Strategic collaborative alliances

The organisations for applied research (Deltares, MARIN, NLR, TNO, Wageningen Research (WR) foundation), united in the TO2 Federation, provide a link between knowledge and innovation in the service of the government, the trade and industry sector and society. They generate solutions for issues, thus providing the Dutch industrial sector with a competitive edge and contributing to a safe, sustainable living environment for citizens.

• View the TO2 Impact Magazine
• More information can be found on to2-federatie.nl.

The four universities join forces within the 4TU-federation to increase and pool technological expertise. The goal is to deliver sufficient well-educated engineers and technical designers to conduct socially relevant, internationally authoritative research and foster continued collaboration between research institutes and businesses.

The 4TU universities are: TU Delft, Technical University Eindhoven, Twente University and Wageningen University & Research. More information can be found on 4tu.nl

Eindhoven University of Technology, Wageningen University & Research, Utrecht University and the University Medical Center (UMC) Utrecht collaborate intensively in a knowledge alliance. The focus of this collaboration will be on young, highly talented academics and on those subject fields that are able to generate most impact, e.g. strengthening system transitions in the fields of energy, nutrition, health and the circular society. In addition to academic collaboration among the institutions, a wide range of external partners will be involved.

The motto of the collaboration is "Challenging Future Generations". More information can be found on ewuu.nl.

In 2050, almost the Earth's population is expected to reach nearly 10 billion. To ensure all these people have a healthy life and access to healthy and sustainably produced food, groundbreaking technologies are needed. OnePlanet considers chip technology and digital technology as crucial factors in reaching solutions.

OnePlanet Research Center is a multidisciplinaty collaboration between the imec R&D centre for nano and digital technology, Radboud University, Radboudumc and Wageningen University & Research. More information can be found on oneplanetresearch.com

Foodvalley is the knowledge-intensive agrifood ecosystem of the Netherlands. As a knowledge leader, Foodvalley aims to play a central role in searching for a solution to the increasing demand for healthy and sustainable nutrition. Within the Foodvalley ecosystem, with its heart in and around Wageningen, large and smaller businesses and knowledge institutes have collaborated for many years towards innovative technical solutions.

Wageningen University & Research is involved in Foodvalley 2030 as one of its larger stakeholders. WUR's focus is on innovation, entrepreneurship (StartLife), facilities & equipment (Shared Research Facilities) and bustle on Wageningen Campus. More information can be found on foodvalley.nl.

Amsterdam Institute for Advanced Metropolitan Solutions (AMS Institute) is an internationally leading institute where talent is educated and engineers, designers, and both natural and social scientists jointly develop and valorise integrated metropolitan solutions. The mission of AMS Institute is to develop a deep understanding of the city – sense the city – to design solutions for its challenges, and integrate these into the city of Amsterdam. This is done through three main activities: education, research & valorisation, and data.

Together with Delft University and Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Wageningen University & Research is the academic heart of AMS Institute. More information can be found on the website of AMS Institute.

Wageningen University & Research is a partner of the Netherlands Centre for One Health (NCOH), an initiative that brings together leading Dutch academic research institutes in an open innovation network operating in the field of One Health.

The aim of NCOH is to develop an integrated approach to the global risks of infectious diseases, and long-term solutions to major social challenges relating to human and animal health, healthy wild fauna and ecosystems. NCOH focuses its research and continuous knowledge development on four themes: antibiotic resistance, emerging infectious diseases, smart livestock farming and healthy ecosystems. More information can be found on the website of NCOH. 

Groenpact is a collaborative network and innovation platform for the green sector in the Netherlands. It brings together government, education, industry organisations, and knowledge institutions to address societal challenges in areas such as climate, food, and biodiversity.

The aim is to maintain sustainable competitive strength by renewing education, promoting practice-oriented research, and transferring knowledge to professional practice, with transitions taking place in both rural and urban areas.

WUR collaborates with Groenpact to strengthen knowledge transfer, support major societal (transition) challenges, and increase the impact of research outcomes on vocational education and professional practice. Read more on Groenpact.nl.