Universities may be able to tap into a public R&D investment fund sooner than they think, Education minister Ingrid van Engelshoven told Eindhovens Dagblad. Previously, management from Eindhoven University of Technology had expressed their disappointment about the size of the planned budget increase for their institution. “I recommend the TUE to start drawing up research proposals. If these demonstrably show good prospects, the TUE certainly stands a chance of getting funded,” Van Engelshoven said.
The notion of a national investment fund for research and development, among other things, was first floated in August. The fund is mentioned in the Budget Memorandum (Miljoenennota) presented last week, but no details about the size or scope are provided.