Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research

The Dutch Research Council (NWO Dutch: Nederlandse Organisatie voor Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek) is the national research council of the Netherlands. NWO funds thousands of top researchers at universities and institutes and steers the course of Dutch science by means of subsidies and research programmes. NWO promotes quality and innovation in science. NWO is an independent administrative body under the auspices of the Dutch Ministry of Education, Culture and Science. The organisation receives about 400 million euros per year, of which approximately 300 million comes directly from the ministry. NWO directs the 300 million budget toward Dutch universities and institutes, often on a project basis. Also, the NWO has its own institutes. NWO is also known for the annual Spinoza Prizes, and the National Science Quiz for Dutch television. Nijmegen professor Stan Gielen is president of NWO as of October 2016. Former NWO presidents include Peter Nijkamp en Jos Engelen.