Working in an international context

International perspective
Science in the Netherlands is strongly influenced by the international perspective. Dutch scientists work on the basis of the international literature, collaborate with scientists in other countries and draw on international funds to finance their work. The knowledge we use in the Netherlands is no longer purely home-grown. We benefit from knowledge developed abroad, just as other countries benefit from the results of Dutch scientists. And that is just as it should be, since we all face the same diseases, albeit with a few regional differences.

Internationalisation at ZonMw
ZonMw’s programmes focus largely on Dutch science and Dutch health care. However, they draw increasingly on knowledge and experience from other countries. There is no point reinventing the wheel in the Netherlands when someone has done it for us elsewhere. We do of course look at international knowledge with a critical eye to assess whether it is applicable to the situation in this country. Conversely, we have also noted a growing interest from other countries in our work and results, prompted partly by our unique formula. While we foster and fund the entire chain of knowledge development, from fundamental research to implementation, similar organisations in other countries fund either medical research or developments in health care.

International collaboration
Increasingly, ZonMw seeks partners in other countries. We coordinate and learn from each others’ experiences at European level, in particular, but also on a global scale (WHO). Some programmes include direct collaboration with colleagues abroad. For example, ZonMW coordinates programming for nine European countries in the fields of Priority Medicines for Children and Rare Diseases. And researchers in the ZonMw programme on addiction also work closely with the US National Institute on Drug Abuse.

Participate, facilitate, complement
ZonMw works for the international coordination of national health research programmes, for investment in our strong points in order to raise the Netherlands’ international profile, and for Dutch success in the competition for international funding. We refer to this as ‘participate, facilitate, complement’. Intensive international participation allows us to exercise our influence, thus ensuring that international programmes tie in with Dutch strengths or needs. Facilitation involves encouraging Dutch scientists and helping them face the international competition so that they can derive full benefit from international funds. In seeking to complement, ZonMw ensures that it does not do what others are already doing, but that its work ties in with that of other Dutch organisations operating in the same field at international level.