About ZonMw
Working with knowledge to boost good health for all. That is what the Dutch Organisation for knowledge and innovation in health, healthcare and well-being (ZonMw) is about. That is what unites us, and what drives us. Every single day.
Working with knowledge to boost good health for all
Health is a major asset. We all want to be as healthy as possible and have access to good care and support in the Netherlands when we need it the most. But the system is under pressure. This is due to a variety of factors. What we need is innovation in health, healthcare and well-being. ZonMw contributes to these goals with a focus on knowledge infrastructures, knowledge development and specific attention to the use of this knowledge in everyday practice.
In short: we use knowledge to improve public health.
Innovations in health, healthcare and well-being can help us live healthier lives and prevent us from getting sick, lead to new treatments and medicines, and achieve transitions to a future-proof system of prevention, care and well-being. Our health is becoming increasingly interwoven with broader societal topics, such as improving our living environment and narrowing the health gap. Knowledge is needed to take the necessary steps towards achieving these goals. We need to harness the full range of the knowledge chain, from fundamental research to implementation projects, and that requires close cooperation between all kinds of sectors and organisations.
Connecting force that drives innovation and improvement
ZonMw works closely with a broad group of partners, including policymakers, citizens and people with lived experience, prevention, healthcare and welfare professionals, researchers, educators and entrepreneurs. Together we can make a difference, and so we focus on three core activities.
The core activities of ZonMw
Programming and funding
Together with our contractors and partners, we determine which knowledge and activities are needed, we design a programme for them and we fund the development and utilisation of that knowledge as well as the creation of the required knowledge infrastructures. We can see the bigger picture and involve various disciplines and fields of practice.
Connecting and conveying
ZonMw connects people and organisations around content, process and outcome. We bring people together and promote cooperation and dialogue with and between our partners. Above all, we ensure that the generated knowledge is conveyed and effectively utilised in the appropriate practical settings.
Identifying and adressing
We identify knowledge gaps and opportunities for innovation in order to improve health, healthcare and well-being and work with our partners to address them, for example through horizon-scanning reports and knowledge agendas.
The outcome: together, we ensure that knowledge has a greater impact in improving health, healthcare and well-being for all. We always do this with our core values in mind: meticulous, accessible, proactive and, of course, connecting. Because we can only contribute to a world in which good health is available for all if we work together.
Our contractors
Our main contractors are the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport and the Dutch Research Council. Other government ministries – whether or not in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport – also commission programmes at ZonMw. Examples are the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management in the area of microplastics, climate and health or the Ministry of Justice and Security and the Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations in the area of people with challenging behaviour.
In addition, we have several (co-) funders in programmes such as (health) funds and Health~Holland. With co-funders, we not only fund and programme together but we also jointly harmonise other processes, such as socially responsible licensing and how to enhance impact. Besides which, we make use of each other's networks to ensure that the results of projects can be further developed. And we are a partner in international programmes that receive their funding from the European Commission. ZonMw plays an active role in these as a stakeholder in governance organisation and the drawing up of international strategic research and innovation agendas, funding, training and communication.
International
Many of the issues we now face in healthcare are not unique to the Netherlands. ZonMw therefore also carefully examines the important international issues and whether we can collaborate on these with other parties. That allows us to consolidate knowledge and resources to solve these issues.
As a partner, we contribute to various initiatives, some of which are funded by the European Commission. ZonMw plays an active role in these as a stakeholder in the establishment of the governance and the drawing up of international strategic research and innovation agendas, funding, training and communication.
You can also submit proposals to various international funding rounds via ZonMw.
Independent government body
ZorgOnderzoek Nederland (Care Research Netherlands, Dutch abbreviation: ZON) was established by law in 1998 (ZON Act). Since 2001, there has been a partnership between ZON and the Medical Sciences (Dutch abbreviation: MW) domain of the Dutch Research Council (NWO). This partnership is called ZonMw and constitutes an independent self-governing organisation.