Within the “Research on Routes through Consortia” (ORC) program line of the National Science Agenda (NWA), eleven consortia will receive funding in the 2025 round. VU University Amsterdam is the lead institution for one project and is participating in nine others.
In these projects, researchers collaborate with knowledge partners and civil society organizations. In this way, knowledge is developed and utilized to jointly achieve scientific and societal impact.
New Symmetries and Synergies: Connecting Science and Society - by mathematician Christian Bick
The New Symmetries (NewSym) consortium brings together mathematicians, theoretical physicists, and experimental scientists to uncover new types of symmetry and their mathematical structure across all scales of nature. Moving beyond traditional geometric patterns, symmetry emerges at spacetime boundaries, structures quantum gravity, and shapes soft active matter and novel materials. By identifying structural commonalities of new symmetries in systems across scales, the project not only contributes to understanding the fundamental physical laws of our world but also drives innovations in efficient computation and advanced materials design.
The project integrates broad public engagement into its core scientific plan, NewSym connects fundamental research with society. Through the Symmetry Spotted citizen science initiative, the public helps photograph and classify everyday symmetries in nature and architecture. Together with Platform Wiskunde Nederland and the Association of Mathematics Teachers (NVvW) NewSym builds bridges between STEM research and secondary education with as goal to inspire young audiences. And partnerships with the Rijksakademie voor Beeldende Kunsten and the Kunstmuseum Den Haag / Museum Escher in het Paleis bring together science and the visual arts through artist fellowships, research on the Dutch artist M.C. Escher, and public arts events and exhibitions.
Together, these initiatives build a lasting dialogue between cutting-edge science, education, and culture.
In addition, VU Amsterdam is participating in the following nine research projects:
Circular Alignment of Objects Redundant In Energy-systems (CALORIE) – led by Jeroen Jansen (Radboud University Nijmegen)
CALORIE helps the Netherlands use scarce strategic and critical raw materials in batteries, cables, and electric motors more efficiently and intelligently. Using new measurement methods, digital product passports, and smart computational models, the project identifies which components are still usable. This enables businesses and citizens to make better choices regarding reuse, repair, or recycling. This strengthens the energy transition, reduces waste, and makes the Netherlands less dependent on imports of scarce raw materials.
Transforming Toys through Materials, Design, and Behavior (TOYS) – by Chris Slootweg (University of Amsterdam)
TOYS helps make toys safer, more sustainable, and circular. The project develops new polymers and additives that take child safety, environmental impacts, reuse, and recycling into account from the very beginning. Researchers combine these materials with circular product design, digital product information, and new possibilities for repair, sharing, passing on, and recycling. They also investigate how families, companies, policymakers, and regulations influence the purchase, use, and end-of-life of toys. Together with manufacturers, retailers, consumer organizations, families, and regulators, TOYS is testing these solutions in four demonstrations involving toy products and developing practical guidelines for a safe and circular toy system.
Living Planet – how life and the planet are interdependent and co-evolving: an interdisciplinary approach – by Martijn Egas (University of Groningen)
Life and the Earth have shaped each other throughout history. While conditions on Earth influence how life evolves, living organisms also alter the climate, the atmosphere, and the geology. This project studies this reciprocal relationship in the past, present, and future. By combining biology, geology, and planetary science, researchers aim to understand how Earth’s conditions affect the element cycles of organisms and communities, how life influences chemical and rock cycles, how this alters planetary conditions, and what traces of life this leaves behind. This knowledge helps predict the future of Earth and search for life beyond Earth.
MobilityReset - Reimagining the drivers of climate-neutral mobility - by Lóri Tavasszy (Delft University of Technology)
In the mobility and logistics sectors, achieving climate goals seems like an impossible task. Causes include entrenched habits in mobility and business models in logistics, limited collaboration with family members and colleagues, poor acceptance of policy measures, and uncertainty about innovative technology. The MobilityReset project aims to break down barriers in the behavior of individuals and companies, bringing climate-neutral mobility one step closer. To this end, researchers from the social, economic, and engineering sciences are working closely with coalitions of companies, citizens, and governments to generate new knowledge and put it directly into practice through living labs.
Human and Artificial Intelligence Advancing Quantum Technology (HAIQ) – by Evert van Nieuwenburg (Leiden University)
Quantum technology is on the rise and promises efficiency that surpasses that of classical systems. However, these fragile quantum systems require stabilization—a task too complex for humans alone. Advanced AI systems will play a crucial role in this. Although both society at large and current AI systems still lack “quantum intuition,” humans do possess creative insights into these kinds of complex problems. HAIQ bridges this gap through quantum games, in which humans and AI collaborate to refine systems. This collaboration not only accelerates the development of quantum technology but also gives society a sense of ownership over our quantum future.
TRANSWATER - Transition framework for sustainable and clean water for future generations - by Thom Bogaard (Delft University of Technology)
Sufficient clean water is essential for people and nature. We need more and more water as the population and economy grow. However, climate change is leading to more frequent periods of heat and drought, which in turn is degrading water quality. TRANSWATER is collaborating with experts and citizens to investigate how we can maintain sufficient quantities of good-quality water in lakes, rivers, and the groundwater. The project examines both legal and ethical aspects, as well as the health risks to people and nature. TRANSWATER will propose practical solutions to ensure that the Netherlands continues to have sufficient high-quality water in the future.
RESOLVE: Resolving the impasse between water, nature, and agriculture —by Lisette de Senerpont Domis (Netherlands Institute of Ecology)
Climate change, drought, pollution, and the growing demand for space and water are placing increasing pressure on the Dutch landscape. RESOLVE develops practical solutions to break the impasse between water, nature, and agriculture and to create healthy water landscapes where people, agriculture, and nature can thrive. Researchers bring together knowledge about water, land, nature, and society and test new approaches in practice. Local stakeholders help develop and improve these approaches. RESOLVE distinguishes itself by linking local experiences to changes at the national level. Researchers, farmers, water and nature managers, policymakers, and citizens collaborate throughout the entire knowledge chain.
ROOTS1000—Research on Opportunities for Optimal Thriving and Scalability in the First 1,000 Days —by Zemzem Shigute (Erasmus University Rotterdam)
ROOTS1000 investigates how effective interventions for maternal and child health in low- and middle-income countries can be scaled up. The project expands existing partnerships in Kenya, South Africa, Pakistan, Indonesia, and Ethiopia. ROOTS1000 builds on a proven integrated care approach to better integrate and scale up interventions related to maternal mental health, obstetric care, nutrition, and early childhood development within local health systems and their financing structures. Through co-creation with local communities, the project bridges the gap between evidence-based interventions and the daily practice of health care systems, enabling many more children and mothers to thrive during the first 1,000 days.
SHIELD: Social Media’s Harmful Impact and Effective Long-term Depolarization —by Sanne Kruikemeier (Wageningen University & Research)
Social media can spread misinformation, hate, and social division. At the same time, not every difference of opinion is harmful. Healthy debate is an essential part of a well-functioning democracy. SHIELD investigates the extent to which and under what circumstances social media contributes to harmful polarization—for example, regarding climate change, immigration, and identity issues—and what is needed to counteract this. Within the SHIELD consortium, societal partners—including civil society organizations, policy and advisory councils, educational partners, and media and broadcasting organizations—citizens, and researchers are working together to develop structural, long-term solutions that contribute to a resilient democratic society.
Collective Effort for Innovation and Collaboration
The projects awarded in the 2025 round cover a wide range of topics. The depletion of natural resources, climate change, and the rapid evolution of the digital landscape present us with major challenges. Citizens, scientists, governments, and civil society organizations are therefore joining forces to seek solutions. Each consortium will receive approximately 7.4 million euros.
National Science Agenda Program
The National ScienceAgenda (NWA) emerged from questions posed by citizens about the world and the societal challenges of today and tomorrow. In the NWA program, the connection between science and society is essential. Governments, researchers, civil society organizations, and citizens bring together diverse perspectives and expertise to develop and apply knowledge for societal and scientific impact. Through science communication, this knowledge is shared with society to increase engagement with and trust in science.