National Technology Strategy
The KIA ST focuses on the (continued) development of key enabling technologies. The government channels this through the National Technology Strategy (NTS), which we integrate into the KIA ST approach. The National Technology Strategy consequently enhances the focus on KIA ST programming.
National Technology Strategy and KIA ST
The National Technology Strategy prioritises 10 (key enabling) technologies that:
- make a major contribution to our earning capacity
- are crucial for societal challenges
- are important for national security
- enable Dutch technological leadership
For each priority, the National Technology Strategy formulates one ambition agenda: the dots on the horizon. How can we position the Netherlands in 2035? What is needed to achieve this?
Action agendas and ambitions
The KIA ST builds on the NTS agendas and ambitions. For each technology, we create an action agenda in which we describe, together with all major stakeholders in the field, what the priorities are to further develop this key enabling technology. In doing so, we choose priorities that complement already existing and future initiatives at national (such as the National Growth Fund programmes) and international (such as IPCEIs) levels.
The 10 priority key enabling technologies
In the NTS, ten priority key enabling technologies are identified. These are technologies with a strong base in the Netherlands, which contribute considerably to our earning power, contribute to solving societal challenges and are important for national security.
Optical systems and integrated photonics
Optical systems are engineered systems to refract, reflect or manipulate light to perform particular optical functions. For example, communication is possible using photons as information carriers.
Integrated photonics is the technology that integrates various photonic functions (generation, modulation, sensing, etc.) in a functional photonic chip. .
Quantum technologies
Quantum technologies utilise the dual nature of the smallest particles we know, such as photons, atoms and electrons, as well as similar systems that exhibit quantum properties. They facilitate the quantum computer, quantum communication and quantum sensing, which can be used to find solutions to complex problems.
Process technology, including process intensification
This key enabling technology focuses on the optimal, stable and safe design of (green) chemical production processes. This includes matters such as: scalability, heat integration, safety, optimal downstream processing, space utilisation and cost efficiency. We want to make more use of sustainable raw materials, reduce by-products and waste streams and reuse and recycle them as much as possible.
Biomolecular and cell technologies
Biomolecular and cell technologies fall within the broader field of biotechnology, but the focus here is on molecules and cells. This key technology includes mapping, measuring and using molecules such as DNA, RNA, and proteins/metabolites. Sub-technologies include omics, gene editing, stem cell technology and synthetic cell technology.
Imaging technologies
Imaging technologiesdeal with the generation, collection, duplication, analysis, modification and visualisation of images (optical and non-optical). They involve the integral chain of imaging, requiring both hardware and software. They are widely used in the medical sector, semiconductor industry, security domain, agriculture, industry, traffic and aerospace.
Mechatronics and optomechatronics
Mechatronics involves the integrated design of mechanical systems and associated control and regulation systems and combines physics, mechanical and electrical engineering, and ICT.
Optomechatronics involves the integration of optical technology into mechatronic systems. Optomechatronic systems play an important role in semiconductor manufacturing, scientific instruments, 3D printing, medical equipment, aerospace and robotics.
Artificial intelligence and data
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a systems technology aimed at realising behaviour by machines that resembles natural intelligence. Data science, data analytics and data spaces concern all aspects of collecting, managing, accessing, sharing and analysing data to create value.
Energy materials
Energy materials comprise all materials that facilitate the storage of (sustainably generated) energy, transport it, efficiently capture and transform it into another form of stored energy. They make an essential contribution to the energy and climate transition, for example in wind turbines, batteries or electrolysers.
Semiconductor technologies
Semiconductor technologies concern semiconductor components and/or highly miniaturised electronic subsystems and their integration into larger products and systems. They include the fabrication, design, packaging and testing of semiconductor components into microscale systems that integrate multiple functions on a chip and the development of machines for this purpose.
Cybersecurity technologies
Cyber security technologies focus on the reduction of relevant digital risks, also including dealing with risks of damage or failure of digital systems and the availability, integrity and confidentiality of data. They are aimed at preventing cyber incidents and - when cyber incidents have occurred - detecting them, mitigating damage and making recovery easier.
What is the National Technology Strategy?
Technological innovations and technological entrepreneurship are essential for making the Netherlands more productive, sustainable, healthier and safer. Globally, countries are investing heavily to strengthen their strategic position on technological innovations and value chains.
In order to remain a significant player internationally, keep up with global competition and limit our dependence on others, obtaining and maintaining leadership in strategic technology is important for the Netherlands. The Netherlands increasingly faces space, labour and energy constraints and cannot excel in everything, especially given the emergence of new technologies and international competition. This means that incisive choices need to be made.
The NTS provides pointers for reaching these decisions. The NTS sets out the strengths and challenges for scaling up and developing technologies in the Netherlands and the EU and places technology leadership in the policy context.
