The Knowledge and Innovation Agenda (KIA) for Key Enabling Technologies, in collaboration with the extensive innovation ecosystem of businesses, knowledge institutions, and government, is developing ten action agendas that materialize the ambitions of the National Technology Strategy (NTS). These action agendas focus on technologies that will shape our future—from quantum and AI to biotechnology, photonics, and semiconductors. In this letter, we at KIA Key Enabling Technologies provide an update to the Ministry of Economic Affairs on the status of the action agendas.

Read the letter (Dutch)

Action Agenda Update

The action agendas are on schedule. They contain innovation programs (and coalitions) that will be completed by the end of 2025 and presented nationally on January 26, 2026. This will mark the start of implementation towards the NTS ambitions for 2035.

Challenges

Conversations with all stakeholders in the action agendas have identified four major challenges that require explicit choices:

  • Funding: current resources are fragmented and insufficient for our shared ambitions.
  • Organization: strong, cohesive innovation ecosystems are crucial.
  • Role of the government: as a regulator and guide, but also as a launch customer for new applications.
  • Labor market: without sufficient technical talent, growth will remain limited.

This is essential to incorporate into the parties' election manifestos. Only then can we set a course: are we investing enough, creating markets, and training sufficient talent? The answers will determine whether the Netherlands remains a technological leader – or loses ground.