Economic Affairs Minister Maria van der Hoeven and Education Minister Ronald Plasterk have announced that around 135 million euros will be spent over the next 18 months on a programme to keep 1,472 knowledge workers in employment in the Netherlands.

By Jennifer Evans, Expatica

The programme is aimed at preventing a brain drain from Dutch businesses that are forced to cut back on man hours due to the economic crisis.
 

The ministers noted that companies cutting back on research could lead to a loss of research capacity which may not be easy to rebuild after the crisis. The programme will allow knowledge workers to take on a second position outside of their current job in the private sector. They will be hired as researchers for 128 projects in universities and large technology institutions.

According to the Economic Affairs Ministry's Netherlands Foreign Investment Agency, during the 18-month period knowledge workers will focus on themes of social importance such as health care and the use of lightweight materials in vehicles to reduce energy consumption.
 

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Major companies with approved projects include Daf Trucks, Philips, Corus, DSM, ASML and Fuji Film. An application from the independent research institute TNO and the construction sector was also accepted. More than 90 applications from small and medium-sized enterprises have been given the green light.

In total, 180 million euros will be available. Companies and institutions can register for the second round of funding worth 45 million euros in late September.