Fundamental, application-oriented and applied research is conducted within the domain of ‘healthy food and living environment’ at Wageningen University. Research is conducted by the 92 chair groups of Wageningen University, nine research institutes and a range of expertise centres that work together with other national and international universities, research institutes and the business community. The scientific quality of Wageningen University is assured by Wageningen Graduate Schools and its seven graduate schools. The research institutes enjoy regular visits by international panels.

Fundamental research is mainly the work of university researchers and aims to answer questions arising from the scientific practice itself. Typical of the Wageningen Approach is that scientific processes never stand alone but are always related to social processes. The advancement of fundamental research is of great importance in achieving technical breakthroughs in society-at-large.

Application-oriented research takes place primarily at the research institutes. This type of research focuses partly on developing expertise and products that can be applied within two to five years. The other part of this research supports policy formulation. In general, application-oriented research consists of short-term research assignments commissioned by government, business life or private/public funds. 

Applied research at Wageningen UR has a strong regional orientation. Regional centres are involved
with the application of expertise to answer concrete, application-oriented practical questions. 

Wageningen UR supports the Dutch and European governments in the implementation of rules and regulations that are necessary to assure safe food, healthy animals and a sustainable living environment. Wageningen UR and the Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality have confirmed their collaboration in conducting legal research assignments in an agreement.