Collaborate with WUR

What does it involve? 

You engage WUR to carry out research tailored to a specific challenge. Together, we design a research project to meet your goals. WUR conducts the research independently according to our scientific standards, in close collaboration with your organisation, with clear agreements on timelines, costs, and ownership.

Key characteristics:

• Fully funded by your organisation
• Tailored to your specific research question (custom solutions, validation, complex issues)
• Confidentiality agreements possible
• (Partial) transfer of intellectual property negotiable
• Fast project initiation – not dependent on public funding

When is this relevant? 

When you need reliable insights or data in the short term to support product development, risk assessment or strategic decision-making. 

What does it involve? 

In a PPP, your organisation collaborates with WUR and other partners (such as companies, industry bodies or governments) on complex, shared challenges. Both the content and funding of the project are jointly developed.

Key characteristics:

• Co-funded: partly through public funding (subsidies), partly by PPP partners (cash or in-kind)
• Typically runs for 2 to 4 years
• Shared decision-making on research agenda
• Access to a professional innovation network with a shared purpose
• Greater insights by pooling expertise and resources
• Dependent on subsidy approval – may delay project start and carries some uncertainty

When is this relevant? 

When you want to invest collaboratively in (pre-competitive) research on themes such as sustainability, supply chain innovation or system transitions — together with other companies and stakeholders.

What does it involve? 

WUR regularly develops new research proposals on emerging or urgent themes. Through a ‘call for partners’, we invite companies to join as co-developers and co-funders.

Key characteristics:

• You join during the project development phase
• WUR initiates the proposal but there is room to align it with your ideas and wishes
• Often linked to national or EU funding programmes, allowing you to join a large-scale project with a relatively small investment

When is this relevant? 

When you want to engage early with research topics aligned with your strategic goals and gain access to joint funding opportunities. 

What does it involve? 

The WUR Fast Track offers innovative starters or SMEs support with their innovation process. We act as a knowledge partner.

Key characteristics:

• We match your question with the portfolio of WUR.
• Together we decide your innovation needs and inventorize potential solutions.
• Afterwards, you have been helped further with your request and you will know your way around WUR.

When is this relevant? 

If you are looking for independent knowledge, want to test your innovation within our facilities or are looking for other support.

• Interested? Register here with your question.