Why a Dutch Biology Council?

Dutch biology is increasingly well organised. However, an umbrella organisation that stands up for the broad interests of (academic) biology was still missing. Biology research and education in the Netherlands are among the world’s best in their entirety and should remain so. The Dutch Biology Council aims to realise even better harmonisation between existing bodies and achieve cross-institutional plans.

Precision control of plant architecture: Colour intensity represents tissue-specific regulation of a plant hormone that controls development. Photo: Jesse Küpers
What we aim for

The Dutch Biology Council has the objective to safeguard the interests of biology in the Netherlands in the areas of scientific research and academic education. In addition, the Council communicates the importance of fundamental and applied research in biology to society. The council has an advisory and signalling role and strives for an effective use of resources for the benefit of Dutch scientific research and academic education in biology.

The pieces of the CRISPR puzzle fall into place. Photo: Stan J. Brouns
How do we do that?

The Council considers the creation of support among stakeholders for its work of great importance and therefore always seeks contact with other organisations involved in biology. 

Insets from top to bottom: Gilles van Wezel (UL), Geert de Snoo (NIOO), Stanley Brul (UvA). Photo from left to right: Jacintha Ellers (VU), Richard Visser (WUR), Ton Groothuis (RUG), Roy Erkens (MU), Laura van Niftrik (RU), Rens Voesenek (UU, chair), Liesbeth Noor (UU, secretary).

By accelerating and expanding basic biological research, we expedite meeting the great challenges of our time.

Latest news

Sector Plan granted!

Last week, Minister Dijkgraaf agreed to a structural investment in biology education and research of €16.7 million a year! In...

In memoriam: Rens Voesenek

Co-founder of the Dutch Biology Council, Prof Rens Voesenek, passed away on Tuesday 28 March at the age of 65....

Entire Sector Plan submitted to NCSP

The entire Sectorplan for the Beta II sector (Earth and Environmental Sciences, Astronomy, Biology, Pharmaceutical Sciences and Computer Sciences) has...