The European embedding of the Netherlands aeronautics sector becomes gradually more important. The Netherlands industry exports its products to international customers, among which is Airbus. The knowledge institutes frequently carry out projects in association with their European colleagues through which they reinforce their knowledge base and market share. Universities cooperate with growing intensity with their foreign counterparts. The Netherlands government is closely linked to Europe through policy frameworks that are defined by the European Union (EU).

NIVR facilitates the government, the industry and the infrastructure. NIVR focuses on core topics. For aviation these are: systems, components and materials for airplane construction, airplane and airspace use, maintenance repair and overhaul and air traffic control.
In this, due attention is given to strengthening the position of the Netherlands SMEs.

The national research requirements are collected by NIVR which abstracts a generally accepted view. Our experts subsequently carry over this Netherlands position to Europe looking to embed the Netherlands position within the European Research Agenda. An example of this process is the research required for airplane maintenance and modifications. Originating from the Netherlands programme “Maintenance Valley” NIVR has put this subject in Brussels on the agenda. The proposal is that implementation of environmentally friendly technologies on the existing fleet has a high pay-off when compared to the introduction of such technologies on aircraft that are still in a development stage.

Also for the large European PPP initiatives such as SESAR and Clean Sky, NIVR recommends the government and tries to extend the Netherlands contribution. SESAR is aimed at the implementation of new air traffic control concepts for a single European Sky (SES). The objective is a more efficient division of the European airspace in order to accommodate the expected growth of air traffic. Clean Sky reduces the step between research and application of environment friendly technology for new generations of aircraft.

NIVR plays a vital role in the realisation of connections between the Netherlands aerospace sector and the Seventh Framework Program.
Through the Seventh Framework Program and other programmes, the European Commission stimulates research and technology development. By means of general information meetings, NIVR informs interested parties about the possibilities of the framework program. Afterwards, NIVR facilitates the national interested parties by providing them with information.

NIVR takes part in several essential international organisations in aviation (ACARE). NIVR is also active together with other European governments to better harmonise between the several national programme’s. For that purpose we are partner in several EU-projects such as: AirTN.

Additional information

Further information on the Framework Programme and other European initiatives can be found on the following websites:

• The Internet site of SenterNovem EG Liaision (Site is in Dutch)
• The Internet site of Seventh Framework Program,
• Information system of the European Commission with information on all research activities,
• Information on SESAR.