English
The Blue Route is a networking organisation. Together, we answer research questions and connect organisations that have a connection to salt and fresh water.
About us, goals
More than 70 per cent of the earth’s surface consists of water. Usable water is indispensable for both the economy and nature. It is the basis of our food production, we use it as a carrier of waste flows and transportation, and it is becoming a source of energy and circularity. It is precisely at the vulnerable interface between water and land that we find fertile soil. And it’s here that more and more people live. We depend on water. But water systems are under pressure. Sea levels are rising, climate change is affecting the composition of the ocean, plastic waste is polluting the water, there is a lack of clean drinking water and extreme droughts are becoming more frequent. A healthy and safe future requires research into solutions for this pressing theme. Because we need to protect water and protect ourselves from it. In the Netherlands and many other vulnerable areas worldwide.
The Blue Route (Blauwe Route) is an informal network organisation. We answer socially relevant research questions and connect organisations dealing with salt and fresh water. Together, we want to better understand the relationships between living and non-living processes in all the world’s water systems. We develop new technologies, production systems and living and working spaces to use water sustainably.
Team
The Blue Route aims to better understand, use, and protect water in oceans, seas, deltas, and rivers. For safe and healthy salt and fresh water. We have set up a steering committee (kernteam) in which all water sectors are represented. From maritime industry, to marine research, groundwater management, infrastructure, and coastal protection. Together we can increase sustainability worldwide, while maintaining well-being and prosperity.
Dutch Research Agenda
The National Science Agenda (NWA) brings science closer to society. The NWA was created through an innovative process with the input of citizens and scientists. The aim of the NWA is to use knowledge to make a positive, structural contribution to tomorrow’s society, by building bridges today and working together to create scientific and societal impact.
There are annual funding rounds for research on routes by consortia (NWA-ORC). The aim of the NWA-ORC programme is to stimulate innovative, demand-driven research. NWO asks the route networks to present themes that fit the questions from society and also stand out from research in other programmes. NWO offers the route network the chance to describe the theme and stakeholder support for new research directions every two years.
A key requirement of this funding instrument is that participants must be part of a consortium. Research is carried out by broad, interdisciplinary consortia covering the entire knowledge chain, each from their own expertise. Thus, citizens, scientists, non-profit organisations, companies, and industries can contribute to the solution of scientific or societal issues, build a network and acquire new knowledge and use it for further development.
Per route, €6.5 million is available every two years for ORC research within one theme. This guaranteed Blue Route funding, in which all relevant parties are represented, makes it possible to work on the most relevant societal questions in the near future. NWO organises collaborative workshops for each theme. These workshops are intended for all expert parties who can contribute to forming a consortium, such as researchers, companies, public-private civil society organisations and interest groups. NWO wants to use these workshops to encourage new collaborations and facilitate the development of consortia. This approach contributes to less competition and lower application pressure.
Check our projects (in Dutch) >
More information
Contact the Blue Route support team.