NETHERLANDS
Organisation:
The Netherlands Organisation for Health Research and Development
(ZonMw)
Background information on the organisation:
 Innovation requires knowledge and its implementation. The Netherlands
Organisation for Health Research and Development (ZonMw) funds health
research in order to gain new knowledge and stimulates implementation in
order to develop the evidence base of health care practice. Scientific
excellence and societal relevance are equally important for selecting grant
proposals by competitive mechanisms.
 ZonMw is a self governing organisation established by Dutch law. ZonMw
acts as an independent intermediary between government on the one side
and performing organisations at the other, thereby besides funding
providing a two-way policy and communication exchange.
 www.zonmw.eu
Annual research budget:
Our annual budget fluctuates. On the average between 2005-2011 our annual
budget amounts to 161.3 million euro.
Stem cell budget:
Allocated: 22 M€ programme Translational Adult Stemcell Research
Funding of stem cell research is also possible in TOP grants
(http://www.zonmw.nl/en/programmes/all-programmes/top-grants/) and in the
Innovational Research Incentive Scheme
(http://www.zonmw.nl/en/programmes/all-programmes/innovational-researchincentive-scheme/)
Stem cell strategy:
 ZonMw Position paper on research with adult stem cells (2008 Dutch only,
translation expected 2009).This was followed by the launch of a funding
program for translational research with adult stem cells supported by the
ministry of Health (brochure downloadable from www.zonmw.nl).
 Royal Academy of Arts and Sciences published a strategy paper on
regenerative medicine in The Netherlands in 2009: “Well Underway.
Opportunities for regenerative medicine in the Netherlands”
(http://www.knaw.nl/smartsite.dws?lang=ENG&id=26103&pub=20091042)
Key stem cell centres/investments
Translational Adult Stem Cell Research Programme.
Funding programme that aims to to promote clinical research into adult stem cell
applications after thorough pre-clinical translational research. Up to now 11
projects have been funded in which stem cell approaches for a variety of diseases
are investigated. http://www.zonmw.nl/en/programmes/all-
programmes/translational-research/translational-adult-stem-cell-research/
The Netherlands Institute for Regenerative Medicine (NIRM). The Netherlands
Institute for Regenerative Medicine (NIRM), is an innovative and integrative life
sciences research and development program. It is comprised of two formerly
existing research consortia in The Netherlands: Stem Cells in Development and
Disease (SCDD) and the Dutch Program for Tissue Engineering (DPTE).
Integration of these consortia in NIRM combines cutting-edge research in stem
cell biology with advances in tissue engineering, so as to improve existing and
create novel regenerative medical treatments. Together, these biomedical
research fields involving cells and biomaterials will lead to innovative approaches
to promote the regeneration of damaged or diseased tissues and organs.
BioMedical Materials program – BMM (2007-2012)
BMM is a public-private partnership with a research budget of M€ 90, which aims
to further strengthen the world-leading position of the Netherlands in the field of
biomedical materials and applications. BMM is an initiative of leading Dutch
industrial players, SMEs, a charity foundation, academia, and a research institute.
Goal is to develop biomedical materials that fulfill the demand for better medical
treatment. www.biomedicalmaterialsprogram.nl
Leiden University Medical Center; Theme Regenerative Medicine (www.lumc.nl)
Regenerative Medicine focuses on the functional regeneration of damaged organs
and tissues by using (properties of) natural tissues and cells. The aim of the
current research theme is to synergistically exploit our current knowledge in the
area of fundamental and translational stem cells biology to develop novel
therapeutic modalities in the field of regenerative medicine.
These research efforts comprise technology platforms in the area of ex-vivo
expansion, genetic modification and in-vivo imaging of stem cells as well as the
development of novel stem cells cellular therapies under GMP conditions. These
efforts will have a strong national and international connection through the
participation in large scale national and European initiatives.
Hubrecht Institute
The Hubrecht Institute is a research institute of the Royal Netherlands Academy
of Arts and Sciences (KNAW). Research at the Hubrecht Institute focuses on
developmental biology and stem cells at the organismal, cellular, genetic,
genomic and proteomic level. Basic insight into development and into stem cells
will provide insight into (human) disease, such as cancer.
http://www.hubrecht.eu/index.html
Erasmus Stem Cell Institute for Regenerative Medicine
The Erasmus Stem Cell Institute for Regenerative Medicine (ESI) has a strong
commitment to fundamental and translational research that will facilitate stem
cell therapies and innovative medical advances in the Erasmus MC.
http://www.erasmusmc.nl/medical_genetics/esi/?
Groningen Stem Cell Cluster
The Groningen Stem Cell Cluster (GSCC) is a collaboration between various
clinical (Obstetrics, Neurosurgery, Pathology, Neurology, Cardiology) and
preclinical (Cell Biology, Medical Physiology, Developmental Genetics, Medical
Biology) groups within Groningen involved in research on the clinical applicability
of stem cells to combat a wide variety of disorders such as neurological diseases
(Parkinson, MS), cardiovascular disorders, diabetes and renal deficiencies.
Recent research achievements



Snippert, .J., van der Flier, L.G.,... Simons, B.D. and Clevers, H. Intestinal
Crypt Homeostasis results from Neutral Competition between
Symmetrically Dividing Lgr5 Stem Cells. Cell 143:134-44 (2010)-611
(2009)
Boisset JC, van Cappellen W, Andrieu-Soler C, Galjart N, Dzierzak E, Robin
C. In vivo imaging of haematopoietic cells emerging from the mouse aortic
endothelium. Nature. 2010 Mar 4;464(7285):116-20.
Duijvestein M, Vos AC, Roelofs H, Wildenberg ME, Wendrich BB, Verspaget
HW, Kooy-Winkelaar EM, Koning F, Zwaginga JJ, Fidder HH, Verhaar AP,
Fibbe WE, van den Brink GR, Hommes DW. Autologous bone marrowderived mesenchymal stromal cell treatment for refractory luminal Crohn's
disease: results of a phase I study.. Gut. 2010 Dec;59(12):1662-9.
National (or regional) stem cell network or contact point
Dutch Forum for Regenerative Medicine – DutchFoRM (from 2006)
DutchFoRM is a coordinating initiative to stimulate and develop regenerative
medicine as scientific discipline and technology. It is specifically meant to exploit
medical and technological sciences for regenerative medicine applications in
health care and R&D-based biomedical industries. The founding fathers are Dutch
University Medical Centers, Technical Universities, Dutch based industries, and
charity funds. www.dutchform.org
Dutch Society for Stem Cell Research (DSSCR)
The goal of the society is to promote (the quality) of stem cell research and to
propagate knowledge and information on this subject in the Netherlands.
http://dsscr.nl/
Other major funders of stem cell research in your country
Info already available on ISCF website
Helpful web-links:
www.zonmw.nl/en/tas ZonMw stem cell programme