NWO to ask scientists about the harm they might inflict

When submitting a research proposal, researchers have to tell NWO what kind of societal and scientific impact their research could have. From now on, they will have to answer an additional question: What kind of harm could their research inflict? 

The answer will be factored in when assessing the application. In other words, applicants who don’t reflect enough about the possible consequences of their studies will have a smaller chance of securing funding from NWO.

NWO will also have a more critical look at its own collaborations with "third parties". The organisation announced: “The public debate surrounding scientific collaborations with companies has caused NWO to re-examine its current policy and take these steps."

Climate, China, Israel
Climate activists have fiercely opposed collaborations between scientists and the business community. They are particularly critical of partnerships with fossil fuel companies and believe all ties with this industry should be cut. 

Collaborations with Chinese scientists also raise suspicions: What does that country do with the knowledge acquired here? For instance, working with the Chinese on a project about facial recognition could come at the expense of activists in that country.

Most recently, collaborations with Israeli universities and companies have come under scrutiny. According to critics, those universities and companies contribute to the violence against Palestinians.

No sponsors
NWO doesn’t explicitly mention any of these topics, but Executive Board member Jan de Boer says that “social debates about academic collaborations with other parties or the unwanted influence of others on science” were part of the reason for reflecting on this kind of collaboration. “That also means that we are thinking even more carefully about undesirable consequences scientific research might have and we try to limit them as much as possible.” 

NWO wants to raise more “awareness” within the organisation and among researchers. For example, the financing body will “stop accepting sponsorship funds for the organisation of events”. 

Framework
NWO has introduced a framework (a brief checklist) for third-party cooperation, which scientists can use. It includes the question: “Can there be dual use of research results and what applications are conceivable?” In other words, can others use the outcomes of your research for military purposes?

NWO also includes an "exit clause" in its agreements, making it easier to prematurely terminate a collaboration “considering there are, by definition, risks associated with collaborating with a third party”.