A new nationwide screening for knowledge security will be introduced. The UNL foresees an ‘unworkable quantity’

Whether a Dutch national or not, every researcher that will work with ‘sensitive knowledge’ will have to be screened by Justis, a Government agency. Further, knowledge institutions must keep a list of professional groups and research areas. They will also be issued ‘compulsory reporting’, and have to secure knowledge better. The reason for the new screening is increasing geopolitical tensions, says Minister Eppo Bruins (Ministry of Education, Culture and Science) in the proposed bill that he made known on Monday.

The screening will affect about 40% of researchers who get jobs in science and technology, states the information in the proposed bill. Master’s students will top this list. The costs for the Government will be EUR 15.3 million, plus start-up costs of EUR 7.9 million, says the Minister.

Self screening

For TU Delft, this kind of screening is not new. TU Delft researchers have been screened since 2022. This is primarily done by the researchers who bring them in. In turn, they can obtain advice from the Knowledge Security advisory team at TU Delft. It does some checks and gives advice.

The Minister recognises that the screening process will be more complicated and expensive at technical universities than at other academic institutions. Bruins had previously said: “I imagine that TU Delft has more sensitive technology than the Meertens Institute (which researches language and culture, Eds.).” The Bill estimates the costs at EUR 8.1 per year and a one-time cost of EUR 32 million.

Not doable

Universities of The Netherlands (UNL), the umbrella organisation, foresees problems. “The proposed bill will bring an unworkable number of screenings and will make the Netherlands unattractive for international talent, while it is not certain if the law really will ensure greater security,” says Chair Caspar van den Berg in an initial response.

UNL says that screening is expensive for both the Government and the institutions. The Cabinet is not releasing any extra money for this. Quite the opposite, it is economising on higher education and academia. And this while institutions have to put more effort into better securing knowledge.

UNL sees another option, says Chair Van den Berg. For the last few years, anyone with questions about the subject can contact the Government’s Knowledge Security Counter (in Dutch). The umbrella organisation would rather see this Counter authorised to advise on individuals.

HOP, Bas Belleman/Delta, Inger Duursma en Kim Bakker