The Netherlands is cutting spending on scientific research by 10% over the next four years, the Volkskrant reports on Thursday, quoting the Rathenau Institute.

By 2016, the state will invest €4.4n in research, down 4% on 2012 and €700m down on 2010, the institute says. The drop is ‘stronger than had been expected,’ said the institute, which looks at political and public opinion about science and technology.
The institute says the reduction in spending is due to generic cuts, shifts in cash between ministries, the loss of natural gas income (which used to be earmarked for R&D) and a transfer of responsibilities to industry.
The overall reduction will not be offset by the cabinet’s new Top Sector initiative, which offers companies investing in innovation some €500m in tax breaks