Over the next four years the FNR will have a ceiling of €445m which it will use to implement its national research and innovation (R&I) strategy, adopted by the government in 2019. The fund will look to invest in the development of a first-class research and innovation system. It will feature flagship projects in categories such as: digital healthcare, future financial technologies, 21st century education as well as climate and energy challenges.
"Society's expectations are that research should produce knowledge that, in the long term, will have a positive impact on the quality of life of people, economic diversification and sustainable development. Thus, a key element of the FNR's strategy is the integration of the needs, values, and expectations of societal stakeholders into research activities," said Marc Schiltz, CEO of the FNR.
The FNR will also aim to strengthen already present national R&I systems by investing in investigator-driven research programmes and international scientific collaboration. Transparency in the science sector and a positive research culture will be the main priorities of the fund for the upcoming four-year period.
In addition to that, efforts will be made to reinforce science communication, science education and public awareness as well as the importance of evidence-based public debate and policymaking.
"The pandemic and the climate crisis have highlighted the critical role of research and science communication. With its new strategic plan, the FNR contributes to the implementation of Luxembourg's national research and innovation strategy," said Martine Reicherts, chair of the FNR board.