Strengthening Research at the Dutch ‘Hogescholen’: From Ideas to Institutionalization

In using an ideational approach of policy analysis, this chapter describes and analyses the establishment and institutionalisation of a research function as the second core task of the Dutch universities of applied sciences Universities of Applied Sciences (UAS) in the period 2001–2015. The overarching goal of this structural reform is to contribute to the strengthening of the innovative capacity of the Netherlands by the optimal use of the UAS sector in delivering highly skilled modern graduates and services needed by regional industry and the public sector. At the turn of the millennium, several instruments have been introduced to strengthen the UAS research function such as by means of the introduction of new staff positions at the UAS, grants for practice-oriented research and grants for the establishment of Centres of Expertise. The government provided the funding for these initiatives through additional budgets, alongside the operational basic grant, initially as temporary funding, and independent national agencies were established to manage the reform initiatives. In the 15 years since the first steps were taken, the research function of UAS has obtained a structural and indispensable position in Dutch higher education. In this respect, the structural reform has been successful. Nonetheless, in the chapter, a number of critical observations are being made.