Memorandum of understanding between the Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development of Canada and the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy of the Netherlands, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands and the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science of the Netherlands on collaboration in the fields of science, technology and innovation

The Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development of Canada and the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy of the Netherlands, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands, and the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science of the Netherlands, hereinafter referred to as the "Participants",

Intending to cooperate on science, technology, and innovation (STI);

Considering the Memorandum of Understanding between the National Research Council of Canada and the Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research on Research and Innovation Partnership, signed at The Hague on 24 May 2018, whose objectives were to establish a cooperation framework in the areas of research and development and innovation, and to promote bilateral and multilateral activities;

NOTING the friendship and existing mutually beneficial long-term cooperation between the Participants and organizations, institutions, associations, and business sectors of their respective countries;

Recognizing the importance of cooperation in STI between Canada and the Netherlands;

Considering that cooperation in STI will promote the competitiveness of and societal benefits for the two countries;

Acknowledging the establishment of a Strategic Dialogue at prime ministerial level between Canada and the Netherlands in 2021, under which the framework for the STI Partnership has been established, currently focusing on, but not limited to, three priority areas: energy, food systems, and agricultural technologies and critical raw materials; and key enabling technologies (including semiconductors, photonics and quantum) — with talent and equity, diversity and inclusion as cross-cutting themes;

UNDERSTANDING that strengthening STI ties between Canada and the Netherlands will mutually reinforce each country's respective innovation ecosystems;

Aspiring to develop and strengthen partnerships that ensure both countries' access to leading technologies and scientific advances;

Expressing the intention to cooperate, within the respective mandates of the Participants, on STI and to strengthen bilateral cooperation in areas of mutual interest;

Wishing to encourage partnerships among the business sectors of both countries;

Have come to the following understanding:

1. Purpose

1. The purpose of this Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) is for the Participants to enhance collaboration between their respective government bodies, academia, and industries in the fields of STI.
2. The Participants acknowledge the importance of the principles of independent research, research integrity and research security, research ethics, accessibility of scientific research and knowledge to the public and will support:
   1. the autonomy of organizations, agencies, and institutions in carrying out independent and unbiased research;
   2. standards that promote the integrity of research and innovation outcomes;
   3. open science and open access to scientific publications and research data;
   4. diversity, inclusion, and gender equality in research; and
   5. principles of ethical research, such as preserving the health, safety and privacy of researchers, research participants, citizens and consumers.

2. Objectives

The Participants will:

1. encourage collaboration in priority sectors that they consider to be strategically important from a scientific or economic perspective and where there are complementary strengths;
2. encourage research and science collaboration in areas of mutual interest to tackle societal challenges as well as collaboration in fundamental research;
3. encourage the sharing of best practices between the STI ecosystems of Canada and the Netherlands, at the governmental, nongovernmental, institutional, academic and industry levels;
4. facilitate increased access to scientific research, technologies, markets and talents;
5. facilitate advanced research and development collaborations between Canadian and Dutch centers of excellence, research institutions, commercialization hubs, industry, large scale infrastructures, or any other relevant organisations and institutions;
6. build linkages between scientific projects, market-oriented networks and innovation agencies to explore how best to support innovation and foster partnerships between academia, government institutions, and industry with a view to converting advanced research into commercial applications;
7. support efforts to integrate stakeholders from Canada and the Netherlands into global value chain and research projects, including at the European Union (EU) level in programs such as Eureka and Horizon Europe, and to foster matchmaking at selected events and initiatives; and
8. jointly identify any further topics in the field of research, science, technology, or innovation that may be usefully discussed or taken up on a cooperative basis, and jointly establish a work programme on a biennial basis or another jointly determined frequency.

3. Forms of collaboration

The Participants understand that initiatives under this MOU may include:

1. the exchange of information related to STI, including on practices, policies, laws, and regulations;
2. meetings of various forms, such as committees, conferences, workshops, seminars, symposia, exhibitions, and other joint events, to discuss and exchange information on research and STI aspects of general or specific subjects between experts, researchers, government officials, or others;
3. matchmaking events in areas of common interest, increasing research and science collaboration, and business development between both countries;
4. joint research projects and development projects, including, but not limited to, projects under the Eureka Network, such as Eurostars, Clusters and Network projects, and Horizon Europe;
5. exchanges of various kinds between scientists, researchers, technical personnel, or other experts of both countries; and other forms of collaboration jointly decided upon.

4. Framework

1. The Participants intend that collaboration in the areas of STI under this MOU takes place within the framework of their respective national law.
2. The Participants understand that joint research and science programs carried out as a result of this MOU will take into consideration bilateral arrangements between the Participants, regional and national developments, and developments between the Canada and EU.

5. Application

1. The Participants may invite other stakeholders to develop and carry out initiatives under this MOU.
2. The Participants will meet regularly within the framework of the STI Partnership to discuss the progress and development of the collaboration under this MOU. Topics for discussion may include:
1. discussing, planning, monitoring, and evaluating the application of this MOU;
2. exchanging knowledge in relation to research and science policy and strategy in both countries;
3. discussing plans and measures for future research and science collaboration, which may include a review of the impact of previous initiatives; and
4. other issues that the Participants are interested in.
3. The Participants understand that this MOU does not imply budget allocations and that each Participant will bear its own costs in carrying out cooperative activities.

6. Legal status

This MOU is not legally binding.

7. Final dispositions

1. This MOU will become effective on the date of signature of both Participants and will automatically end 6 years after becoming effective.
2. The Participants may amend this MOU at any time upon their mutual written consent.
3. Each Participant may terminate this MOU by giving to the other Participant ninety (90) days' written notice of its intent to terminate.
4. The Participants will develop specific arrangements regarding sensitive data separately from this MOU.