SIA SPRONG-Acceleration: AI Scaling in the Public Domain

Funding for universities of applied sciences in the Netherlands to create collaborative SPRONG groups, with the aim of making significant contributions to the acceleration of AI uptake and scaling in the public domain.

The Nationaal Regieorgaan Praktijkgericht Onderzoek SIA (National Taskforce for Applied Research SIA) is part of the Nederlandse Organisatie voor Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek (NWO – Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research), and has the task of stimulating the development of practice-oriented research at universities of applied sciences (hogescholen).

This call (SPRONG-versnelling: AI-opschaling in het publieke domein) aims to strengthen and scale practice-oriented research on the responsible application of AI within the public domain. It focuses on building a multidisciplinary SPRONG research group that brings together existing knowledge, networks, and experiences to accelerate the uptake and scaling of AI solutions across the following public-sector domains:

• Public services
• Information management
• Tackling undermining
• Spatial planning and housing
• Energy supply
• Health & care

The Dutch Digitalisation Strategy is the primary thematic framework for this scheme. Additional relevant and strategic perspectives, policy documents, and agendas include the Knowledge and Innovation Agenda Security 2024-2027 (mission 1: integrated approach to organised crime), the multi-year vision Zicht op Nederland, the Housing Construction Innovation and Scaling-Up Programme, and the Cooperation Agenda for Future-Proof Area Development, in which data-driven working, AI applications, and digital area development take centre stage. 

The future SPRONG group also aligns with the Framework for the Responsible Use of AI and Algorithms, with an emphasis on careful decision-making and safeguarding public values.

The programme contributes to the Dutch Digitalisation Strategy by supporting collaboration, knowledge sharing, and long-term capacity building within a national knowledge infrastructure