What is ZonMw in short and what does your organisation stand for?
'ZonMw, the Netherlands Organisation for Health Research and Development, encourages health research and innovation with the aim to improve healthcare in the Netherlands. This is done in two ways: ZonMw funds health research and promotes the actual use of all the knowledge that is produced. ZonMw covers the entire innovation cycle: from fundamental research to the implementation of new treatments, preventive interventions or improvements of the organisation of healthcare.'
What does ZonMw hope to get out of the partnership with the DCVA?
'The strength of the DCVA is that we all share the same ambition: lowering the cardiovascular disease burden by 25% in 2030. We are joining forces with all partners in the alliance, as we understand that we can achieve more if we work together. If we look at the partners that have joined the alliance, you see a nice variation in the type of organisation. In this way, every organisation can contribute to achieving the common ambition based on its own strengths, but at the same time also determine the focus of the DCVA.'
What does ZonMw add to the DCVA, why should we be happy that ZonMw is participating? Who ultimately benefits the most?
'We are already well on our way to achieving the ambition of the DCVA. The first call for proposals, entitled ‘Heart for Sustainable Care, just awarded six research projects which soon can start their research. These projects will already generate a lot of new knowledge, but six projects are not enough. We need even more scientific knowledge and dissemination of this knowledge. ZonMw is an important partner with knowledge and expertise in the healthcare landscape. This gives us a good overview of what is needed within the research community. We can also contribute to the gathering of even more scientific knowledge. By ensuring that this knowledge is actually used, health care and ultimately the patient benefits the most.'
Question from the Netherlands Heart Institute
How can we ensure that more funds are made available for research to achieve the ambition of the DCVA and what opportunities does ZonMw see for joint programs with the Dutch Heart Foundation and / or NWO-TTW?
'There are already good examples of joint programs from the Dutch Heart Foundation, NWO TTW and ZonMw. The Dutch Heart Foundation and ZonMw have intensified the discussions to identify new opportunities for future joint programming. We also intend to jointly submit a proposition to the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport. In addition, the new knowledge and innovation policy (top sector policy) and the Dutch Research Agenda also offer good opportunities to realise the ambitions of the DCVA.'