THE HAGUE – The Dutch Ministry of Education, Culture and Science (OCW) and the Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research (NWO) are jointly investing €3 million in a multi-year research program focused on the Netherlands' colonial slavery past. This initiative, part of the National Science Agenda, aims to develop new insights and promote knowledge-sharing.
Research Program Set to Launch in 2025
Preparations for the program are well underway, with a preliminary announcement expected in early 2025. This announcement will outline the core themes, methodology, and deadlines for submitting proposals. Following this, academic institutions and social organizations will be invited to submit research proposals. The program is designed to integrate multiple disciplines and research methods, ensuring that it meets the needs of both academic institutions and social organizations.
International Collaboration and Caribbean Research
The OCW Ministry is also prioritizing international collaboration. The Royal Netherlands Institute of Southeast Asian and Caribbean Studies (KITLV) will coordinate an international research program involving scholars from countries with colonial ties to the Netherlands, including Suriname, South Africa, and Indonesia. This program, which runs until 2027, has a budget of €924,000 and will explore the impact of slavery on local societies.
In addition, scientific research on slavery will receive dedicated funding in the Caribbean part of the Kingdom. Since October 2024, higher education institutions in the region have been collaborating on a shared Chair in Slavery Studies. Moreover, in consultation with the Caribbean islands, a specific research program will be launched in 2025, for which OCW has allocated €455,000.