“Impact for a better society” is the motto of the Strategic Framework of the TU Delft. TU Delft realises this impact by arranging its vast research potential to address major societal themes. The research questions emerging from these problems are often so complex that they can only be answered by joining forces: sometimes through cooperation with researchers from within a variety of disciplines, sometimes by collaborating with colleagues from the business community or with community partners. This is done in consideration of national research priorities, as formulated in the national Science Agenda or the Top Sector policy, as well as the international research priorities, including the EU Horizon2020 programme and the UN Sustainable Development Goals. 

Thematic collaboration takes on a variety of forms, depending on where the necessary expertise can be found: between faculties, regionally, nationally or internationally. In the overview below, several instruments for thematic cooperation are listed. For more information on the cooperation forms and other initiatives, click on ‘read more’ below the headlines.