For more than twenty five years, IPN (ICT Research Platform Nederland) has served as the central voice of the Dutch academic Computer Science community. What began as a collaborative platform—uniting universities, research groups, and scientific leaders—has grown into a national organisation representing nearly 1,000 academic staff and over 20,000 students in computer science and related fields. With this level of scale, influence, and responsibility, the question came up: how should IPN keep developing so it stays effective, independent, andinfluential in the future? The answer was to formalize its role and structure by becoming a foundation (stichting dd 02 06 2026).
A Natural Evolution of a National Platform
IPN’s transformation into a foundation is not a break with its past—it is the logical next step in its development. Over the years, IPN expanded from a coordination platform into a national hub for:
- Strategic Computer Science research policy
- Representation of Dutch Computer Science in national and international arenas
- Award programs to recognize and reward members of the community, including the Dutch Prize for Computer Science Research and the IPN service award
- Community building, through events such as ICT.OPEN, the IPN Colloquia and the IPN leadership trainings
- Special Interest Groups (SIGs) and Working Groups that shape the direction of the field and of the community
- This growing portfolio required a more formal, stable organisational structure—one that could support long term commitments, manage finances transparently, and operate independently of shifting institutional arrangements and ultimately carry the voice of the Dutch Computer Science research community more effectively.
Why a Foundation? Four Core Reasons
- Independence and Neutrality
As a foundation, IPN can operate with institutional neutrality, representing the entire Dutch Computer Science research ecosystem without being tied to any single university or funding body. This strengthens its credibility when advising government, industry, and international partners. - Long Term Stability
A foundation provides a durable legal and financial framework. With multi year programs, recurring national events, and ongoing policy work, IPN’s new structure will ensure continuity beyond individual board members or temporary collaborations. - Professionalization and Accountability
The scale of IPN’s activities—awards, publications, community programs, and national coordination—requires professional governance. A foundation enables:
• Clear responsibilities for board members
• Control over financial management
• Ability to enter contracts and partnerships
• A stable base for future growth - Access to External Expertise
As an independent organisation, IPN can more easily seek advice from external experts, strengthening its ability to achieve national impact and make well informed strategic decisions. In short, becoming a foundation allows IPN to match its organisational form to its national role.
Strengthening the Dutch Computer Science Research Landscape
IPN’s mission has always been to unite, strengthen, and represent the Dutch Computer Science research community. As a foundation, it can now do so with greater authority and resilience. This shift supports:
- Better advocacy for Computer Science research in national science policy
- Stronger collaboration between universities, industry, and government
- More consistent support for diversity, inclusion, ethics, and mental wellbeing initiatives
- Sustainable development of SIGs, working groups, and community program
- The foundation structure ensures that IPN can continue shaping the future of Computer Science research in the Netherlands—now with the organisational backbone to match its ambitions.
Looking Ahead: A Future Ready IPN
After 25 years of growth, IPN’s transition into a foundation marks a milestone in Dutch Computer Science history. It reflects the maturity of the field, the importance of Computer Science in society, and the need for a strong, stable organisation to guide the next decades of innovation. IPN is now better positioned to support the researchers, students, and institutions that drive the Dutch digital future.