Wageningen UR is a research institute that not only develops knowledge but also helps to apply it.
Our world is changing. The population is growing fast and prosperity is increasing in many regions. Around the world, land use for food production is reaching its limits. The climate is visibly changing while fossil fuels are becoming ever scarcer. Meanwhile, people are attaching more importance to healthy, safe and sufficient food.
It is this changing world that is the real specialisation of Wageningen UR – the domain of good and safe food & food production, food security and a healthy living environment. In essence, Wageningen UR is a research institute that not only develops knowledge but also helps to apply it.
From fundamental to application-oriented and field-based research
Our mission is: ‘To explore the potential of nature to improve the quality of life’. This is achieved together with industry, governments and research institutions around the world. In addition to our renowned fundamental research, Wageningen UR also has a strong global position as a supplier of application-oriented and field-based research. At the same time, we train many thousands of students from over a hundred countries to be professionals in the domain of ‘healthy food and living environment’ every year.
Strength due to a unique combination
This combination of research, education and value creation has made us internationally successful. It is with good reason that we have the highest success rate in attracting EU funds for research and score so highly in international rankings and citation indexes. This is due to the Wageningen approach - the joint strengths of Wageningen University and specialised research institutes, and the connections between our scientific, technological and social disciplines.
In cooperation
Furthermore, we are well aware that our partners – governments, companies and research institutes at home and abroad – need to achieve genuine social breakthroughs. This is also why we cooperate on a large scale in public-private partnerships, as well as in the form of confidential contract research.
Major challenges and solutions
Together we aim to continue to lead the way, bundling financial flows and using our knowledge to design applicable solutions for the major challenges faced by the world. This is the ultimate ambition of Wageningen UR.