The Academy monitors the quality of scientific pursuit in the Netherlands. It advises on the quality of research and research training programmes, and on how to promote the careers of talented researchers. The Academy has two committees for this purpose: one for accrediting research schools and one for assessing research master’s programmes.

Research School Accreditation Committee (ECOS)

The Research School Accreditation Committee, which was set up in 1992, assesses teaching and research at Dutch research schools against specific quality criteria. Research school are accredited by the ECOS. Approximately two thirds of the accredited research schools resulted from partnerships between research groups at multiple universities and occasionally also other partners, such as businesses. ECOS also advises research schools on their educational programmes and supervision procedures. Research schools are (re)accredited for a six-year period.

Assessment of research master’s programmes

The Dutch-Flemish Accreditation Organisation (NVAO) takes accreditation decisions regarding research master’s programmes. When assessing applications for the assessment or reassessment of research master’s programmes, the NVAO cooperates with the Academy. The Academy sets up committees to assess the applications. The committees act independently and advise the NVAO directly. On the basis of the advice of the committees, the NVAO takes an accreditation decision regarding the applications.