The Netherlands sets course: a Roadmap to strengthen its position in neuromorphic computing

The Netherlands has officially launched its national roadmap for neuromorphic computing, commissioned by Topsector ICT. This roadmap brings together universities, research institutes, companies, and government agencies around a shared vision: to make the Netherlands a world leader in brain-inspired computing — a future-proof, energy-efficient alternative to today’s power-hungry digital architectures.

For CogniGron this marks an important milestone. As one of Europe’s leading research hubs for neuromorphic computing, CogniGron’s scientists and engineers played a significant role in shaping this roadmap — not merely as contributors, but as architects of the national neuromorphic vision.

So, what’s in this roadmap, and what does it mean for the future of computing in the Netherlands?

What is this roadmap and why is it important?

The roadmap outlines a coordinated national strategy for developing neuromorphic computing across all levels of the technology stack — from materials and device physics to algorithms and applications. It was co-created by experts from academia, industry, and government, including CogniGron, and sets the agenda for the next 10–30 years.

Key ambitions include:

• Energy efficiency and sustainability. Inspired by the human brain, neuromorphic systems aim to perform complex computations at a fraction of the energy required by today’s supercomputers — a transformative step toward sustainable computing.
• Integration with other key technologies. Neuromorphic computing complements and strengthens other strategic areas such as artificial intelligence, quantum technologies, photonics, semiconductors, and cybersecurity. It’s not about replacing these domains, but about accelerating them through smarter, event-driven processing.
• A stronger research and innovation ecosystem. The roadmap emphasises the importance of new R&D infrastructure, talent development, and collaboration across academia, start-ups, and established companies — ensuring a seamless path from fundamental discovery to real-world applications.
• International visibility and partnerships. The Netherlands will showcase its neuromorphic expertise globally, for example during the Future of Compute mission to the UK in November 2025 — positioning Dutch researchers and innovators as serious players on the international stage.

Together, these ambitions signal a clear message: neuromorphic computing is no longer a niche curiosity — it’s a national priority.

What does this mean for neuromorphic computing in the Netherlands?

This roadmap marks a shift from scattered initiatives to a coordinated national strategy. It lays the groundwork for a thriving ecosystem in which scientific excellence meets industrial innovation.

Here’s what we can expect in the coming years:

1. Acceleration of research and development. Coordinated funding and collaboration will speed up the journey from early-stage prototypes to deployable technologies.

2. Stronger international positioning. The Netherlands will gain influence in shaping the European and global neuromorphic agenda, aligning national efforts with international research programmes.

3. More public and private investment. A clear, unified vision makes it easier to attract funding for infrastructure, education, and technology transfer.

4. Real-world applications. Demonstrators will show how neuromorphic systems can power smarter sensors, adaptive AI, sustainable datacentres, and intelligent networks.

5. A cohesive ecosystem. Universities, start-ups, and corporations will work together, reducing fragmentation and building collective strength.

Looking ahead

This roadmap isn’t just a document — it’s a call to action. It invites researchers, companies, and policymakers to join forces and shape the future of computing together.

For CogniGron, the coming years will be about collaboration, experimentation, and impact. We’ll continue developing the scientific foundations of neuromorphic computing while exploring its potential in real-world domains, from energy-efficient AI to materials that learn. If the Netherlands succeeds in this mission, we’ll do more than make faster computers.

We’ll build smarter, greener, more adaptive systems: technologies that think with us, not just for us. Let’s make the future of computing brain-inspired.