Objectives

Since it was founded in 1946, FOM has promoted fundamental physics research of technological relevance as well as scientific interest. The foundation's activities serve the common good as well as the interests of higher education and industry.

FOM has elaborated on its central task to include the following:

• increasing the quality of academic research;
• initiating and stimulating new scientific developments;
• bringing about national co-ordination (formation of networks);
• stimulating transfer of knowledge to other sectors;
• encouraging international participation;
• acting as a national focal point for organizations and researchers abroad;
• operating facilities and services;
• training PhD students and technicians;
• informing the public about its research.

About 80 percent of FOM-supported research is carried out in programmes which are of fixed duration and budget. The remaining 20 percent consists of new projects which are either too immature or unsuitable to be integrated in programmes.

In September 2004, the Board of governors of FOM has decided on the Strategic Plan FOM/GBN 2004-2010. This document  is available in Dutch.