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 advance brain-inspired computing as a future-proof, energy-efficient alternative to today’s power-hungry digital architectures in the Netherlands.
What is this roadmap and why is it important?
The Neuromorphic Computing 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 has been co-created by experts from academia, industry, and government, and sets the agenda for the next 10–30 years.
Key ambitions include:
- Developing infrastructure for further technology development.. Inspired by the human brain, neuromorphic systems perform complex computations at a fraction of the energy required by today’s supercomputers — a transformative step toward sustainable computing. Early-state investments are needed to take the technology from research to prototype.
- Integration with other key technologies. Neuromorphic computing complements and strengthens other strategic areas such as artificial intelligence, quantum technologies, photonics, semiconductors, and cyber security through smarter, event-driven processing.
- A strong research and innovation ecosystem. The roadmap emphasises the importance of bringing together people from all disciplines and in collaboration across academia, start-ups and established companies to ensure 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 key players on the international stage.
Together, these ambitions signal a clear message: advancing neuromorphic computing is key to the National Technology Strategy and thus is a national priority.
What does this mean for neuromorphic computing in the Netherlands?
Mentioning Mission 10-X as one of the initiatives already focused on advancing neuromorphic computing, 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:
- Acceleration of research and development. Coordinated funding and collaboration, and establishment of prototyping infrastructure will speed up the journey from early-stage prototypes to deployable technologies.
- Real-world applications. Demonstrators will show how neuromorphic systems can power smarter sensors, adaptive AI, sustainable datacenters and intelligent networks.
- More public and private investment. A clear, unified vision makes it easier to attract funding for infrastructure, education, and technology transfer.
- Stronger international positioning. The Netherlands will gain influence in shaping the European and global neuromorphic agenda, aligning national efforts with international research programs.
- A cohesive ecosystem. Universities, start-ups, and corporations will work together, reducing fragmentation and building collective strength.
Looking ahead
This roadmap clearly outlines the next steps towards advancing the neuromorphic computing field in the Netherlands. It invites researchers, companies, and policymakers to join forces and shape the future of brain-inspired computing together.
