Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research
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nl:TNO Image:TNO building.jpg Nederlandse Organisatie voor Toegepast Natuurwetenschappelijk Onderzoek or TNO (Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research) is a not-for-profit organisation in The Netherlands that focuses on applied science. The main office of TNO is located in Delft. Other locations of TNO are: The Hague, Rijswijk, Leiden, Groningen, Apeldoorn, Hoofddorp, Soesterberg, Utrecht, Den Helder, Zeist and Eindhoven.
TNO is a knowledge organisation for companies, government bodies and public organisations. The daily work of approximately 5,000 employees is to develop and apply knowledge. The organisation also provides contract research and specialist consultancy as well as grants licences for patents and specialist software. TNO tests and certifies products and services, and issues an independent evaluation of quality. Moreover, TNO sets up new companies to market innovations.
TNO was established by law in 1930 to support companies and governments with innovative, practicable knowledge. As a statutory organisation TNO has an independent position that allows to give objective, scientifically founded judgements.
Its core areas of activity are:
- Quality of Life
- Defense, Security and Safety
- Science and Industry
- Built Environment and Geosciences
- Information and Communication Technology
In 1994, the TNO Primate Centre in Rijswijk became an independent organisation, the Biomedical Primate Research Centre.