The third stream (derde geldstroom) funding is known as the ‘market stream’ of university funding. These include EU-programs and non-profit organizations, but even governments of other countries and especially industry. TU/e receives the highest third stream funding of any university in the Netherlands [1]. In 2020, contract activities accounted for 26.9% [2], of which third stream funding was 19.8% [3]. But which third parties are funding this? And what influence do they have on research and education?

We must acknowledge collaboration can come with a variety of influences, desired and undesired. Surveys show over a quarter of scientists in the Netherlands have experienced undesired influences on their research from third parties, of which 47% were industry [4]. Institutions, such as TU/e, should develop a code of conduct for third parties and a robust strategy to prevent these undesired influences [1]. 

Our education must also be safeguarded: other Dutch universities have made contracts with large corporations allowing them ‘to potentially influence the design of the … curriculum and the profile of students who attend the BSc/MSc/MBA programmes’ [5]. Since the TU/e provides no transparency and has entered corporate contracts with non-disclosure agreements, we must have an independent investigation into all partnerships & collaborations and their influence on research & education. 

For the importance of democratic governance of educational institutions, full transparency of partnerships and investments associated with TU/e's third flow of funds is vital. We believe research should be relevant for societal challenges of our socio-historical context. If we remain unaware of the extent to which external parties are funding and influencing innovative education and research, we also remain unaware whether research aids desired socially-just change. 

How can TU/e call itself independent, if it doesn’t disclose to what extent industries are contaminating university research and education with their own exploitative interests?  It is our right to have full transparency and accountability of TU/e's third stream funding! 

By signing this petition you demand the following of TU/e's Executive Board: 

1. Full disclosure of all third stream funding and collaboration with third parties. 
2. Full transparency in the selection process of industry partners & collaborations.
3. An independent investigation of all partnerships & collaborations and resulting influence on research & education.

Sources: 

[1] ​​https://www.rathenau.nl/en/science-figures/investments/income-and-expenditure-universities-and-higher-education-institutions-1

[2] https://www.rathenau.nl/en/science-figures/investments/income-and-expenditure-universities-and-higher-education-institutions-1#:~:text=Analysis-,The%20total%20income%20of%20the%20universities%20has%20developed%20positively%20since,%25%20to%2057%25%20since%202004.

[3] https://assets.tue.nl/fileadmin/content/Our_University/About%20our%20university/Publications/TUE%20Annual%20review%202020%20%28in%20Dutch%29.pdf

[4] https://www.nrc.nl/nieuws/2018/09/01/wetenschappers-te-afhankelijk-van-geldschieters-a1614971

[5] https://www.erasmusmagazine.nl/en/2017/05/16/shell-kan-opzet-rsm-curriculum-beinvloeden/