On 30 September 2025, engineering and consultancy firm Haskoning, TU Delft, and the Delft University Fund signed a framework agreement to enable research into water technology and climate-resilient delta regions, supported financially by the Haskoning Innovation & Education Fund. With this step, TU Delft accelerates research into global challenges. Thanks to this multi-year donation to the Delft University Fund, the first project of this TU Delft research programme can start at the end of 2025. TU Delft builds on a long-standing and intensive research collaboration with Haskoning, which has already yielded successes in sustainable technologies.
By combining disciplines such as water technology, biotechnology, and delta technology, the initiative aims to contribute to safe, liveable, and climate-resilient deltas. The research initiative brings together leading TU Delft researchers such as Dr. Mario Pronk, Professor Merle de Kreuk, and Professor Bas Jonkman. In addition to research, knowledge-sharing, education, and collaboration with other sector experts will play an important role. The goal is to develop technologies that are globally applicable and contribute to a sustainable society.
Why this matters
Worldwide, billions of people live in deltas and coastal regions, where water quality, access to clean water, and protection against flooding are becoming ever greater challenges. Climate change, sea-level rise, and increasing pollution create complex problems: from organic microcontaminants such as PFAS and microplastics to the loss of valuable resources in sludge and sediment.
Developing innovative water technologies, circular solutions for resource recovery, and strategies for climate-resilient deltas is crucial to keeping these areas safe, liveable, and sustainable. By combining knowledge and technologies from different disciplines, we not only want to combat pollution but also create new opportunities for material reuse and nature-based solutions. Bringing together diverse perspectives often leads to surprising insights and innovative approaches.
Giving to TU Delft is investing in the future
The challenges of today demand solutions for tomorrow. How do we deal with climate change? How do we secure a future with clean energy? How do we keep our digital world safe? The answers to these questions begin with technological innovation—and TU Delft is at the forefront of these global developments.
The Delft University Fund supports TU Delft by contributing to research, education, talent development, and entrepreneurship. With donations from alumni, students, foundations, and companies, the foundation helps talented students and scientists realise their ambitions and create societal impact.
This article was first published on 1 October by TU Delft.
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