The FNR was created at the beginning of the pandemic in order to find solutions to the crisis, Marc Schiltz explained.
As an example, the FNR is behind the large-scale testing campaign launched by Luxembourg in response to the coronavirus pandemic in collaboration with research institutions and the ministry in charge. The Fund also mobilised €7.5 million to finance initiatives such as the ConVince study or the CoronaStep programme, which analyses waste water. "In this way, the authorities could and can still obtain reliable information," Schiltz stated.
A recent poll reportedly showed that 70% of the population trust in science. Two-thirds of residents would even like to have more information, something the FNR has already been working on, especially in view of the increasing amount of false information being spread online.
Last year, the FNR also supported initiatives that were not related to the coronavirus, such as a project involving solar cells or autonomous robots. "2020 also saw a record number of applications for project funding," the FNR secretary general concluded.
