Gerontological research and science management and policy in the Netherlands

After an initially slow development gerontological research has undergone a strong expansion in the last 10 to 15 years. The beginning of this development coincided with a growing awareness of an aging population and the start of an independent research policy. In the beginning of the seventies the idea emerged that socially relevant problems can also determine the direction of research. For the development of gerontology this has been important. The science and research policy of particularly the government with regard to gerontology is described. This policy resulted in two stimulation programs. The growth and current state of gerontology are illustrated by results from inventories of research in 1977 and 1985. In comparison with 1977 in 1985 the effort in people-power has almost tripled: 71 person-years in 1977 versus 192 in 1985. Most research is now done in university institutes unlike in 1977. The themes of research of the important centers are mentioned. After shortly considering developments in some other countries, one of the conclusions is that-now the interest in research has grown and research centers are being formed-we should learn from the absence of lasting effects of stimulation programs in other countries and continue our programs to give research a firmer base at the universities.