2026–2027

AI & Data Research Program

Npuls’ AI & Data Research Program (AIDO) brings together research, educational practice, monitoring, and knowledge development. In this way, we build knowledge that helps educational institutions make informed decisions about the use of AI and data. AI has a significant impact on post secondary education. At the same time, much of the knowledge regarding effective, responsible, and sustainable applications remains fragmented or without proper research. Within AIDO, researchers and education professionals from VET schools (MBO), Universities of applied sciences (HBO), and Research Universities (WO) collaborate on four interconnected lines of research.

Educational institutions are exploring and using AI and data in an ever increasing number of ways: in teaching, in supporting students and faculty, and in organizational and policy matters. This raises important questions. What works in practice? For whom does it work? Under what circumstances? And how do we ensure that insights aren’t limited to a single pilot project or institution?

AIDO helps systematically investigate these questions. We connect real-world insights with research, so that institutions can learn from one another and the sector can move forward step by step.

What is the current state of AI and data in Dutch higher education?

Within SAID, we are developing a sector-wide development model and an accompanying tool. This will enable institutions to assess where they stand in their development regarding AI and data and identify areas for further development.

The results provide institutions with insight into their own situation. At the same time, a sector-wide picture of developments over time emerges.

Project leader: Klaartje van Genugten, Zuyd University of Applied Sciences
What can we learn from the way AI and data are already being used in educational institutions

KAIDO investigates practical experiences within VET schools (MBO), Universities of applied sciences (HBO), and Research Universities (WO). Through interviews and case studies, we identify the circumstances under which AI and data applications contribute to the goals that institutions aim to achieve with them.

In this way, we gather transferable insights, effective mechanisms, and lessons from practice. This knowledge can contribute to knowledge sharing, follow-up research, and potential scaling up.

Project leader: Claudia Diers-Lierke, The Hague University of Applied Sciences
How can we systematically learn from AI and data pilots?

Within SEKO, we are developing a standardized method for evaluating, documenting, and sharing knowledge and experiences from pilots. This makes knowledge from different pilots more comparable, discoverable, and usable.

To this end, we are developing, among other things, an evaluation format based on the CIMO framework. This will enable institutions to learn more effectively from experiments and build on what others have already researched.

Project leader: Myrthe Lubbers, Saxion University of Applied Sciences and the University of Twente
What current questions about AI and data are relevant to educational practice—and what can we learn from them?

Within this research track, we directly link AIDO to issues in VET schools (MBO), Universities of applied sciences (HBO), and Research Universities (WO). Through an open call, we select six practice-oriented research projects: two in MBO, two in HBO, and two in WO. In addition to the six research projects, accompanying research will be conducted. This research will connect the insights from the individual studies and analyze them from an overarching perspective. In this way, we will not only examine what is happening within a single institution but also identify patterns, lessons, and insights relevant to the entire education system. The results of the six research projects and the accompanying research will be compiled and shared with the broader sector.

Project leader: Svenne Groeneweg, University of Amsterdam

The call for participation in practice-oriented research will open in mid November. The link to the call will be available here.

What current questions about AI and data are being raised in educational practice, and what can we learn from them? Within this research track, we directly link AIDO to issues in VET schools (MBO), Universities of applied sciences (HBO), and Research Universities (WO). To this end, Npuls is issuing a call for research proposals. Six practice-oriented research projects will be selected for participation: two in VET schools (MBO), two in Universities of applied sciences (HBO), and two in Research Universities (WO). Funding is available for each selected research project to systematically investigate a practical question within the educational context of the participating institution.