The services ITEM provides rest on European and national research grant programmes, and are an indispensable part of maintaining and strengthening ITEM’s position in the academic and societal world. The grants that contribute to ever-growing scientific knowledge are the foundation for the other core activities. Here, the importance of an extensive network of governments, academic institutions and private players cannot be underestimated. ITEM’s effective contributions to Maastricht University, through both expertise and network, ensure UM’s external profile at European level.