CWI

CWI, short for Centrum Wiskunde & Informatica, is the Dutch national research institute for mathematics and computer science. Based in Amsterdam, it conducts both fundamental and applied research and supports the training of researchers in these fields. The organization traces its origins to the Mathematisch Centrum, founded in 1946, and adopted the name Centrum Wiskunde & Informatica in 1996. It receives funding from the Dutch government via the Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research (NWO) and collaborates with universities, industry, and government to translate scientific advances into practical applications.

Research at CWI covers a broad range of areas within mathematics and computer science. Key domains include algorithms and complexity theory, cryptography and information security, data science and artificial intelligence, software engineering, formal methods and programming languages, and numerical analysis and scientific computing. The institute also engages in quantum computing and interdisciplinary projects that connect mathematical theory with computational practice.

CWI pursues both foundational questions and real-world problems, such as optimization, data analysis, and secure communications. It maintains partnerships with Dutch universities, notably the University of Amsterdam, and participates in international collaborations through European Union programs and industry partnerships. The institute hosts PhD students, postdoctoral researchers, and visiting scientists, and contributes to open-source software and datasets.

Notable outputs from CWI include advances in theoretical computer science and developments that inform technology used in academia and industry. The institute also contributes to policy discussions on information technology and data-intensive research within the Dutch scientific landscape.