NLR is the central institute for aerospace research in the Netherlands. Since 1937 NLR is an independent non-profit organisation that provides technological support to aerospace industries, to operators of civil and military aircraft, of airports and of ATC systems, to authorities and to international organisations, all over the world.
NLR is a customer-oriented research organisation, working under national and international contracts in projects concerning aircraft development, aircraft operations, air traffic management and space technology. Depending on the project and the customer's preferences, NLR acts as sole contractor or as main contractor or subcontractor collaborating with other institutes or industries. Work under contract totals about 75 per cent of NLR's activities; NLR's programme for basic research and development of research equipment, funded by the government of the Netherlands, amounts to about 25 per cent.
NLR employs a staff of about 700 in two main establishments, one in Amsterdam and one in Noordoostpolder, Flevoland. Over two-thirds of the staff are graduates from universities or technical colleges. NLR owns a variety of research and test facilities. NLR holds an ISO 9001:2000 / AQAP-2110, ISO 14001:2004 & OHAS 18001:1999 quality assurance, health care & environmental protection certificates and several calibration accreditations.