NWO's mission is to advance world-class scientific research that has scientific and societal impact. NWO approaches that from its vision of being a connector and is guided by its core values: groundbreaking, committed, reliable and connecting. For the coming strategic period, NWO has established ambitions along which the mission will be shaped. NWO seeks to find the optimal balance between direct and indirect government funding to strengthen the basis for education and research. NWO is a central, independent, transparent and reliable partner that is positioned to operate as an intermediary within science and between science and society. In consultation with the national Knowledge Coalition and in partnership with several knowledge institutions, NWO is in an unrivalled position to optimally match the balance between direct and indirect government funding to strengthen the basis for education and research. We aim to ensure improved coordination throughout Dutch science to facilitate national research strategies such as the Dutch National Research Agenda.