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The long-term sediment demand of the Dutch coast is integral to the current Dutch Coastal Flood and Erosion Risk Management policy. The Coastal Genesis 2 research programme was initiated to address the sustainability of this policy under sea level rise by focusing on key uncertainties in the conceptual model of the sediment demand of the Dutch coast. The substantive scientific contributions of the Coastal Genesis 2 research programme are analysed in this paper by applying an output-outcome-impact framework. The direct outputs of the programme are categorised in terms of the knowledge types of a 5-element framework, namely measurement data, simulation models, system understanding, conceptual models, and policy and practice. The research outcomes arise from the interactions of these knowledge types. Our analysis of these outcomes highlights that synthesising new scientific insights into shared conceptual models is critical to achieving impact in policy and practice. In the Dutch situation, a new shared conceptual model of the long-term sediment demand enabled the development of four potential nourishment strategies aiming to meet the strategic goals of the Coastal Flood and Erosion Risk Management policy on a timescale up to 20 years. In 2021, the Minister of Infrastructure and Water Management officially articulated her intention to adopt the advised nourishment strategy from 2024 onwards. This represents a lasting impact of the Coastal Genesis 2 research programme in policy and practice. Further, the insight regarding the pivotal role of shared conceptual models as intermediary between science, policy and practice may prove useful in the design of future research programmes aiming to influence policy. • Key scientific findings, their synthesis and the impact on policy of the Coastal Genesis 2 research programme. • Synthesising new scientific insights into shared conceptual models is critical to achieving impact in policy and practice. • Coastal policy is underpinned by a conceptual model of the long term sediment budget of the Dutch coast. • Coastal Genesis 2 delivers insights on the sustainable future of the Dutch coast. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of the Coastal Genesis 2 research programme and its role in contributing to Dutch coastal policy are described in the paper. The organisation of policy development related to coastal flood risk and erosion in The Netherlands is addressed, highlighting the division of responsibilities between the policy and operational directorates of the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management. A conceptual model of the long term sediment budget of the Dutch coast that underpins the current Coastal Flood and Erosion Risk Management policy is detailed. The role of the operational directorate Rijkswaterstaat in coordinating a 'Research for Policy' cycle as a means of generating new insights on the coastal system and ensuring their subsequent inclusion in a new/revised conceptual model, is highlighted. By detailing the new conceptual model of the long term sediment budget, the paper demonstrates how key uncertainties related to this model guided the determination of the research agenda for Coastal Genesis 2. The paper concludes by reflecting briefly on the outcomes of the research programme and the role of the 'Research for Policy' cycle in ensuring the sustainable future of the Dutch coast. • Dutch coastal policy development responsibilities are divided between operational and policy directorates. • A 'Research for Policy' cycle coordinates developing new insights and providing policy advice. • Coastal policy is underpinned by a conceptual model of the long term sediment budget of the Dutch coast. • Revising the conceptual model of the long term coastal sediment budget guides the research programme. • Coastal Genesis 2 delivers insights on the sustainable future of the Dutch coast. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]