turash/funding/national/belgium/vlaio-rd.md
Damir Mukimov 4a2fda96cd
Initial commit: Repository setup with .gitignore, golangci-lint v2.6.0, and code quality checks
- Initialize git repository
- Add comprehensive .gitignore for Go projects
- Install golangci-lint v2.6.0 (latest v2) globally
- Configure .golangci.yml with appropriate linters and formatters
- Fix all formatting issues (gofmt)
- Fix all errcheck issues (unchecked errors)
- Adjust complexity threshold for validation functions
- All checks passing: build, test, vet, lint
2025-11-01 07:36:22 +01:00

5.0 KiB
Raw Blame History

⚠️ NOT SUITABLE FOR BERLIN-BASED COMPANIES
This program requires company with R&D activities in Flanders (Belgium/Flanders location).
Requirement: Company must have R&D activities in Flanders, Belgium.
See BERLIN_COMPANY_RECOMMENDATIONS.md for programs suitable for Berlin-based companies.


VLAIO R&D Project Grants (Flanders) - Belgium

Overview

VLAIO provides grants for industrial research or experimental development projects by companies in Flanders, with emphasis on innovative impact.

Managing Body

Flanders Innovation & Entrepreneurship (VLAIO)

Funding Type

Grants for industrial research or experimental development projects

Funding Amount

  • 25% to 50% of project budget (base 25%, increased for SMEs and collaborations)
  • Maximum grant: €3 million per project
  • Minimum subsidy: €25k

Deadlines

  • STATUS: OPEN (as of November 2025)
  • No fixed annual deadline
  • Rolling submissions ("permanently open")
  • Regular development projects can be submitted permanently
  • Evaluation decisions roughly 34 times per year

Eligibility

  • Companies with R&D activities in Flanders
  • SMEs or large firms, possibly with research partners
  • Must show innovative nature and impact in Flanders

Thematic Focus

Open to all domains with encouragement for:

  • Circular economy innovations
  • Environmental benefits explicitly noted in applications

Relevance to City Resource Graph

  • Digital platform development from prototype to demonstrator
  • Industry partnerships in Flanders
  • Circular economy technology innovation
  • Regional industrial impact

Application Checklist

Pre-Application Requirements

  • Verify company eligibility:
    • Company with R&D activities in Flanders
    • SME or large firm (may include research partners)
    • Must demonstrate innovative nature and impact in Flanders
  • Confirm project is industrial research OR experimental development
  • Determine project type:
    • Single company project OR
    • Collaborative project with research partners (increases funding rate)
  • Calculate funding rate (25-50% based on company size and collaboration)
  • Note: Minimum subsidy €25k, maximum €3M per project

Required Documents

  • Company registration documents (Flanders)
  • Project description demonstrating innovation:
    • Technical innovation details
    • Market innovation potential
    • Circular economy relevance (if applicable)
  • Detailed budget breakdown
  • Project timeline and milestones
  • R&D activity description (industrial research/experimental development)
  • CVs of key team members
  • Partnership agreements (if collaborative project)
  • Research partner agreements (if involving research institution)
  • Impact assessment (Flemish economic/industrial impact)
  • Environmental benefits description (circular economy focus)
  • Technical feasibility study
  • Market analysis and commercialization plan

Application Steps

  1. Review VLAIO Development Project information
  2. Check eligibility criteria
  3. Prepare project proposal (permanently open - no fixed deadline)
  4. Submit application through VLAIO portal
  5. Note evaluation timeline: decisions 3-4 times per year
  6. Plan submission timing for next evaluation window

Project Alignment Checklist

  • Project qualifies as industrial research OR experimental development
  • Demonstrates clear innovation (technical and/or market)
  • Shows Flemish industrial/economic impact
  • Includes circular economy innovation focus
  • Environmental benefits explicitly highlighted
  • Demonstrates R&D component (not just commercial activity)

Funding Optimization

  • Consider collaboration with research partners (increases funding rate)
  • Ensure SME status if applicable (higher funding rate)
  • Calculate optimal project budget (€25k minimum)
  • Plan for evaluation windows (3-4 times per year)

Post-Submission

  • Save submission confirmation
  • Note evaluation timeline (3-4 times per year)
  • Monitor for decision timeline updates
  • Prepare for potential follow-up questions
  • Have additional documentation ready if requested

Application Tips

  • Demonstrate clear innovation and Flemish impact
  • Build partnerships to increase funding rate (up to 50%)
  • Focus on technical and market innovation
  • Regular evaluation windows - plan timing accordingly
  • Permanently open - can submit anytime, but plan for evaluation windows
  • Emphasize circular economy and environmental benefits explicitly