[BELSPO] Belspo Science4Policy – Policy-Driven Projects: Call for Proposals 2026
IMPORTANT: Please be aware that a pre-approval for extern funding is mandatory!
Contact: vlaams-federaal@ugent.be
Belspo has launched a new call for policy-driven projects in which research topics are selected by the federal departments.
Research Priorities:
- Inclusion of persons with disabilities within federal government organizations
- Potential, competencies, skills, and capacity to learn, as an alternative to diplomas and experience as criteria in hiring processes and career and salary development
- Government Resilience with regard to Operational Upkeep & Nature-based Design (GROUND)
- Analysis of the societal consequences of biodiversity loss (degradation) in Belgian soil
- The competitiveness of Belgian SMEs in the transition to a decarbonized and circular economy
- Economic Cost of Climate Change & benefits of alternative adaptation strategies for public investment at the sectoral level: Development of an Operational Assessment Framework at the sectoral level and for the Belgian defense sector
- The decarbonization of Belgian industry: long-term potential for negative greenhouse gas emissions through BECCS
- Sustainable Raw Materials in Belgium: ESG risk assessment and priority actions for the circular economy
- Data Infrastructure for Monitoring Labor Market and Social Protection Transitions
- Towards a new assessment scale for self-reliance among
- Labor migration flows and channels for third-country nationals in Belgium
- Toward a scientific research agenda for the Federal Administration
Details can be found in the information file on the Belspo website.
Duration: between 12 and 36 months, depending on the theme
Budget: between 100,000 and 600,000, depending on the theme. Belspo funds 90% of the grant. The relevant federal agencies co-fund the remaining 10%.
Available budget: 2,624,970€
Timeline:
- Deadline for submitting the Expression of Interest (EoI): July 13, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. CEST
- Deadline for submitting the Full Proposal: July 22, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. CEST
- Evaluation: September–October 2026
- Project start date: Early 2027
More information:
- Belspo: website and S4Policy@belspo.be
- Vlaams-federaal: Nina De Wilde (vlaams-federaal@ugent.be)
June 22, 2026, 11:49 a.m.