[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)

22 juni 2026 11:49