Name: Prospective Research
Funding Organization: Innoviris, Brussels-Capital Region
Objective: Fund academic research addressing societal challenges in Brussels, generating new knowledge to inform policy and political debate
Focus: Urban complexity, societal issues, future studies, and alternatives to current systems
Funding Type: Grant covering 100% of project costs
Maximum duration: 3 years research + 3 months valorization
No maximum budget cap specified; budget must align with workload
Funding covers salaries, instruments, materials, operational costs, subcontracting, and general costs
Grant frequency: Recurring annual call
Primary beneficiaries: Research institutions with operational presence in Brussels
Researchers with at least a Master’s degree
Multidisciplinary research teams
Brussels public authorities and society benefiting from informed policy
Research institutions as defined by EU state aid framework (universities, research centers, technology transfer agencies, innovation intermediaries)
Must have at least one operational site in Brussels
Non-university applicants must submit a qualification form once per calendar year
Innoviris may verify research status during admissibility phase
Researchers must hold at least a Master’s degree at project start
Supervisors/promoters must be professors, accredited researchers, or research directors at Brussels institutions
A promoter may not be involved in more than two projects per call
Projects can be submitted by individual researchers or preferably by multidisciplinary consortia
Consortia must designate a promoter-coordinator responsible for scientific and administrative management
Projects must demonstrate systemic, multidisciplinary, and intersectoral approaches
Resources must align with program objectives
Applicants must have fulfilled obligations from previous regional aid
Projects must not have started before submission
Focus on societal problems affecting Brussels with potential for emancipation, inclusivity, equality, solidarity, justice, and sustainable development
Research linked to Brussels’ strategic innovation domains and regional competencies
Topics may include work, housing, employment, space, mobility, economy, environment, health, culture, and social welfare
Projects must adopt a medium to long-term perspective
Participatory research involving diverse stakeholders including less visible groups
Research must inform public action and political debate with actionable recommendations
Use of sociological approaches, prospective methods, or future studies is required
New academic knowledge on alternatives to existing systems
Policy briefs and recommendations for regional actors
Dissemination through media, events, publications, and public debate
Valorization phase of 3 months post-research for broad communication
Empirical and scientific grounding required
Use of participatory, multidisciplinary, and intersectoral research models
Methodologies include alternative investigations, projections and access to possibilities, and French-style prospective methods
Research protocols must detail actor involvement and data collection
Reflexive analysis of research impacts expected
Responsible research and innovation principles apply
Attention to diversity, inclusion, and vulnerability of participants
Ethical considerations and transparency in methodology and results
Risk of research bias must be addressed
Open communication to enable public debate
100% funding rate of total project budget by Brussels-Capital Region
No maximum budget limit specified
Eligible costs include salaries, instruments, materials, operational costs, subcontracting, and general costs
Budget must be consistent with workload and project scope
Financial and scientific follow-up by Innoviris
Reporting requirements specified in grant agreement
Audit and compliance with previous funding obligations required
Call opens May 2025
Submission deadline: 15 October 2025 via research institution interface
Admissibility analysis in November 2025
Evaluation by expert jury from late November 2025 to early May 2026
Funding decision by Brussels government in July 2026
Project start date between 1 October and 1 December 2026
Maximum 3 years research plus 3 months valorization
Mid-term evaluation at 18 months (GO/NO GO decision)
Follow-up committees at 9, 18, 27, and 36 months
Final report, policy brief, and dissemination plan required
Ex-post impact analysis at 72 months
Projects must comply with applicable laws and regulations
Ethical standards including participant vulnerability and data protection
Conflict of interest must be declared and managed
Transparency and openness in research conduct and dissemination
Applications submitted electronically to [email protected] with cc to [email protected]
Use official application form from Innoviris toolbox
Preferably with qualified electronic signature or scanned signature
Projects must be submitted by relevant academic authorities (e.g., Tech Transfer Office)
Rejected projects may be resubmitted up to two times with explanation of improvements
Two-step evaluation: admissibility check and expert committee assessment
Criteria include innovation, scientific quality, feasibility, impact, team expertise, and budget adequacy
Interviews or presentations may be part of evaluation
Selection based on ranking and available budget
Emphasis on diversity and inclusion of all relevant actors
Consideration of ethical, social, economic, and environmental impacts
Promotion of transparency and public engagement
Encouragement of innovative and participatory research approaches
Program builds on previous editions with thematic calls
Policy briefs from past projects illustrate research impact and thematic focus
Successful projects often address social cohesion, environment, health, housing, mobility, and governance
Lessons learned emphasize importance of multidisciplinary and participatory approaches