# SBO Strategic Basic Research Projects Security and Defence

**Funder:** FWO
**Duration:** 4 years
**Eligible countries:** BE
**Official call:** https://www.fwo.be/en/support-programmes/all-calls/senior-researchersresearch-teams/sbo-strategic-basic-research-projects-security-and-defence/
**Last verified:** 1 July 2026

## Eligibility & scope

Thematic SBO call focused on strategic basic research in the field of security and defence. Open to research teams at Flemish universities and research institutions. Call currently open.

## Summary

The FWO SBO Strategic Basic Research Projects call funds multidisciplinary research teams at Flemish institutions to conduct four-year strategic basic research in security and defence. The call is open to researchers across all career stages and is currently accepting applications, with a strong focus on fundamental science with long-term security and defence relevance.

## Who should apply

- Research teams based at Flemish universities or recognised research institutions
- Multidisciplinary groups combining theoretical and experimental approaches
- Researchers working on fundamental science with security and defence applications
- Teams with capacity to deliver a coherent four-year research programme

## Key dates

- Call currently open; verify exact deadline on FWO website
- Four-year project duration

## Tips for applicants

- Frame your research as strategic basic science, not applied development; the SBO scheme rewards fundamental insight with long-term defence relevance.
- Team composition and complementarity matter, demonstrate how different disciplinary perspectives strengthen the research plan.
- Flanders-only eligibility is strict; all principal investigators and host institutions must be based in Flanders.

## Frequently asked questions

### What is the SBO Strategic Basic Research Projects call from FWO?

It funds four-year research projects led by teams at Flemish institutions working on strategic basic research in security and defence.

### Who can apply to the FWO SBO security and defence call?

Research teams based at Flemish universities and recognised research institutions; all team members must meet FWO eligibility criteria.

### How long is the FWO SBO project duration?

Four years per funded project.

### Is the FWO SBO security and defence call open now?

Yes, the call is currently open; check the FWO website for the exact submission deadline and any application portal instructions.

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Source: [The Great Grantsby](https://grantsby.eu/grants/fwo-sbo-strategic-basic-research-projects-security-and-2026) — EU grant monitoring for academic researchers. Always verify details on the funder's website before applying.