FWO
SBO (Strategic Basic Research) projects
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FWO SBO (Strategic Basic Research) projects fund innovative fundamental research with clear economic or societal impact potential, up to four years, open to research teams at Flemish universities and research institutions. The call targets researchers pursuing ambitious basic science that bridges the gap between discovery and application. FWO runs this programme annually.
Details
| Funder | FWO |
| Duration | 4 years |
| Frequency | Annual |
| Eligible countries | BE |
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Eligibility & scope
Strategic Basic Research focusing on innovative research that, if scientifically successful, creates prospects for economic or societal applications. Open to teams of leading researchers at Flemish universities. Host institution must be in Flanders (Belgium).
Who Should Apply
- •Research teams based at Flemish universities or recognised research institutions
- •Researchers pursuing fundamental science with clear pathways to economic or societal benefit
- •Projects that bridge innovative basic research and application potential
- •Teams with collaborative strength and complementary expertise
Key Dates
- •Annual call cycle; verify exact deadline on FWO website
- •Four-year project duration
Tips for Applicants
- ✓Position the research at the strategy-to-application bridge: FWO favours basic science that articulates a realistic route to economic or societal outcome, not pure discovery.
- ✓Team composition matters, clearly define roles and complementarity among co-investigators; SBO panels assess implementation feasibility across the group.
- ✓Include a structured impact pathway section: identify stakeholders, sectors, and a plausible 5-10 year application timeline.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is an FWO SBO project?
Strategic Basic Research projects run for four years.
Who can apply for FWO SBO funding?
Research teams at Flemish universities and recognised research institutions in Belgium are eligible.
What kind of research does FWO SBO fund?
Innovative fundamental research with clear prospects for economic or societal application; not pure discovery or applied development alone.
Is FWO SBO recurring?
Yes, FWO runs the SBO call annually.
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Summary generated by AI based on published grant information. Always verify details on the funder's website.
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