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Curious about the latest opportunities for your companies? Read more about the instruments available to support your business.
Research and development
Ecology & investments
HR & Training
Export & Interregional development
Various regional and European initiatives for stimulating scientific research and industrial development exist for start-ups, SMEs and large enterprises, often on a project basis.
The successor of Horizon 2020 – offers a wide variety of grants for R&I activities in a EU-wide context. Based on three strategic pillars, this multiannual program issues specific calls for proposals. Often, three parties originating from three different countries are required.
>> Eligible for companies and research organisations with activities in EU
To bring an innovative product, service or business model to the (EU) market, the EIC Accelerator program provides funding (up to €2,5m) and/or equity to SMEs.
>> Eligible for SMEs with activities in EU
Cash grants for development & research projects from the Flemish Agency for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (VLAIO Onderzoeksproject & Ontwikkelingsproject).
>> Eligible for companies and organisations with activities in Flanders
Cash grants and incentives for research and development activities.
>> Eligible for companies and organisations with activities in Brussels
Subsidies and/or recoverable advances for industrial research & experimental development activities.
>> Eligible for companies and (research) organisations with activities in Wallonia
Subsidies for international R&D&I cooperation within a EU framework (examples include EUREKA, Eurostars, BEL-SME, ITEA, AAL, CORNET,…)
>> Eligible for EU companies
The investment deduction for eligible R&D activities and patents entitles a Belgian company or a Belgian branch of a foreign company to apply a deduction in addition to the annual depreciation expense of qualifying assets. The investment deduction may be calculated either as a percentage on the acquisition value of the qualifying asset (“one-shot” deduction) or as a percentage on the annual depreciation amount, in which case the investment deduction is spread over the depreciation period (“spread” deduction).
>> Eligible for companies with activities in Belgium
As an alternative to the investment deduction, companies may instead opt for a tax credit that is deductible from the corporate income tax due. The tax credit is equal to the investment deduction multiplied by the standard corporate tax rate. Therefore, although the calculation is different, the advantage is equivalent.
>> Eligible for companies with activities in Belgium
Up to 80% on the payroll tax on the salaries of researchers at companies and knowledge institutes can be exempted from withholding tax. The exemption can be applied for by: Companies that pay or grant salaries to researchers having PhD degrees, civil engineers, industrial engineers and holders of some master degrees.
>> Eligible for companies with activities in Belgium
Next to these funding schemes, many other R&D subsidy channels are available, often tailored to specific sectors and/or technologies, such as the European Space Agency (ESA), Knowledge and Innovation Centers (EIT KIC), Joint Undertakings (IBI, IMI2,…).
To illustrate the vast amount of R&D grants & incentives available, have a look at our worldwide R&D reference guide.
Do you want to find out how your company can benefit from R&D grant opportunities? We are more than happy to help you find the right program! Get in touch.
LIFE is large-scale EU funding program supporting Environment and Climate actions. Within each of these actions, specific calls for proposals are issued.
>> Eligible for companies with activities in EU
VLAIO supports ecology investments in environmentally friendly and energy efficient production processes based on standardized ecologic technologies (geothermic heat, heat pump,…).
>> Eligible for companies and organisations with activities in Flanders
Through the Strategic Ecology Support, VLAIO supports ecology investments in environmentally friendly and energy efficient production processes w.r.t. sustainable technology with a unique company-specific character.
>> Eligible for companies and organisations with activities in Flanders
The Belgian federal government (FOD Economy - Energietransitiefonds) supports innovations w.r.t. renewable energy, bio-based fuels, security of supply, balance of power grid, etc.
>> Eligible for companies and organisations with activities in Belgium
Companies making an energy saving investment, may be granted an investment deduction under certain conditions. This is a tax advantage allowing a specific percentage of the purchasing or investment value of the investments made during the taxable period to be deducted from taxable profits. The energy saving investments eligible for the increased investment deduction have to fall under a specific category. A list of these categories is available from VEA.
>> Eligible for companies and organisations with activities in Belgium
Subsidy (or tax exemption) for investments. Additional support for investments related to environmental protection sustainable use of energy.
>> Eligible for companies with activities in Wallonia
Strategic Transformation Support (STS) by VLAIO supports investments related to the introduction of a new or renewed product and based on an innovative service or process.
>> Eligible for companies and organisations with activities in Flanders
The subsidy landscape w.r.t. investments, ecology and sustainability is constantly changing, driven by the societal challenges that governments are facing today. Curious about the latest opportunities for your company? Let’s meet up!
Strategic Transformation Support (STS) by VLAIO supports extensive training projects that aim to transform both the company and the Flemish economy.
>> Eligible for all companies with activities in Flanders
The European Social Fund supports low-threshold measures through different types of calls, such as trainings in companies, sustainable career policies, and work reorganisations.
>> Eligible for all companies with activities in Flanders
SME’s that wish to grow through pivoting/transformation are supported by VLAIO for recruitment of a strategic employee or for advice of an external service provider
>> Eligible for SME's with activities in Flanders
Subsidy for recruiting and training job seekers
>> Eligible for small companies with activities in Wallonia
Subsidy for qualified, specific and collective trainings up to €80k.
>> Eligible for companies with activities in Wallonia
The Shuttle Fund was set up by the Flemish government to promote projects for sustainable commuter traffic. In the near future, the share of car solism in commuting should decrease. The share of bicycles and public transport must increase in commuter traffic.
>> Eligible for all companies with activities in Flanders
Subsidy to support small businesses recruiting job seekers.
>> Eligible for small enterprises with activities in Wallonia
These and many more instruments are available to support businesses for HR and training policies. To find out the most relevant programs with maximal impact for your company, contact one of our specialists.
The Flemish ERDF program subsidizes projects that increase competitiveness and stimulate employment. The ERDF is managed by the ERDF Entity of the Agency for Innovation & Entrepreneurship (Management Authority).
>> Eligible for all enterprises with activities in Flanders
The (Interreg) program aims to help stimulate transitions within clearly defined parts of the Horizon Europe domains and for which an integrated international approach is required by a multitude of players, sectors and levels of government.
>> Depending on the type of Interreg all companies/SMEs in Flanders/Wallonia/Brussels
Flanders Investment and Trade supports companies with internationalization plans by providing subsidies to found a prospection office, to perform business trips, to attend fairs, to translate websites/campaign material and/or to sell equipment to buyers from underdeveloped countries with insufficient purchasing power.
>> Eligible for SMEs with activities in Flanders
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Want to find out how your company can benefit from grant opportunities? We are more than happy to help you find the right program.
