Go Back
Description
Expected Outcome
Scope
Partner Requests
Contact
Related Fundings
Add to favorites:
Share:

International research infrastructure – Funding call

Description

The International Research Infrastructure (IRI) programme supports Flemish participation in and/or funding of international research infrastructure initiatives. Research infrastructure includes facilities and resources that enable frontier and strategic basic research across all scientific disciplines, such as scientific equipment, collections, natural habitats, corpora, databases, and connections to data platforms.

International research infrastructure refers to infrastructure operating within a collaborative framework between countries or regions, typically as a legal entity or an entity in the process of becoming one. The programme aims to support the participation of Flanders in large-scale international or supranational research facilities that are strategically important for Flemish research.

Funding Amount

  • Project duration: 4 years, with the possibility of renewal for up to 2 additional years.
  • Funding may cover a range of costs related to participation in international infrastructure, including:
    • Equipment and research investments
    • Personnel costs
    • Institutional and operational costs
    • Logistic costs
  • Funding amount per project depends on the scale of participation in the infrastructure initiative.

Submission Deadlines

  • Call opening: 19 January 2026
  • Intake interviews: 24 and 26 March 2026
  • Submission deadline: 4 May 2026 (17:00 CET)
  • Rebuttal phase: August–September 2026
  • Science Commission interviews: 1–2 October 2026
  • Strategy Commission evaluation: November 2026
  • Announcement of results: December 2026

Eligible Types of Businesses

  • Universities and research institutions in Flanders
  • Flemish research consortia responsible for participating in international research infrastructure initiatives.

Applications must be submitted through the host research institution of the infrastructure supervisor.

Eligible Countries

  • Belgium (Flanders) must host the applicant institution.
  • The infrastructure must be international in nature, involving collaboration between multiple countries or regions.

Submission Conditions

  • Applications must be prepared through the FWO e-portal by the infrastructure supervisor and submitted by the host institution.
  • Proposals must comply with the formal requirements of the FWO application forms and guidelines.
  • Applications are subject to external peer review by international experts.
  • Applicants may respond to reviewer comments during a rebuttal phase.
  • Proposals are evaluated by:
    • the Science Commission (scientific quality), and
    • the Strategy Commission (strategic importance and feasibility of the investment).
  • Applications are admissible only if:
    • the infrastructure was previously included in a successful roadmap application or earlier IRI funding, and
    • duplicate applications for the same infrastructure are not submitted.

Expected Outcome

The programme aims to:

  • Strengthen Flemish participation in international and supranational research infrastructures
  • Enable access to large-scale international scientific facilities for researchers in Flanders
  • Support strategically important research infrastructure investments that contribute to high-level research across disciplines
  • Enhance international collaboration and scientific capacity through participation in global infrastructure initiatives.

Scope

The programme supports Flemish participation in international investment initiatives for research infrastructure. Funding may cover:

  • The decision for Flanders to participate in an international research infrastructure
  • The payment of membership fees for participation
  • The financing of activities or investments linked to participation in the international infrastructure

Supported infrastructures may be single-sited, distributed, or virtual and can include scientific equipment, datasets, collections, and other resources enabling research.

Partner Requests

Explore Real Collaboration Opportunities

🔍 As a logged-in member, you now have exclusive access to all active Partner Requests for this Funding Call.
See who’s looking for collaborators, explore exciting project ideas, and discover how others are planning to make an impact.

💡 Use these insights to get inspired—or take the next step and start a request of your own (first 3 entries for free).

Log in or registrate here for free.

Ask our experts about this call

Connect with the Listing Owner!

💬 Please log in now to send a direct message to our experts and ask your questions. Not a member yet? Sign up for free and start connecting today!

Related Funding and Finance Opportunities

Unlock Exclusive Funding Opportunities!

🔑 Get instant access to tailored funding opportunities that perfectly match your needs. This powerful feature is exclusively available to our professional members—helping you save time, stay ahead of the competition, and secure the right funding faster.

Upgrade to Professional now and never miss an important opportunity again! Already a member? Log in here to explore your matches.

Related Innovation Offers

Discover Tailored Innovation Offers!

🚀 Gain access to technology solutions that match your specific needs and interests—carefully selected to support your innovation goals. These offers are exclusively available to our professional members, helping you identify relevant technologies faster and start the right conversations with potential partners.

Upgrade to Professional now and explore your personalized technology matches today! Already a member? Log in here to view your tailored offers.

Related Knowledgeable Resources

Discover More with Professional: Related Knowledge Resources

🔒 You’re missing out on expert-curated knowledge specifically matched to this topic. As a professional member, you gain exclusive access to in-depth articles, guides, and insights that help you make smarter decisions, faster.

Whether you’re preparing a funding proposal, researching a new market, or just need reliable information—our professional knowledge matches save you hours of research and point you directly to what matters.

Upgrade to Professional now and instantly unlock relevant knowledge tailored to your needs! Already a member? Log in here to view your personalized content.