Research funding

The Flemish universities have their own budget for organising internal research and managing research according to their policy priorities. This Special Research Fund (Bijzonder Onderzoeksfonds, BOF) is managed by the Directorate Research, Library and Internationalisation. BOF funding is organised in different programmes and is evaluated and allocated on the advice of the Hasselt University Research Council.

In addition, the university has an Industrial Research Fund (Industrieel Onderzoeksfonds, IOF). As is the case with BOF, its funds derive from the Flemish government. The aim of the IOF is to put knowledge to practical use in the form of social and/or industrial applications. It is managed by the IOF Board of Hasselt University.

Through various funds and institutes, Flanders seeks to boost excellence in fundamental research and increase the capacity for creative and innovative entrepreneurship. 
The Research Foundation Flanders (Fonds Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek, FWO) is the main funder of fundamental research in Flanders. 
Flanders Innovation & Entrepreneurship (Agentschap Innoveren & Ondernemen, Vlaio) offers funding for strategic base research, applied research and research in collaboration with the industry.

• FWO-programmes

• Vlaio-programmes

At the federal level, support for scientific research is organised through the Federal Science Policy, BELSPO. BELSPO is responsible for coordinating the federal science policy and offers various individual research scholarships every year. It also funds multidisciplinary research cooperation across community and regional boundaries through the Belgian Research Action through Interdisciplinary Networks (BRAIN-programme).

Europe also invests in research. Horizon Europe runs from 2021 to 2027, with a budget of €95,5 billion. Horizon Europe finances almost any type of research, in almost any domain. Additionally, the European Union funds the Cohesion policy, with the programmes Interreg, EFRD and ESF.

Scholarships and mandates
When you apply for personal funding, this is usually in the form of a mandate or a scholarship. You will then be associated with the university under scholarship or mandate (fellowship) status.

What exactly is the difference?
For the university, there are a number of administrative and financial differences. The doctoral student him- or herself will only experience few practical differences: the working conditions are virtually identical. Among the things that do vary is the duration of the appointment. A doctoral scholarship holder is appointed for a maximum of four years. By contrast, a fellowship lasts six years. In addition, a scholarship holder takes on minimal teaching and service responsibilities, whereas a fellowship holder is required to assume such roles – on condition that a maximum 50 percent of his/her working time is free for working on the doctoral thesis.

More information
More information about the appointment types and the precise financial, fiscal, administrative and other implications can be obtained from Hasselt University’s HR department.

Researchers can apply for project funding, to cover operational, equipment and staff costs with a view to carrying out a research project.. This funding usually has a term of four years and is made available to the research group that applies for the project funding.

The main funder of fundamental research projects is the FWO. The New Initiatives programme of the Hasselt University BOF also provides project funding. To qualify for it, researchers must first submit an application to the FWO. Only project proposals submitted to the FWO have a chance of winning funding.
BELSPO provides funding to develop multidisciplinary projects across community and regional borders. For applied projects, there are various programmes available at Vlaio. For setting up research projects between several European partners, EU programmes such as Horizon 2020 are the ideal funding channels.

Hasselt University encourages mobility of its researchers. The spreading of knowledge can lead to new insights, developments and applications.

• Outgoing mobility.
• Incoming mobility
• Intersectoral mobility
• Incentive fund & Global Minds

Also the Incentive Fund of the International Office supports mobility.

There are also various funding programmes for mobility to a specific country.

Combining knowledge and expertise in research domains can lead to new insights and ideas, and can also increase a research projects's national and international reputation. There are various programmes specifically aimed at fostering scientific cooperation with other partners. These other partners can be national or international researchers. The grants typically cover the cost of network activities (conferences and seminars, publications, joint workshops,...).

Scientific conferences and workshops are important tools for the dissemination of knowledge and the building and maintaining  of national and international contacts and networks. As well as taking time, organising conferences  is also costly. Funding possibilities are therefore available.

Hasselt University receives regular invitations to nominate its researchers (professors, PhD candidates, postdocs, etc.) for scientific awards and chairs.
Some of the well-known national and international awards and chairs are: