VLAIO - Intercluster cSBO call 2027

Research

What?

The seven Flemish spearhead clusters, Biovia, Blue Cluster, Catalisti, ENT.A, Flanders' FOOD, Flux50 and VIL, are launching a new call for intercluster cSBO projects. Through this call, the clusters aim to stimulate projects that align with the innovation priorities of multiple clusters and create clear added value for their members.

As a maximum of two intercluster cSBO projects can be submitted to VLAIO in 2027, a call-based selection system is being used. This ensures that the most promising proposals have the opportunity to be further developed into a full application and avoids first come, first served situations. Before applicants submit their pre-proposal application, the basic principles and requirements listed here below apply:

• at least three spearhead clusters must be involved in the preproposal application;
• argumentation on why strategic basic research is necessary and how this research can later translate into more applied research. This also includes argumentation why other project instruments such as ICON and COOCK+ are not viable options for the research topic under consideration. This reasoning must be included in the pre-proposal application.
• the project is clearly demand-driven by the industry and linked to the participating spearhead clusters.
• clear description of how the icSBO proposal fits with and is linked to the spearhead clusters’ roadmaps and projects with a clear differentiating and complementary factor to the latter.
• preference is given to short-term and smaller-scale projects (preferably limited to 2-3 years).

For the 2027 call, the research theme of the submitted pre-proposal should align with the involved spearhead clusters’ roadmaps and innovation trajectories. The roadmaps and/or innovation trajectories are listed in the guidelines of this call.

cSBO projects (strategic basic research) lay the foundation for new knowledge, technologies and applications that can ultimately lead to economic and societal impact. The intercluster approach encourages collaboration across sector boundaries and creates opportunities for new cross-fertilisation between different value chains.

Project proposals must align with the innovation priorities of multiple clusters and be based on concrete needs from the field. For 2027, a maximum of two projects will be selected for further development into a full project proposal for submission to VLAIO.

Who?

Only organisations that meet the criteria for a research and knowledge dissemination organisation, as set out in the European regulations on state aid for research, development and innovation, are allowed to participate. As a minimum, and in accordance with the SBO-decree, a cSBO project proposal must be submitted (i) by at least two research groups from a University or (ii) by other Flemish research centres, such as strategic research centres (SOC's), with the involvement of at least one other knowledge institute.

Application?

Applicants must submit their pre-proposal using the provided template before 23h59 on the 20th of November 2026 via all dedicated contact persons of the involved clusters (p.4 of the guidelines). Pre-proposals submitted after the deadline are not eligible.


Communication of pre-proposal selection: 18 December 2026 
Submission full proposal: 31st of May 2027 

Regulations?

Guidelines and pre-proposal template

More information?

You can find more information on the Blue Cluster website.

Please always contact research@uhasselt.be if you want to apply.
  

Deadline intern

13.11.2026, 20.11.2026

Contact Hasselt University?

E-mail sarah.szyr@uhasselt.be

Tel. +3211269052