Grants and subsidies can fund a meaningful share of a research and development project, but the money only follows a well-built application. We help innovative companies in Belgium secure non-dilutive R&D funding through the Flemish agency VLAIO, the Brussels agency Innoviris, and the European Union's Horizon Europe programme, from the first feasibility study through to milestone reporting and payment.

Which R&D funding is available in Belgium?

VLAIO (Flanders)

VLAIO, Flanders Innovation and Entrepreneurship, supports development and research projects for companies based in Flanders, including smaller feasibility studies that test whether a larger project is viable before you commit to it.

Innoviris (Brussels)

Innoviris, the Brussels regional innovation agency, funds research, development and proof-of-concept projects for companies and organisations in the Brussels-Capital Region.

Horizon Europe (EU)

Horizon Europe is the European Union's research and innovation framework programme. It funds collaborative and single-company projects, often at higher amounts and across borders, with correspondingly more demanding applications.

Start with a feasibility study

A feasibility study is often the smartest first step. It is cheaper to fund, it de-risks the larger project, and a well-run study positions you for the development or research grant that follows.

How this connects to the rest of your innovation funding

Grants are one of three levers, and they work best in combination. The same R&D that a subsidy supports can also qualify for the withholding tax exemption for R&D staff and can feed the innovation income deduction once the work produces protected IP. Because the resulting patents and software become commercial assets, this work also runs into our patent strategy and into any funding round or transaction where that IP is valued.

How we help

We scope the project against the right instrument, write the application in the agency's language and logic, structure the budget, and manage milestone reporting and payment so the funding actually lands. We coordinate the grant, the withholding exemption and the innovation income deduction as one plan rather than three separate filings.

Frequently asked questions

Can a small company apply? Yes. VLAIO feasibility studies in particular are sized for smaller projects and early-stage questions.

Can we combine a grant with the R&D tax incentives? Yes, with care on how the same costs are allocated, which is exactly what we coordinate.

Do we need to be in Flanders or Brussels? The regional agency depends on where you are based, VLAIO for Flanders and Innoviris for Brussels, while Horizon Europe is open across the EU.