Extra investment of €45 million for research and innovation
The government of Flanders is increasing the annual budget for research, development and innovation by €45, largely for infrastructure improvements and applied research
Application of new knowledge necessary, says minister
The Flemish government’s agency for innovation through science and technology (IWT) is getting €4 million more to support companies in research and development. The Hercules foundation, which supports companies and research centres in installing the most advanced infrastructure, will receive €10 million more.
To encourage eco-innovation, Vito, the Flemish Institute for Technical Research, will see an annual budget increase of €2.6 million, while the government’s Environmental and Energy Technology Innovation Platform (Mip) receives €2 million extra.
The Industrial Research Fund, which universities and colleges use to carry out applied research, can count on an extra €7 million. Finally, the government is also investing in researchers of the future by contributing €400,000 more to hands-on science and technology centre Technopolis.
“This budget increase is necessary, as the future of our industry lies in the development and application of new knowledge,” explained Flemish innovation minister Ingrid Lieten.
