The Brussels-Capital Region provides funding for basic technological and industrial research, which includes the development of prototypes, new products and production processes, as well as the dissemination and transfer of technologies and technological innovation. Financial support is granted to companies, universities and research centres.
The region is one of the European hubs for scientific research and advanced technologies. It has adopted a proactive policy based on its natural assets: the presence of four university centres of excellence and four institutes of industrial higher education, three faculties of medicine and academic hospitals, as well as several public and private research centres. Within this nexus of intellectual capital, university research centres are closely linked with Brussels-based companies involved in the high-tech sector.
Scientific research in the Brussels-Capital Region is mainly geared towards highly specialised sectors and advanced technologies such as information technology, state-of-the-art equipment and processes, electromechanical engineering, biotechnology and life sciences, medical research and environmental protection.
Scientific research in the Brussels-Capital Region focuses on two strategic areas:
- Applied scientific research builds upon basic industrial research through the development of prototypes, collective, inter-regional initiatives and technological guidance.
- Pure scientific research concentrates on two framework programmes (alongside other European and regional programmes):
- 'Research in Brussels' which enables foreign researchers to work at universities and institutes of higher education in the Brussels-Capital Region, either as PhD researchers or lecturers who are on sabbatical, for a duration of 3 to 12 months, in order to realise projects of specific interest for the Region.
- 'Prospective Research for Brussels' which supports PhD students or graduate researchers working on projects contributing to the specific development of the Brussels-Capital Region.
The Brussels-Capital Region adheres to a legal framework for encouraging and funding industrial research and pre-competitive development projects. New legislation is now under consideration that would enhance the support the region can provide for scientific research and technological innovation. The region will continue to evolve new strategies in order to meet future challenges.
At the political level
The Minister for Economy of the Government of the Brussels-Capital Region is responsible for all research policy in the Brussels Region.
At the administrative level
IRSIB, a newly created body has been entrusted with the following tasks:
- To promote the development of new initiatives such as prototypes, new products and manufacturing processes in the Brussels-Capital Region through grants or interest-free loans.
- To support existing innovative projects.
- To promote international programmes for scientific and technical research, such as UE, EUREKA, COST, etc. and encourage the Brussels-Capital Region to take part in them.
With respect to profit-oriented research, ISRIB:
- Provides financial support, either in the form of subsidies or refundable deposits, which it awards to SMEs and large companies for industrial research and pre-competitive development projects.
- Funds technical feasibility studies carried out prior to the realisation of industrial research or pre-competitive projects.
- Pays part of the cost of filing and maintaining patents for projects originally funded by the Region.
- Funds university programmes which stimulate the launch of economically viable activities in the Region.
At the advisory level
Scientific Policy Committee
The main task of the Committee in charge of scientific policy is that of improving the co-ordination and communication regarding initiatives launched by the various parties involved. The committee provides the government of the Brussels-Capital Region with advice concerning its regional science policy. It is, therefore, the government's main representative vis-à-vis other national or foreign advisory panels.
Brussels Enterprise Agency (BEA)
The Brussels Enterprise Agency (BEA) is the initial entry point for EU-funded research and transitional technology cooperation. The BEA is funded by the Brussels-Capital Region. One of its missions is to support economic or research initiatives related to transnational technology cooperation. The BEA also provides tailor-made assistance to actual and potential participants in EU Research and Development Framework Programmes. Assistance can include partner searches, project validation or help with contractual, financial and intellectual property issues.
The BEA is the host organisation for the regionally based Enterprise Europe Network (EEN), known as Enterprise Europe Brussels (EEB). More than 40 countries are members of the EEN: the largest technology transfer network in the world. The BEA also acts as the National Contact Point (NCP) for SME activities for most of the 7th Framework Programme thematic areas.
