Belgian Subsidy Glossary — Key Terms Explained for SMEs

Belgian subsidy applications come loaded with specialised terminology. Whether you are applying through VLAIO, Innoviris, SPW, or an EU program, you will encounter terms like de minimis, state aid, co-financing, eligible costs, and TRL level.

This glossary explains the most important terms in plain English so you can focus on preparing a strong application rather than decoding jargon. Bookmark this page and return to it whenever you need a quick reference.

For personalised guidance on how specific terms apply to your project, ask the BelGrant assistant Lucas.

De minimis aid is government support considered too small to distort market competition. The current threshold is €300,000 over three rolling years per company (updated from €200,000 in 2024). Many Belgian subsidy programs fall under this framework.

State aid is broader — any public support that could give a company a competitive advantage in the EU single market. Larger grants above the de minimis threshold are subject to stricter EU rules, including the General Block Exemption Regulation (GBER).

When applying for subsidies, you will typically be asked to declare all de minimis aid received in the past three years. Keep track of every grant, including small amounts from different agencies.

Co-financing means you must fund part of the project yourself. If a subsidy covers 45% of eligible costs, you provide the remaining 55%. Subsidy intensity is the percentage of eligible costs the grant covers — SMEs typically receive higher rates than large companies.

Eligible costs are the specific expense categories the program will fund: personnel costs, subcontracting, materials, equipment depreciation, overheads, and sometimes travel. Costs before the project start date or after the end date are usually excluded.

Always verify the eligible cost categories in the specific program guidelines. Each program defines its own rules about what counts and what does not.

Your NACE code is the EU classification of your business activity, assigned in the KBO (Crossroads Bank for Enterprises). Many programs use NACE codes to define sector eligibility. Check yours on the KBO Public Search website.

Your KBO/BCE number is your 10-digit Belgian company identifier, required on virtually every subsidy application. It links your application to your official company registration data.

TRL (Technology Readiness Level) ranges from 1 (basic research) to 9 (market-ready). R&D programs specify which TRL range they support. Knowing your project's TRL helps you target the right funding programs.

A valorisation plan describes how you will commercialise your R&D results. Most innovation subsidies require one. Cover your target market, IP strategy, expected revenue, and go-to-market timeline.

Rolling calls accept applications continuously with no fixed deadline. Fixed calls (project calls) have a specific submission deadline and evaluate all applications competitively. Rolling calls offer more flexibility; fixed calls are often more competitive.

Other important terms include cumulation rules (how multiple grants can be combined), consortium requirements (for collaborative R&D projects), advance payments, reporting obligations, and audit rights. The BelGrant assistant can explain any of these in context.

Start with the eligibility quiz to find matching grants, then use this glossary when you encounter unfamiliar terms in program guidelines. The combination of finding the right grants and understanding the terminology gives you a strong foundation for any Belgian subsidy application.

For guidance on the full application process, including how to structure your budget and write a convincing project description, explore the BelGrant blog for step-by-step guides.