Horizon Europe for Belgian Companies: How to Access EU Funding

Horizon Europe is the European Union's framework programme for research and innovation, running from 2021 to 2027 with a total budget of approximately 95.5 billion euros. It is the single largest public research and innovation funding programme in the world.

Belgian companies, research institutions, and universities have historically performed well in EU framework programmes. Belgium consistently ranks among the top per-capita recipients of EU research funding, partly due to its strong network of research institutions and technology-oriented SMEs.

For companies, the most relevant parts of Horizon Europe are Pillar II (Global Challenges and European Industrial Competitiveness) and Pillar III (Innovative Europe), which includes the European Innovation Council and its EIC Accelerator programme.

Unlike most regional Belgian grants, Horizon Europe funding often covers up to 70 percent of costs for innovation actions and up to 100 percent for research actions. The grant amounts are also significantly larger, often ranging from hundreds of thousands to several million euros.

Any legal entity established in Belgium can participate in Horizon Europe, including SMEs, large companies, universities, research centres, and non-profit organisations. There is no sector restriction for most calls.

For collaborative projects under Pillar II, you typically need a consortium of at least three independent entities from three different EU member states or associated countries. Belgian companies can participate as consortium partners or coordinators.

The EIC Accelerator under Pillar III is specifically designed for individual SMEs with breakthrough innovations. This programme offers up to 2.5 million euros in grant funding and up to 15 million euros in equity investment, and Belgian SMEs can apply alone without a consortium.

Eligibility does not automatically mean competitiveness. Horizon Europe is highly competitive, with success rates often between 10 and 15 percent. The quality of the proposal, the strength of the consortium, and the alignment with the call topic are critical factors.

To verify whether your company profile fits Horizon Europe, start with the BelGrant eligibility quiz to get an initial assessment.

Horizon Europe applications are submitted through the EU Funding and Tenders Portal. Most calls follow a two-stage evaluation: a short proposal in stage one and a full proposal in stage two for those that pass the first evaluation.

The proposal must address the specific scope of the call topic, demonstrate scientific and technological excellence, explain the expected impact, and present a credible implementation plan with a qualified consortium.

Evaluation is done by independent expert reviewers who score the proposal on three criteria: excellence, impact, and quality of implementation. Each criterion is scored on a scale of 0 to 5, and thresholds must be met on each criterion.

The timeline from call publication to grant agreement signature typically spans 8 to 12 months. Companies should factor this into their planning and not expect rapid access to funds.

Belgian companies can access free support through the National Contact Points (NCPs) hosted by BELSPO and the regional innovation agencies. These experts help with proposal writing, consortium building, and understanding call requirements.

For collaborative projects, the consortium is often as important as the idea itself. Reviewers evaluate whether the consortium has the right mix of expertise, geographic diversity, and implementation capacity.

Belgian companies benefit from Belgium's central position in Europe and its dense network of research institutions. Partners can be found through the Funding and Tenders Portal partner search tool, through NCP networking events, or through existing professional contacts.

A strong consortium typically includes academic partners for research depth, industrial partners for market access and exploitation, and possibly end-user organisations for validation. The coordinator role carries more administrative burden but also more visibility and influence over the project direction.

Avoid building a consortium that is too large or too homogeneous. Five to eight strong partners often work better than fifteen mediocre ones. Each partner should have a clear role and a genuine contribution to the project objectives.

The Lucas assistant can help you understand which Horizon Europe pillars and instruments are most relevant to your company's innovation profile.

The European Innovation Council Accelerator is the EU's flagship programme for supporting breakthrough innovations by individual SMEs. It provides blended finance: up to 2.5 million euros as a grant and up to 15 million euros as an equity investment.

Belgian SMEs have performed well in the EIC Accelerator, particularly in deep tech, health tech, and clean tech sectors. The programme targets innovations that are too risky for private investors alone but have the potential for significant market impact.

The application process involves a short application followed by a full application and an interview with a jury of investors and innovators. The success rate is competitive but higher than for collaborative Horizon Europe calls.

One key advantage for Belgian SMEs is that the EIC Accelerator does not require a consortium. A single company can apply, which simplifies the process significantly compared to collaborative proposals.

Start preparing well before the call deadline. Successful Horizon Europe proposals typically require three to six months of preparation, including consortium building, writing, and internal alignment.

Use the free support available through Belgian NCPs. They offer proposal reviews, partner searches, and training sessions that significantly improve your chances of success.

Combine Horizon Europe with regional support. Many Belgian companies use VLAIO, Innoviris, or Wallonia grants to fund the preparatory phase of a Horizon Europe application.

Read the work programme and call text carefully. Proposals that do not align closely with the specific scope of the call have virtually no chance of success, regardless of the quality of the science or the team.

Check the BelGrant blog regularly for updates on upcoming Horizon Europe calls relevant to Belgian companies.