Innoviris Proof of Concept — Complete Guide 2026

The Innoviris Proof of Concept (PoC) grant is a funding instrument offered by Innoviris, the Brussels Institute for Research and Innovation. Its purpose is to bridge the gap between a raw research idea and a commercially viable product or service.

Unlike larger R&D programmes that require a fully developed business case, the PoC grant is designed for an earlier stage: validating that a technical concept actually works before committing to full-scale development. It is one of the most accessible entry points into public innovation funding in the Brussels-Capital Region.

The programme is available on a rolling basis throughout the year, which removes one of the most common barriers startups face: missing a fixed annual deadline. Applications can be submitted as soon as the project is ready, making it particularly suited to early-stage ventures with a clear innovation idea.

To be eligible, the applicant must be based in the Brussels-Capital Region or must carry out the research activities in Brussels. This applies to both individual researchers affiliated with a Brussels university or research centre and to companies legally established in the region.

Startups are the primary target audience, especially those that have identified a technology or process innovation and need funding to test whether it is technically feasible. Spin-offs from universities and research institutions are also strongly encouraged to apply.

The project itself must have a clear innovative dimension. Innoviris evaluates whether the idea goes beyond the current state of the art, meaning it must represent a genuine scientific or technological advance rather than an incremental improvement to an existing product.

Companies that are already generating significant revenues from commercialised products may find more appropriate fit in other innovation grants in Belgium, as PoC is explicitly positioned for pre-commercial validation phases.

The Innoviris Proof of Concept grant covers up to €100,000 per project. This is provided as a non-repayable subsidy, meaning it does not need to be paid back as long as the project is executed in accordance with the grant agreement.

The funding is typically provided at an intensity of 100% for non-profit applicants such as universities and public research organisations. For companies, the subsidy rate can vary depending on company size and project characteristics, but remains highly favourable compared to most commercial financing options.

The grant is designed to cover 12 to 18 months of proof-of-concept activities. This timeframe is intentionally kept short to maintain focus and momentum. Projects that require longer development timelines may be better served by applying to larger Innoviris programmes after completing the PoC phase.

Personnel costs are the largest eligible category and typically represent the majority of the budget. This includes the salaries of researchers, engineers, and technical staff directly involved in the project, calculated on the basis of actual hourly costs.

Equipment and materials directly necessary for the proof-of-concept activities are eligible, though Innoviris applies proportionality rules. Large capital investments are generally not funded under PoC; the focus is on consumables, prototyping materials, and lab access fees.

Subcontracting to specialised third parties is allowed under certain conditions, provided the work cannot be done in-house and the subcontractor is selected through a fair process. Overhead costs can be included using a flat-rate mechanism applied to direct personnel costs.

Costs such as marketing, commercial activities, and patent filing that go beyond the scope of technical validation are typically not eligible. Innoviris expects the PoC budget to remain strictly focused on testing and validating the technical concept.

Applications are evaluated on four main dimensions: the degree of innovation and novelty of the concept, the scientific or technical credibility of the proposed approach, the relevance to the Brussels innovation ecosystem, and the applicant's capacity to execute the work.

Reviewers pay particular attention to whether the proof-of-concept activities are clearly defined and measurable. A vague project description is one of the most common reasons for rejection. Strong applications specify exactly what will be tested, how success will be measured, and what happens if the hypothesis is not confirmed.

The potential for commercialisation or societal impact after the PoC phase is also considered, even though the grant itself does not fund commercial activities. Innoviris wants to see a credible next step: if the PoC is successful, what would the applicant do next?

The first step is to check the latest eligibility conditions on the official Innoviris website, as criteria and forms are updated periodically. Register for an Innoviris account if you do not already have one, then download the current application template.

Prepare a project description that clearly explains the innovation, the current state of the art, the specific hypothesis being tested, the methodology, and the expected results. Attach a detailed budget justification that maps each cost line to a specific project activity.

Submit the application through the official Innoviris online portal. After submission, a team of internal reviewers will conduct an administrative check. Projects that pass this step proceed to an external scientific evaluation, which typically takes 6 to 10 weeks.

If approved, you will receive a grant agreement outlining the project timeline, reporting obligations, and payment schedule. Innoviris typically pays grants in instalments: an advance upon signing, and further tranches upon submission of progress reports.

Not sure which Innoviris programme fits your situation best? Ask Lucas, the BelGrant AI assistant, to match your project profile to the right funding track in minutes.

Be specific about what you are proving. Applications that describe a general direction rather than a concrete hypothesis rarely succeed. Define a clear go / no-go criterion: what result would confirm or refute the feasibility of your concept?

Show that you have done your homework on the state of the art. Reviewers want to see that you understand the existing landscape and can articulate precisely how your approach differs from or improves upon it.

Demonstrate team credibility. Include short CVs or profiles of the key people involved, emphasising their relevant expertise. For startups without a long track record, this is often the most important trust signal in the application.

Explore the full range of innovation grants available in Belgium before committing to PoC alone. In some cases, combining Innoviris PoC with a complementary federal or EU instrument can significantly increase total available funding.