Horizon Europe for Belgian Companies: Accessing EU Innovation Funding

Horizon Europe is the European Union's framework programme for research and innovation with a budget of approximately 95.5 billion euros from 2021 to 2027. It represents the single largest source of public innovation funding available to Belgian companies outside of national programmes.

Belgium has a strong track record in EU framework programmes. The country consistently ranks among the highest per-capita recipients of Horizon funding, reflecting both the quality of Belgian research institutions and the competitiveness of Belgian companies in innovation-driven sectors.

For companies that find regional Belgian grants too small for their ambitions, Horizon Europe offers funding at a completely different scale. Innovation action grants can cover up to 70 percent of project costs, and research actions up to 100 percent.

The EIC Accelerator, specifically targeting SMEs with breakthrough innovations, offers up to 2.5 million euros in grant funding and up to 15 million euros in equity. This makes it one of the most attractive single-company funding instruments in Europe.

Any legal entity established in Belgium can participate in Horizon Europe. This includes SMEs, large corporations, universities, research centres, hospitals, and non-profit organisations. There are no sector restrictions for most calls.

For collaborative projects under Pillar II, the standard requirement is a consortium of at least three independent legal entities from three different EU member states or associated countries. Belgian companies can serve as coordinator or partner.

The EIC Accelerator under Pillar III allows single SMEs to apply without a consortium, making it significantly more accessible for companies that do not have existing international research networks.

Being eligible does not guarantee competitiveness. Success rates typically range from 10 to 15 percent. Strong proposals require deep alignment with the call topic, a credible team, and a clear path to impact.

Use the BelGrant eligibility quiz to get an initial assessment of whether Horizon Europe instruments match your company's innovation profile.

Applications are submitted through the EU Funding and Tenders Portal. Most calls follow a two-stage process: a short proposal evaluated on excellence and impact, followed by a full proposal for shortlisted applicants.

Proposals are evaluated by independent expert panels on three criteria: scientific and technological excellence, expected impact, and quality and efficiency of implementation. Each criterion must meet a minimum threshold.

The process from call opening to grant agreement typically takes 8 to 12 months. This timeline requires companies to plan well ahead and not rely on Horizon Europe for short-term funding needs.

Belgian National Contact Points hosted by BELSPO and regional agencies provide free support including proposal reviews, partner searches, and training. This support significantly improves the quality of first-time applications.

For collaborative projects, the consortium is evaluated as carefully as the idea. Reviewers look for complementary expertise, geographic diversity, implementation capacity, and a clear division of roles.

Belgium's central European location and strong academic network make it easier to find partners. The Funding and Tenders Portal includes a partner search tool, and NCP networking events connect potential collaborators.

Keep consortia focused. Five to eight committed partners typically outperform consortia of fifteen with diluted responsibilities. Each partner should bring a specific capability that the project needs.

The Lucas assistant can help you understand which Horizon Europe instruments and pillars best match your innovation activities.

The EIC Accelerator is the EU's flagship instrument for breakthrough innovation by individual SMEs. It provides blended finance combining grants of up to 2.5 million euros with equity investments of up to 15 million euros.

Belgian SMEs have a strong record in the EIC Accelerator, particularly in deep tech, healthtech, and cleantech. The programme specifically targets innovations that are too risky for conventional investors but have high market potential.

The application involves a short proposal, a full application, and an in-person interview with a jury. No consortium is required, which dramatically simplifies the process for individual companies.

Companies preparing for the EIC Accelerator should also consider using regional grants from VLAIO, Innoviris, or Wallonia programmes to finance the preparation phase.

Start preparation three to six months before the deadline. Successful proposals are never rushed. Invest time in understanding the call text, building the right consortium, and crafting a compelling narrative.

Leverage the free NCP support available to Belgian companies. These experts have seen hundreds of proposals and can identify weaknesses before you submit. This service alone can meaningfully improve your success rate.

Combine EU funding with regional support strategically. Regional grants can fund the proposal writing phase, proof-of-concept work, or national co-financing requirements for EU projects.

Stay updated on upcoming calls through the BelGrant blog, which tracks Horizon Europe opportunities relevant to Belgian businesses across all sectors.