How Belgian Companies Can Access Horizon Europe Funding

With a total budget of approximately 95.5 billion euros running from 2021 to 2027, Horizon Europe is the world's largest public research and innovation funding programme. For Belgian companies with ambitious innovation plans, it offers funding at a scale that no national programme can match.

Belgium punches above its weight in EU framework programmes. The country consistently ranks among the top per-capita recipients, a testament to its strong research ecosystem and the quality of its technology-oriented businesses.

The most relevant opportunities for companies sit in Pillar II (Global Challenges and European Industrial Competitiveness) for collaborative research and innovation projects, and Pillar III (Innovative Europe) for individual breakthrough innovations through the EIC Accelerator.

Compared to Belgian regional grants, Horizon Europe offers higher funding rates — up to 70 percent for innovation actions and 100 percent for research — and significantly larger budgets per project.

Participation is open to any legal entity established in Belgium: SMEs, large companies, research institutions, universities, hospitals, and non-profits. Most calls have no sector restrictions.

Collaborative projects under Pillar II typically require a consortium of at least three independent entities from three different EU member states or associated countries. Belgian organisations can participate as partners or take the lead as coordinator.

The EIC Accelerator under Pillar III accepts applications from single SMEs without requiring a consortium, making it particularly accessible for Belgian companies that want to apply independently.

While eligibility is broad, competition is intense. Success rates generally fall between 10 and 15 percent. The quality of your proposal, the relevance to the call topic, and the credibility of your implementation plan are what separate winners from the rest.

Start with the BelGrant eligibility quiz to see if your company's innovation profile aligns with Horizon Europe opportunities.

All applications go through the EU Funding and Tenders Portal. Most collaborative calls use a two-stage evaluation: first a short concept, then a full proposal for those that make it through stage one.

Proposals are scored by independent experts on excellence, impact, and implementation quality. Each dimension has a threshold that must be met, and proposals are ranked within each call topic.

From call publication to signed grant agreement, expect a timeline of 8 to 12 months. This is not a quick funding source, and companies should plan accordingly.

Free support is available through Belgian National Contact Points operated by BELSPO and the regional innovation agencies. They provide proposal feedback, partner matching, and training that can substantially improve first-time applicants' chances.

In collaborative Horizon Europe projects, the consortium is often scrutinised as closely as the scientific content. Evaluators want to see complementary skills, geographic spread, clear role definitions, and realistic resource allocation.

Belgium's central location in Europe and its well-connected research network give companies a natural advantage in finding and attracting consortium partners from across the continent.

Quality beats quantity in consortium design. Five to eight partners with clearly defined, non-overlapping contributions typically produce stronger proposals than consortia with fifteen members and diffuse responsibilities.

The Lucas assistant can help you explore which Horizon Europe pillars and instruments best fit your company's innovation focus and partnership capabilities.

The European Innovation Council Accelerator provides blended finance to individual SMEs: up to 2.5 million euros as a grant plus up to 15 million euros as an equity investment. It is specifically designed for deep innovations that are too risky for private capital alone.

Belgian SMEs have a track record of success in the EIC Accelerator, especially in deep tech, health innovation, and sustainability sectors. The programme rewards bold ideas with clear market potential.

The application process includes a short proposal, a detailed full application, and a live pitch to a jury of experts and investors. No consortium is needed, which significantly simplifies the process.

Many Belgian applicants use VLAIO, Innoviris, or Wallonia grants to fund the time-intensive preparation phase before submitting to the EIC.

Begin preparation at least three to six months before the submission deadline. Good Horizon Europe proposals are never written in a hurry. The quality of the narrative, the precision of the budget, and the strength of the consortium all take time to develop.

Take advantage of the free NCP services. Belgian NCPs regularly review draft proposals and provide targeted feedback. This is one of the highest-value free resources available to applicants.

Think strategically about combining EU and regional funding. Regional grants can support the preparation of a Horizon Europe proposal, co-finance national contributions, or fund follow-up exploitation activities.

Monitor upcoming opportunities through the BelGrant blog, which tracks Horizon Europe calls and highlights those most relevant to the Belgian business landscape.