Project Accelerator

Innovative materials solutions require more than a promising idea. They depend on a clearly defined challenge, the right combination of partners and a shared ambition to create impact.

The MateriNex Project Accelerator brings companies, researchers and other stakeholders together at an early stage and guides promising ideas towards strong ICON project proposals.

Through a structured four-step process, MateriNex helps participants explore opportunities, shape project concepts, build balanced consortia and prepare proposals for submission.

1. Explore opportunities

Each pathway begins with an open Exploration Session around a specific materials-related theme.

MateriNex brings together companies from across the value chain, research organisations and other relevant stakeholders to identify shared challenges, explore research needs and generate potential project ideas.

2. Shape the strongest ideas

Promising ideas move forward to targeted Project Shaping Tables.

In these focused discussions, potential partners further define the challenge, clarify the intended application, identify the expertise required and explore how a future consortium could be structured.

3. Develop the proposal

Selected consortia enter an intensive Proposal Sprint supported by MateriNex.

Partners work together to refine the project concept, define roles and work packages, and prepare the short pre-registration and subsequent ICON project proposal.

4. Prepare for submission

The intended outcome is a balanced consortium and a strong ICON proposal that is strategically, scientifically and administratively ready for submission.

The Project Accelerator is designed for organisations and individuals who want to develop collaborative research and innovation projects in sustainable materials. Whether you are looking for partners, exploring a new research challenge or preparing an ICON proposal, MateriNex helps bring the right stakeholders together at the right time.

It is particularly relevant for:

• Companies looking for research partners to address innovation challenges.
• Researchers and knowledge institutions seeking industrial collaboration and pathways to impact.
• Organisations with an innovation challenge that requires collaborative research.
• Stakeholders who want to contribute to future materials innovation and strengthen the Flemish innovation ecosystem.

• Connect with the right industrial and academic partners.
• Validate your innovation challenge with the wider ecosystem.
• Shape a stronger collaborative research project.
• Build a balanced consortium for long-term collaboration.
• Prepare a competitive ICON proposal.

Within the Materials for Building and Construction roadmap, the MateriNex Project Accelerator is currently being developed around three priority themes.

Bio-based materials (ongoing)

The first Exploration Session took place during Biobased Future Day, bringing together stakeholders to identify opportunities for new collaborative research.

Read more about Biobased Future Day.

Climate-adaptive building materials (open for registration)

The next Exploration Session will take place on 17 September 2026 and will focus on accelerating the adoption of climate-adaptive building materials.

Participants will explore practical needs, research gaps and opportunities for future collaboration, including a possible ICON follow-up trajectory.

Discover the event

Wood (comming soon)

A Project Accelerator pathway around wood and wood-based materials will be developed later in 2026.

More information to follow

Not sure where your idea fits? Get in touch with the MateriNex team to discuss your challenge and explore whether the Project Accelerator is the right pathway for your organisation.

• Climate-adaptive Building Materials (17 Sept)
• Bio-based Materials
• Wood (coming soon)