Questions and Answers

A priori, there is no allocation of the earmarked project resources among the three different themes/roadmaps.

Each year, only one cSBO project can be approved by MateriNex (HBC decision, 2025). Applicants must demonstrate the project’s industrial relevance and potential for valorisation in Flanders. Both the pre-application submitted to MateriNex and the full proposal submitted to VLAIO must be accompanied by letters of intent signed by companies with valorisation potential.

For more information about the call projects and the different project types, please visit the 'project calls' page on the MateriNex website , where you will also find the applicable pre-application templates.  Please refer to the VLAIO website for project modalities and the corresponding manuals for cSBO, ICON, cO&O and feasibility studies: https://www.vlaio.be/nl/media/2218 (cSBO); https://www.vlaio.be/nl/media/2174 (ICON); https://www.vlaio.be/nl/media/668 (feasibility studies).

Please note that for ICON projects, cO&O projects and for feasibility studies, the consortium of the business part consists of a collaboration between at least 3 unaffiliated companies, none of these companies representing more than 70% of the eligible costs and at least two of them participating with VLAIO financial support.

The pre-application process is clear and straightforward. The steps to follow are clearly outlined in Project Calls.

If you have any questions, please contact us at this email address: projects [at] materinex.be

Neither the ICON, cO&O nor the cSBO project type is a regular innovation instrument at VLAIO, rather, they serve as the exclusive project instruments of spearhead clusters and thematic initiatives, such as MateriNex. This explains why they cannot be submitted directly to VLAIO.

Research organizations involved in a cSBO and the SBO component of an ICON will receive full funding from VLAIO.

MateriNex will help you manage and facilitate your application by providing expert advice, sound guidance and help you find the suitable project partners.

Similar to the IAB for a standalone cSBO project, an Industrial Advisory Board (IAB) is required for the SBO part of an ICON. The IAB will be informed of the general results of the ICON project generated by the research partners.

Companies outside of Flanders (and Belgium) that have their own valorization rationale may participate as project partners if they can contribute clear and significant added value to the project and consortium.

These companies will not receive financial support from MateriNex or VLAIO/FIO, but they may be eligible for support from their regional innovation agency.

If this applies to you, please contact MateriNex and VLAIO prior to submission.

Yes, the business part of the budget must amount to at least 50% of the total budget.

However, the preferred target for the balance at project level is 40% of the budget for the research part and 60% of the budget for the business part.

If a project starts with a 50/50 (business/research) ratio for the total budget and, for some reason, a company cannot carry out all the tasks initially foreseen until the end of the project, VLAIO will reduce the total funding of the research part accordingly to reach a 50/50 ratio again. 

VLAIO therefore advises that a margin be left and that a 60/40 (business/research) ratio be requested (as was the case until a few years ago). 

MateriNex can provide tips on how to organize your project budget.

MateriNex monitors project progress and supports dissemination activities. A MateriNex innovation manager attends the kick-off and progress meetings. VLAIO oversees approved projects, primarily through mandatory reporting.

Yes, MateriNex is working with the chairs and co-chairs of the Common Interest Groups (CIG) to establish a process for evaluating and updating the roadmaps in consultation with CIG members.

A CIG is a forum for involving as many stakeholders as possible in a MateriNex innovation theme.

Its primary purpose is to foster collaboration among stakeholders.

CIG members share state-of-the-art knowledge, present project results, and keep the roadmap for their innovation theme up to date.

Members may propose new roadmap application areas and/or focus areas within an application area and associated ambitions and targets.

The CIGs are an ideal forum for generating innovative project ideas and helping to develop projects to receive funding from MateriNex’s dedicated project funding resources.

Yes, as the CIG is also intended to be a networking group where you can share ideas or find relevant project partners.

MateriNex will assist in finding the right project partners, both industrial and research partners.

To this end, MateriNex can assist by distributing selected information to its network and conducting a targeted ‘request-for-partner’.

MateriNex will also organise matchmaking events where you can present your expertise and discuss your idea to find the right project partners.

MateriNex can help you turn your innovative ideas into concepts and projects.

MateriNex can also provide you with useful tips and tricks to consider when setting up and writing your project proposal.

Companies that are CIG members can participate in the evaluation of cSBO proposals by serving on the jury.