FONDS VOOR WETENSCHAPPELIJK ONDERZOEK-VLAANDEREN

Their core work

FWO is the primary public research funding agency for Flanders (Belgium), responsible for financing basic and strategic research across all scientific disciplines. Within H2020, FWO acts almost exclusively as a national funding body in ERA-NET Cofund networks — pooling Flemish research budgets with other European funders to launch joint transnational research calls. They do not conduct research themselves but enable it by aligning Flemish funding priorities with European research agendas in health, environment, food security, and quantum technologies. Their single coordinator role (PEGASUS²) funded international researcher mobility into and out of Flanders.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

In the early H2020 period (2014–2017), FWO joined ERA-NETs focused on foundational themes: biodiversity and ecosystem services (BiodivERsA3), humanities (HERA JRP UP), systems medicine, and basic disease research. The later period (2018–2025) shows a clear pivot toward circular economy, climate change adaptation, socio-ecological governance, antimicrobial resistance, and blue bioeconomy — reflecting updated EU and Flemish policy priorities. FET Flagship engagement (Graphene, Human Brain Project) also intensified in the second half, signaling growing interest in frontier technology funding.

FWO is increasingly aligning Flemish research funding with EU Green Deal priorities (climate, circular economy, biodiversity–climate nexus) and global health challenges like antimicrobial resistance.

How they like to work

FWO operates almost exclusively as a participant (39 of 40 projects), which is typical for national funding agencies in ERA-NET schemes — they bring national budget commitments rather than research capacity. With 339 unique consortium partners across 59 countries, they function as a funding hub connecting Flemish researchers to pan-European and international call networks. Working with FWO means accessing Flemish co-funding for joint transnational calls, not contracting them as a research performer.

FWO has collaborated with 339 distinct partners across 59 countries — an exceptionally wide network reflecting their role as a national funder in multilateral ERA-NET schemes that routinely include 20–30 funding agencies per consortium. Their reach extends well beyond Europe into Africa and the Americas through food security and development-oriented ERA-NETs like LEAP-AGRI and FOSC.

What sets them apart

FWO is not a research institute — it is the gateway to Flemish public research funding. Partnering with FWO in an ERA-NET means Flemish research groups can apply for co-funded grants under that call, effectively multiplying the consortium's geographic and financial reach. For anyone building a new ERA-NET or joint programming initiative, FWO brings a well-organized national funding system, strong coverage across scientific disciplines, and a track record of reliable participation in 36 ERA-NET Cofund actions.

Highlights from their portfolio

• PEGASUS-2
  FWO's only coordinated project and by far their largest (EUR 6.37M) — an MSCA-COFUND programme funding international researcher mobility to and from Flanders.
• QuantERA
  Largest ERA-NET participation by funding (EUR 650K) — the flagship European network for quantum technology research funding involving 30+ agencies.
• EJP RD
  Major European Joint Programme on Rare Diseases (EUR 574K) combining research funding, data sharing, and FAIR principles across dozens of national funders.