UNIVERSITE LIBRE DE BRUXELLES

Their core work

ULB is a major Belgian research university with deep strengths in biomedical science (diabetes, cancer, drug discovery), theoretical physics (string theory, conformal field theory), materials science (graphene), and climate research. They run large-scale clinical trial networks, contribute to flagship EU research initiatives like the Graphene Flagship, and maintain strong social science programs covering political economy, globalisation, and civil society. Their Brussels location makes them a natural hub for EU-level coordination, and they frequently lead international training networks (MSCA-ITN) that develop the next generation of researchers.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

In the early H2020 period (2014–2018), ULB focused on biomarkers, stem cell communication, graphene fundamentals, and energy-efficient buildings — a broad portfolio anchored in basic research and training. From 2019 onward, the emphasis shifted toward climate feedbacks, drug discovery, cancer research, and social science themes like civil society and diversity, signaling a move from foundational science toward more application-oriented and societally engaged research. The theoretical physics strand (CFT, string theory) has remained constant throughout, reflecting an enduring institutional strength.

ULB is moving from pure fundamental research toward translational medicine (drug discovery, clinical trials) and climate-society intersections — expect growing interest in applied health and sustainability partnerships.

How they like to work

ULB coordinates 38% of its projects — unusually high for a university, indicating strong project leadership capacity and administrative experience with EU grant management. With 1,091 unique consortium partners across 71 countries, they operate as a major network hub rather than sticking to a fixed set of collaborators. Their heavy use of MSCA training networks and CSA coordination actions shows they are comfortable both leading research and organizing large multi-partner capacity-building efforts.

ULB has partnered with over 1,090 distinct organizations across 71 countries, making it one of the most broadly connected universities in H2020. Their Brussels base and French-speaking profile give them natural bridges to both Western European research powerhouses and Francophone African/Asian institutions.

What sets them apart

ULB combines unusually strong coordination capacity with genuine research depth across both hard sciences and social sciences — a rare combination that makes them effective at leading interdisciplinary consortia. Their Brussels location provides proximity to EU institutions, which translates into practical advantages for policy-oriented projects and CSA-type coordination actions. For consortium builders, ULB offers a partner who can both do serious science and handle the political-administrative complexity of large EU projects.

Highlights from their portfolio

• T2DSystems
  ULB-coordinated €1.5M systems biomedicine project tackling type 2 diabetes through functional genomics and multi-omics integration — their largest health coordination.
• PEMP
  €1.5M ERC grant on political economy and multicandidate elections, showcasing ULB's strength in rigorous social science with laboratory experiments.
• APOLs
  €2.25M ERC Consolidator grant on apolipoproteins in immunity and disease — their highest-funded single project, running six years.