FWO thematic call for research projects in the field of "Innovation in the Agriculture and Food Sector"

Research

Funding organisation:

Fonds voor Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek - Vlaanderen

What?

A research project within the thematic call "Innovation in the Agriculture and Food Sector" involves innovative strategic basic research that, in case of scientific success, provides prospects for future economic or societal applications (in the form of a new products, processes and/or services). The scientific research is expected to offer practical solutions or policy support to facilitate the transformation and innovation within the agriculture and food sector, including aspects such as profitability, environmental impact, climate, agro-ecology, short food supply chains, biodiversity and scalability.

Based on the outcome of the "FIT4Food" research agenda and the objectives of the "Flemish Food Strategy," the following eligible research themes have been defined. These are clustered under three overarching domains.

• Agriculture and food systems within ecological boundaries: sustainable agricultural practices and crops and animal welfare: Systems thinking; Ecologically sustainable agricultural practices; Alternative protein sources; Alternative agricultural systems; Circular food systems; Animal welfare; Water storage by agricultural systems.
• Healthy and sustainable food for everyone: Food environments; Criteria and labeling; Citizen trust; Citizen science projects.
• Resilient food economy: New business models; Pricing; Fair and sustainable trade

These themes are further explained in the applicant's guide.

Duration: 4 years

Maximum of €425,000/year (excluding 17% overhead) per project year and per participating legal entity with a minimum share of 15% of the total project budget. Funding percentage: 100%.

Who?

A project proposal can be submitted by a principal investigator affiliated with one of the five universities in the Flemish Community or a principal investigator affiliated with a Flemish research center (e.g., VITO, VIB, IMEC, VLIZ, Flemish university colleges, Flemish scientific institutions funded by the government, etc.).

In addition to these institutions, non-Flemish research centers can participate as partners in the consortium for a maximum of 20% of the budget, provided that there is a justification stating that the involvement of this partner is necessary for the successful implementation of the project and to achieve the project's utilization objectives.

Each legal entity participating in the consortium must meet the definition of a research institution (i.e. a research and knowledge-dissemination organisation).

Application?

Each applicant must be pre-registered by 6 November 2023, 17:00. For this pre-registration, the following fields in the application form are to be completed by the aforementioned date:

• project title and duration ('General' tab)
• non-confidential summary and detailed scientific and valorisation innovation objectives ('Summary' tab)
• full composition of the project consortium ('Applicants' tab)
• specification of the research topic and experts to be avoided (optional, max. 3) ('Peer Review' tab)
• In addition, consent should be given by accepting the declaration ('Consent' tab)

Pre-registration is required for the application to be valid! This information is needed to allow the FWO staff to prepare the evaluation process as efficiently as possible. The information should be submitted to the main host institution through the e-portal.

Internal deadline for submission full proposal: 13 November 2023, 17:00
Applicants need to submit their research proposal via the E-portal of FWO before the internal deadline. The applications will be automatically transferred to the research coordination office (OBI). OBI has to finalize the submission before the FWO deadline (20 November 2023, 17:00).

This internal deadline is only applicable if UHasselt is the main applicant. When UHasselt is a co-applicant, you have to respect the internal deadline of the university of the main applicant.

More information?

You can find more information about the regulations and documents on the FWO website.

Please always contact research@uhasselt.be if you want to apply.

Deadline

06.11.2023

Contact Hasselt University?

E-mail sarah.szyr@uhasselt.be

Tel. +3211269052