FWO - BE READY: 1st co-funded call for research projects 2026

Research

What?

The European Partnership on Pandemic Preparedness (BE READY) nitiates a wide range of activities, of which calls for research projects form an integral part. FWO commits itself as a research funding organisation in this first call, with a focus on funding Flemish universities and public research institutions and their researchers.
The partnership aims to establish a European research and innovation ecosystem that is optimally prepared for future health crises caused by infectious diseases. This ecosystem will be capable of responding rapidly and efficiently to such crises and will be embedded within a broader European framework for health threats.

This first transnational call focuses on strengthening scientific understanding and evidence-based knowledge on emerging and re-emerging pathogens with pandemic potential, as well as on host responses to such infections. The ultimate objective is to enhance the capacity to anticipate, prevent and respond to infectious health threats through a multinational, collaborative and interdisciplinary approach that connects research and development.

The call primarily addresses Priority 1 of the Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda (SRIA) – ‘Accelerating knowledge in a coordinated and integrative manner’ – with a focus on:

• Action 1.1: increasing knowledge on understanding, identifying and addressing therapeutic targets on pathogens;
• Action 1.2: increasing knowledge on pathophysiology.

Funding will come via FWO through the fundamental (FO) or Strategic Basic Research (SBO) channel. The type and scope of the proposed research project will determine the choice of funding channel for the research performed within Flanders (more fundamental in nature, or more aimed at economical/societal valorisation). Non-compliance with the specific requirements per funding channel might lead to non-eligibility.

The FWO can support 2 projects for a 36 months duration, with an available maximum applicable budget of 350.000 EUR (overhead included) per project/consortium.
  

Who?

A consortium must consist of at least three (3) eligible partners from at least three (3) different participating countries, with at least two (2) partners from EU Member States or Associated Countries.

Universities and Universities of applied sciences, research institutes, non-profit legal entities, small and medium sized enterprises and large enterprises and public bodies, subject to the national/regional funding regulations and eligibility criteria.

Application?

The FWO requires pre-registration on a national/regional level as well by filling in an application form on the FWO e-portal before the deadline for submission of the pre-proposals (13 April, 2026 (13:00, CET). When you're logged on to the e-portal, you can find it under "Researcher".
It is strongly recommended to contact the FWO administration about your pre-registration at the latest one week before submission in order to verify admissibility.

For the fundamental funding channel the respective regulation applies. For the SBO channel the SBO regulation has to be taken into account: these imply projects with a primarily economic and/or societal finality, of which ‘valorisation’ is a key - and mandatory - aspect.

Given the pre-proposal already has to be OK in terms of budget, OBI has an internal deadline to check your proposal.
Internal deadline: 6 April 2026

In case the consortium includes more than one partner requesting funding from FWO, a single online form should be submitted containing all relevant information from the different Flemish partners.

End of June 2026: Communication of results and invitation for full proposal
20 August 2026: Submission deadline for full proposals
Mid November 2026: Communication of the funding decisions to the applicants
Q1/Q2 2027: Start of the projects

More information?

You can find more information, like the call text, the Guidelines for Applicants, the submission platform and the proposal application form on the BE READY website.

Concerning the FWO regulations, you can consult the FWO website:
for the fundamental funding channel
for the SBO channel

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

Deadline intern

06.04.2026, 13.04.2026

Contact Hasselt University?

E-mail sarah.szyr@uhasselt.be

Tel. +3211269052