Blue Cluster & VLAIO: 2nd Blue Bastion-call

Research

What?

The 2nd Blue Bastion-call of the Blue Cluster has been opened. 

The Blue Bastion calls provide a framework for collaborative innovation aimed at protecting critical maritime infrastructure. The programme is a joint initiative of the Royal Higher Institute for Defence (RHID) and Blue Cluster and includes several funding instruments, including research, demonstration and operational innovation projects, each with its own approach and timeline.

All projects must align with the Maritime Security Strategic Roadmap, which defines the thematic focus areas, capability priorities and development pathways for the ecosystem. Together, the different instruments form a coherent portfolio that supports innovation from applied research through to near-operational deployment, while ensuring continuity and long-term impact across the maritime security ecosystem.

 

Who?

At the time of submission of a project, a partnership should meet the following conditions:

• the consortium consists of at least 3 companies with a presence in Flanders;
• each business partner is a member of Blue Cluster;
• each research partner is an associated member or partner of Blue Cluster.

Upon submission of a 10-pager, all partners engage into a commitment to carry out the project and enter into a membership (or partnership) relationship with Blue Cluster (throughout the duration of the project).

Projects receive intensive guidance and are monitored closely by Blue Cluster. Within this scope, each partner must pay a fee of € 5.460 per project (€ 1.220 upon approval of the 10-pager by the steering committee and € 4.240 upon approval by VLAIO, excl. VAT; rate of 2025). For feasibility studies, a fee of € 1.220 needs to be paid. 

Depending on the type of membership, the guidance fee for one or several projects is already included in the membership fee. At partner level, the guidance fee is capped at a maximum of 10% of the subsidy provided to the project partner in question.

Application?

All project proposals for R&D projects, ICON (Interdisciplinary Cooperative Research) projects as well as feasibility studies must be submitted as a 10-pager to Blue Cluster before the deadline. After the steering group approves, the 10-pager can be further developed into a full proposal to be submitted to Flanders Innovation & Entrepreneurship (VLAIO). 
The 22nd project call for ICON and R&D projects is open from 17 August 2026 to 1 October 2026 (noon).

 

More information?

More information about the call can be found here.

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

Deadline

01.10.2026

Contact Hasselt University?

E-mail sarah.szyr@uhasselt.be

Tel. +3211269052