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Current Big Science projects

With this programme, the Research Foundation-Flanders (FWO) supports projects at large international research facilities, of which the membership fee is paid by the Belgian Federal or Flemish Government.  This allows Flemish researchers to carry out groundbreaking basic research at large international infrastructures that surpass the national level and can only be realised through international collaboration.

These facilities have a very international user community and are a unique meeting point for researchers, which often leads to international collaboration and which contributes to the training of young scientists.  Access to state-of-the-art scientific infrastructure not only catalyses research activities in Flanders, it has also an important impact on business activities.

 

For the call 2012 6 new Big Science projects were granted (2013-2017):

  • CERN-CMS (Genève, Switserland)
    promotor: Prof. Dr. Jorgen D’Hondt, Vrije Universiteit Brussel
  • CERN HIE -ISOLDE (Genève, Switserland)
    promotor: Prof. Mark Huyse, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven
  • ESRF-DUBBLE (Grenoble, France)
    promotor: Prof. Dr. Bart Goderis, KU Leuven
  • De Mercator Telescoop (La Palma, Spain)
    promotor: Prof. Hans Van Winckel, KU Leuven
  • IceCube (South Pole)
    promotor: Prof. Catherine De Clercq, Vrije Universiteit Brussel
  • Spiral 2 (Caen, France)
    promotor: Prof. Piet Van Duppen,  KU Leuven

With this programme, the Research Foundation-Flanders (FWO) supports projects at large international research facilities, of which the membership fee is paid by the Belgian Federal or Flemish Government.  This allows Flemish researchers to carry out groundbreaking basic research at large international infrastructures that surpass the national level and can only be realised through international collaboration.

These facilities have a very international user community and are a unique meeting point for researchers, which often leads to international collaboration and which contributes to the training of young scientists.  Access to state-of-the-art scientific infrastructure not only catalyses research activities in Flanders, it has also an important impact on business activities.

In 2008, four Big Science projects were granted (2008-2012):

  • CERN-CMS (Cessy, France)
    promotor: Prof. Eddi De Wolf
  • CERN-ISOLDE (Geneva, Switzerland)
    promotor: Prof. Mark Huyse
  • ESRF-DUBBLE (Grenoble, France)
    promotor: Prof.  Lode Wyns
  • Mercator Telescope (La Palma, Spain)
    promotor: Prof. Christoffel Waelkens

Since 2006, the FWO finances Flemish research projects at large international facilities on an ad hoc basis.  In 2008, Big Science funding became a distinct programme of the FWO, thanks to additional funding of the Flemish Government, and allocation of the budget is now realised through an open call for proposals.

Applicants have to submit a detailed project proposal which is evaluated by a specific Big Science committee, consisting of international experts. The Big Science programme gives logistic, operational and institutional support to research projects carried out at large international facilities, which are financed by the Belgian Federal or Flemish Government. Funding to Big Science projects is awarded for a period of five year.

The Belgian or Flemish contribution and the Big Science programme enable the running of research projects at large international facilities. Many projects also receive additional support via regular FWO grants.