Our mission

Science opens new horizons

The Research Foundation – Flanders (FWO) stimulates and financially supports fundamental scientific research, strategic basic research, clinical scientific research, the purchase of large-scale and medium-scale research infrastructure, and the management of large computing capacity in Flanders. With the financial resources we receive, mainly from the Flemish Government, we subsidise fellowships and research projects, infrastructure, travel grants and international scientific cooperation.

Science creates opportunities

Fundamental scientific research is focused on expanding knowledge about human beings and their environment. As the level of knowledge of our society grows, so does the quality of life in general and the quality of training in particular. Young people are thus given every opportunity to deploy their talents in a broad array of disciplines.

Research financed by FWO, especially strategic basic research, also contributes to the valorisation of scientific breakthrough.

Science is essential for our well-being

In the long term, such a high level of knowledge in combination with the resulting human capital paves the way for targeted and applied research that can also support policy. Decisions in economic or social domains can then also be influenced by the work of excellent research groups. This is not surprising, as ground-breaking research may lie at the heart of solutions to the key challenges facing our society today (environment, mobility, health, etc.).

Science is the driver of innovation

Fundamental research seldom adds  economic or social value in the short term. It is, however, essential for ensuring our welfare and well-being in the long term. That is why the FWO is dependent on government funding. A balanced distribution of resources between targeted and non-targeted research is required.With the financing of strategic research in the broadest sense, the FWO takes an important step to valorisation.

The FWO and the international community

Europe has a tradition of non-governmental research councils. FWO is a member of Science Europe and supports the activities of the European Research Council (ERC) through various initiatives. In addition, FWO is closely involved in various European research initiatives (ERA-NET, JPI, ESFRI etc.) through a range of programmes. Furthermore, FWO has signed a large number of bilateral cooperation agreements with leading funding agencies worldwide, including in China, Russia and Quebec.

FWO support the Flemish Supercomputer Centre (VSC)

The Flemish Supercomputer Centre (VSC) is a virtual centre making supercomputer infrastructure available for both the academic and industrial world. This centre is managed by the Research Foundation - Flanders (FWO) in partnership with the five Flemish university association.