Wallonia is strengthening support for research and innovation, with a new framework aimed at helping research organisations, innovative companies and hospitals turn research into real-world innovation.
Following the adoption this summer of the Research-Innovation-Economy Strategy 2027–2034, the Walloon Government is taking a further step. On the proposal of Research Minister Pierre-Yves Jeholet, it has adopted, at second reading, a new framework decree for research that thoroughly modernises regional support for research, development and innovation.
The reform is part of Wallonia’s wider effort to modernise its innovation policy. The aim is to focus public funding more effectively on the region’s strengths and increase its impact on the economy and jobs.
With nearly €250 million invested annually in research and innovation, Wallonia is choosing a policy more focused on results and on turning knowledge into economic value.
Five concrete changes
The new decree provides for a simpler, more flexible and more selective support system, focused on projects with the greatest potential for economic impact:
- More flexible procedures, with continuous review of applications to reduce delays;
- “Project portfolios” allowing several experiments or developments related to the same innovation to be grouped into a single application;
- Greater consideration of market potential and the prospects for economic impact of projects;
- Earlier support for innovative start-ups;
- Enhanced evaluation mechanisms through objective criteria, appropriate performance indicators and independent expert committees.
Wallonia invests nearly €250 million annually in research. Our responsibility is to ensure that this collective effort generates maximum benefits for our economy, our businesses and employment. This reform is not about funding less research, but about making better use of the results achieved. We want a Wallonia that more quickly transforms its discoveries, technologies and talent into economic activity. Every euro invested must contribute to generating more innovation, more investment and more jobs in our region. This decree should enable us to further transform research into economic activity and jobs in Wallonia.
Pierre-Yves Jeholet, Minister of Research
The legislation also supports a wide range of stakeholders, including businesses, research and knowledge dissemination organisations, and science and technology outreach initiatives. Targeted access for certain research-active hospitals is another new feature of the programme.
