Innovation Mandates (Innovatiemandaten)

Innovatiemandaten (Innovation Mandates) is VLAIO's postdoctoral bridge programme for basic research that still needs translation into a company context. It supports work carried out by a postdoc employed either by the company or by a knowledge institution, with the results expected to be built and valorised in Flanders. The mandate normally lasts 1 to 3 years and can cover up to 80% of personnel and operating costs, with non-personnel costs capped at €50,000 per full-time year. For a spin-off track, the knowledge institution applies and phase 1 is fully funded; for an existing company, phase 1 can run for up to 12 months at 100%, and phase 2 is then funded at 50% base support with bonuses for company size or cooperation. VLAIO takes decisions in two batches each year, after year-round submission. The route suits projects where the risk is still too high for a normal R&D project, but the scientific path is strong enough to justify a dedicated bridge role. VLAIO requires at least four parties in the setup, including the company, the mandataris, the scientific promotor, and VLAIO itself, and it excludes companies in difficulty. Strong applications show a direct line from postdoctoral research to usable economic value.

Each grant below is a distinct funding opportunity with its own eligibility, scope, and deliverables.