Large-scale research infrastructure
Third call for large-scale research infrastructure (2011 - 2012)
- Opened: 28 February 2011
- Final submission date: 2 September 2011
- Results of the first call for large-scale research infrastructure
- Results of the second call for large-scale research infrastructure
- Call and selection procedure (English) (PDF, 285 KB)
- Application e- form (English) (PDF, 1 MB)
- This information on this page (PDF, 24 KB)
Applications have to be submitted in English.
Budget
For this call for large –scale research infrastructure, the budgets for 2011 en 2012 have been combined. In the initial 2011 budget of the Flemish Government 3.3 million euro is registered. The competent Flemish minister is urged to increase the budget for 2011 or 2012 so that the same amount becomes available as for the first call for large scale research infrastructures, i.e. 10 million euros.
Large-scale research infrastructure
Large-scale research infrastructure (Hercules 3 initiatives) is defined as research infrastructure with a total financing cost of at least EUR 1,500,000 (including the non-refundable portion of VAT). Total financing cost involves all subsidisable costs requested in the proposal.
The ‘artificial upgrading’ of a proposal to a large-scale Hercules 3 application by joining together several instruments that have little or no structural cohesion is to be avoided. An application may propose the purchase of several instruments but these must form a whole and it must be demonstrated that the proposed research programme or programmes cannot be carried out if one of them is not available.
Subsidy applicants
Applications can be made by a research group or research groups at a Flemish university, a Flemish university college, a strategic research centre (IBBT, IMEC, VIB, VITO), an institution for post-initial education (Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp Management School, Vlerick Leuven Ghent Management School), a partnership agreement between the above bodies or a partnership agreement between at least one of the aforementioned bodies and one or more third parties.
The term ‘third party’ carries a broad definition and is not limited to companies and research centres based in Flanders. In the context of the Hercules Regulatory Decree, federal scientific and cultural institutions are viewed as third parties.
Third parties, in the first instance companies, can make use of infrastructure provided they make a financially assessable contribution. In other words, third parties cannot receive subsidies under the Hercules Initiative.
Public entities which depend on or were set up by, or (partially) funded by the Flemish Government, other Belgian authorities, foreign authorities and international or supranational organisations, may act as third parties.
Academic hospitals that have a legal personality may not submit applications, but may act as third parties.
In order to encourage cooperation with Flemish business and industry, the Hercules Foundation gave business federations information on the call and provide the names of contacts in each of the associations.
Application form
In order to qualify for Hercules financing, an organisation must compile a complete dossier. In so doing it must make use of the relevant application e-form available.
Language
The application must be submitted in English. This is due to the fact that most of the applications’ scientific assessors are international experts. However, call forms are available both in English and in Dutch.
Submission
The e-form of the application must be submitted electronically to the Hercules Foundation, Koloniënstraat 56, 1000 Brussels by e-mail at marc.luwel@herculesstichting.be ( max; volume of mail is 7MB).
Applications must be received by 5 pm Friday, 2 September 2011 at the latest. Once an application is submitted electronically, the Hercules Foundation will issue an electronic acknowledgement of receipt. Please contact the Hercules Foundation if you do not receive this acknowledgment within 24 hours of transmission. Later on a letter of acknowledgment will be sent by post.
Applications submitted by post or fax will not be accepted.
Further information
Further information can be obtained from the Hercules Foundation:
- either by e-mail at the following address: caroline.volckaert@herculesstichting.be;
- or by telephone on weekdays between 9 am and 5 pm on ++32(0)22129404, and before or after these hours on +32(0)478887102.
Indicative time schedule for evaluation and decision making
The following indicative time schedule applies to the third call for large-scale research infrastructure:
- issuing of call to submit applications: February 28, 2011;
- end of call: September 2, 2011;
- opportunity to respond to referee reports: December 2011
(in an indicative manner); - hearings are set up in January 2012;
- decision of the Hercules Foundation ‘s Board of Directors: February 23, 2012.