Medium-scale research infrastructure
Medium-scale research infrastructure
Medium-scale research infrastructure is defined as research infrastructure with a total financing cost of at least EUR 150,000 and at most EUR 1,500,000 (including VAT).
Medium-scale research infrastructure is divided into Hercules 1 initiatives (initiatives between EUR 150,000 and EUR 600,000) and Hercules 2 initiatives (initiatives between EUR 600,000 and EUR 1,500,000).
Budget
Of the resources for research infrastructure set aside by the Flemish Government, 2/3 are earmarked to fund Medium-scale equipment (Hercules 1 initiatives and Hercules 2 initiatives) and 1/3 to fund Large-scale equipment (Hercules 3 initiatives).
For this third call for Medium-scale research infrastructure, the budgets for 2011 and 2012 have been combined. In the initial 2011 budget of the Flemish Government, an amount of 6.7 million euros has been registered. The competent Flemish minister is urged to increase the budget of 2011 or 2012 so that the same amount as the first call for Medium-scale research infrastructure becomes available, i.e. 20 million euros.
Subsidy applicants
The call for Medium-scale research infrastructure is only open to Flemish university and university college research groups. Applications for Hercules 1 and Hercules 2 categories are made within each association.
Each association has drawing rights on the total available sum. Its share is determined by a formula based, among other things, on its past performance in research and valorisation (e.g. its share in Flanders’ publication output, the number of spin offs and patents).
The funds are allocated after consultation with the associations. The aim is to achieve forms of mutual cooperation and/or cooperation with third parties.
The term third party carries a broad definition and can be for example a Flemish strategic research centre (IBBT, IMEC, VIB, VITO), an institution for post-initial education (Institute of Tropical Medicine, Vlerick Leuven Ghent Management School, Antwerp Business School), (all authorities besides Flemish university and university college research groups).
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.
Third parties can make use of infrastructure provided they make a financially assessable contribution. In other words, third parties cannot receive subsidies under the Hercules Initiative.
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 give 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 within each association.
Language
The application must be submitted in English. This is due to the fact that most of the applications’ scientific assessors are international experts.
Submission
Under the call for Medium-scale research infrastructure the e-form application, must be submitted by e-mail to the Hercules Commission of each association.
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 (call 2011-2012)
The following indicative time schedule applies to the third call for Medium-scale research infrastructure:
- issuing of call to submit applications: February 28, 2011;
- submitting final version to the associations: September 9, 2011;
- consultations between associations: September 5, 2011 – September 21, 2011;
- submitting indicative list to the Hercules Foundation: January 20, 2012;
- recommendation of the assessment panel to the Hercules Foundation‘s Board of Directors: February 16, 2012;
- final decision of the Hercules Foundation’s Board of Directors: February 23, 2012.