Flanders Innovation & Entrepreneurship (VLAIO) is the main grant provider for companies in Flanders. subsidies.expert supports you with your VLAIO application: from choosing the right instrument to the final report.
The right instrument depends on your project, your company and the timing. We help you choose.
For developing an innovative product, process or service with short-term impact. For SMEs and large companies; rolling submission.
Details »For knowledge building that lays the foundation for longer-term innovation. Higher rates for SMEs and collaboration; rolling submission.
Details »For innovative small companies under two years old that want to work out a proof of concept or proof of business. Registration via one VLAIO partner.
Details »For innovative companies aged 1 to 5 years preparing to scale up. 2027 edition: pre-registration in January, submission until 23 April 2027.
Details »Support for training and advice for SMEs: 30% for small and 20% for medium-sized companies. Since 1 February 2026, advice is limited to cybersecurity.
Details »For investments (min. €1 million) and/or training (min. €100,000) within a strategic, innovative transformation programme. Apply before the start.
Details »Ecologiepremie+ for technologies on the official technology list; strategic ecology support (STRES) for large green investments from €1.5 million.
Details »For innovation in the security and defence sector, both military and dual-use. Civilian companies with clear defence relevance are also eligible.
Details »VLAIO also funds the Flemish share of international calls such as Eurostars, Eureka, CETPartnership and Driving Urban Transitions.
See calls »The two most used VLAIO innovation instruments, side by side.
| Development project | Research project | |
|---|---|---|
| Goal | A new or substantially improved product, process or service with short-term impact | Knowledge building that leads to innovation in the longer term |
| Base rate | 25% | 50% for research and 25% for development activities |
| Uplifts | +10% medium-sized company · +20% small company · +10% collaboration (min. 2 independent companies, incl. 1 SME) · +15% interregional or international collaboration | |
| Maximum | 50% (60% for interregional or international collaboration) | 60% (70% for interregional or international collaboration) |
| Grant amount | €25,000 to €3 million | €100,000 to €3 million |
| Submission | Permanently open | Permanently open |
Source: vlaio.be, consulted on 8 October 2026. Rates and conditions may change; the official VLAIO regulations prevail.
From first idea to payment: you choose whether we take on the full process or part of it.
We test your project against the VLAIO criteria and pick the instrument with the best chances and the highest rate.
We co-write the proposal: innovation, approach, risks, valorisation and a sound budget.
We submit online and prepare you for the meeting with the VLAIO project adviser.
After approval we support interim reporting, the final report and the financial settlement.
The base rate is 25%. Medium-sized companies get an extra 10%, small companies an extra 20%, and collaboration between at least two independent companies (at least one of them an SME) adds another 10%. The total is capped at 50%, or 60% for interregional or international collaboration. The grant is at least €25,000 and at most €3 million.
A development project targets a concrete new or substantially improved product, process or service with short-term impact. A research project builds knowledge that only leads to innovation in the longer term. Research projects get a higher rate (up to 60%, or 70% for interregional or international collaboration) but require a minimum grant of €100,000.
Yes. Development and research projects are open to SMEs and large companies alike, although small and medium-sized companies receive a higher rate. Some instruments, such as the SME wallet (KMO-portefeuille), are for SMEs only.
Development and research projects are permanently open: you can submit all year round. Other instruments, such as Schaalklaar, the Ecologiepremie+ and international collaboration calls, work with calls and deadlines. You will find them in our grant overview.
The statutory time limit is 18 weeks; VLAIO aims for a shorter processing time. After submission there is a meeting with a VLAIO project adviser, in which you defend the added value of your project and business case.
A strong application needs a convincing innovation story, a well-founded budget and a clear valorisation plan. We know the criteria and the procedure, co-write the application, prepare the meeting with VLAIO and handle reporting, so you can focus on your project.
Always-current overview of open calls, automatically screened and editorially approved.
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Official page »Book a no-obligation call. Together we'll look at which VLAIO instrument fits your project.