The FRFS and the WEL Research Institute opened the second “WEL-T Investigator Programme” call, funded by the Walloon region, for strategic research of excellence in engineering, chemistry and physics with a view to developing breakthrough innovations for industrial applications aimed at sustainable transition. This programme is open to researchers from the universities of the Wallonia-Brussels Federation who are either established (Advanced grants, max. €350,000/year) or at the beginning of their career (Starting grants, max. €200,000/year).
Context of the call:
The WEL-T (Walloon ExceLlence in Technology) funding instrument corresponds to a strategic axis of the FRFS and a department of the WEL Research Institute. Through this instrument, Wallonia grants significant resources over several years to WEL-T Investigators within the WEL Research Institute to develop ambitious research programs that will lead to major scientific breakthroughs. These programmes represent a pillar of the Investigators' laboratory and are flexible so the research scope can be adapted over time as needed. The Investigators within the WEL Research Institute must demonstrate a combination of scientific excellence, an awareness of unmet needs in sustainable transition in their field, and a willingness to seek opportunities to translate their results into social and economic impact.
Timetable:
- Opening of the call : 17 September 2024
- Deadline for PI’s electronic validation : 7 November 2024
- Evaluation process : December 2024 – April 2025
- Communication of the funding decision : End of June 2025
- Start of the programmes : 1st of October 2025