In 2020, Belgian companies will have invested more than 18 billion euros in Research and Development. By 2023, Belgium ranks first among European Union member states with the most investments in this area of R&D. Flanders also places itself as a frontrunner and released a report with further insights into the current R&D landscape.
The Flemish department of Economy, Science and Innovation (ESI) has released a report on the current STI-landscape (Science, Technology and Innovation). It gives an overview of the policy applied to nurture and stimulate research and innovation in both the country and the region. The Flemish government takes this ambition to grow towards a more digital, sustainable and circular economy.
The report shows that Belgium invested 3.5% of its gross domestic product (GDP) in research and development by 2020. Of all the regions, Flanders has invested the most with 3.6% of GDP (and €9.59 million).
The Flemish department of Economy, Science and Innovation (ESI) has released a report on the current STI-landscape (Science, Technology and Innovation) in Flanders. It gives an overview of the policy applied to nurture and stimulate research and innovation in the region. The Flemish government takes this ambition to grow towards a more digital, sustainable and circular economy.
The EWI Department is responsible for preparing, monitoring, evaluating and reporting on public policy in the field of enterprise, science and innovation. This report offers a helicopter view of the Flemish innovation ecosystem in an international comparative context.
Four agencies are tasked with the implementation of the STI policy:
Out of a total budget of 51.6 billion euro, the Flemish government allocates 3.987 billion euro towards scientific research and innovation. These investments result in three main STI-activities and policy instruments:
Direct partners here are also government actors, knowledge institutions, strategic research centres and scientific institutes concerning the implementation.
Once again in 2023, the STI department reaffirms that, with an expenditure of 3.65% of GDP, Flanders remains the absolute European leader in terms of investment in Research & Development. So reports ECOOM, the R&D Monitoring Expertise Centre.
Attracting more people towards STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) careers starts early in Flanders. The STEM Action Plan 2020-2030 aims to encourage young people to seriously consider a career with a range of initiatives, including rolling out specific academies to teach young people coding and other computing skills.
FI Group consultants also apply themselves to have a STEM-background, making sure to have the knowledge and expertise to aid, guide and advise you in your R&D&I-journey.
R&D investments are crucial to tackle grand societal challenges such as the energy and climate transition or an ageing population. The Flemish Government has stated its ambition to reach a 3% R&D-intensity (measured as the percentage of R&D-expenses related to income). Considering the numbers from the previous years, Flanders has had a positive track-record concerning this goal:
Added, with Flanders’budget of 9.588 million euro spent on R&D:
And considering business research and innovation activities are essential for maintaining Flanders’ competitive advantage.
Business R&D expenditure in 2019 amounted to 6.882 billion euro, of which 34% was invested in the chemical and pharmaceutical sector.
Investments in R&D are key to ensuring a high level of productivity and maintain competitiveness from a global perspective. Which is why the Flemish government invests in international collaborations.
The report shows that an effort has been made to internationalize STI policy, with a particular focus on the EU level. This includes aligning its priorities with those of the EU regarding the grand challenges, the European Research Area, the Europe 2020 strategy and Horizon 2020.
FI Group has 20 years of experience and wants to support you in understanding and intercepting the available R&D+I opportunities. Our experts are at your disposal to analyse your project and to take the next steps together with you.
