Interuniversity BOF projects (iBOF)

Interuniversity BOF-projects (iBOFAll Flemish universities jointly launch the iBOF-programme for the 3rd time in 2023, which cofunds interuniversity projects. Within the iBOF programme, excellent, pioneering (frontier or blue-sky) research is supported that will be carried out in a consortium of at least 3 promoters at at least 2 Flemish universities. The iBOF call is launched every 2 year.

An iBOF project brings together top researchers (whether or not in combination with promising researchers with great potential) who, through such an interuniversity project, will (further) promote Flanders at an international level by deepening or broadening scientific knowledge and increasing capacity building in a sustainable partnership.

The applying consortium must submit a concerted research proposal with a duration of 4 years, in which each promoter provides essential expertise for the realization of the proposal. At the same time, the promoters must be complementary to each other and/or mutually reinforcing as they need each other to be able to carry out the project in synergy. Proposals from all domains are possible, both mono- and interdisciplinary project proposals.

Duration

  • 4 years
  • duration of project: 1 January 2025 - 31 December 2028

Budget

The total amount that can be requested per promoter varies between 450.000 and 900.000 euro, with a maximum of 3.375.000 euro per consortium.
The requested budget has to be realistic and in accordance with the intended work packages.

Who can apply for an iBOF project?

In general: minimum 3 promoters of at least 2 Flemish universities.

  • At least one of the promoters is a top researcher with an excellent track record (see description ‘excellence’ in the call). The involvement of promising researchers with a great potential is also highly recommended;
  • One of the promoters acts as coordinator-spokesperson of the consortium. The coordinator-spokesperson is primarily responsible for the good collaboration of the consortium and is the single point of contact;
  • Applications should be submitted by the coordinator-spokesperson at the Research Coordination Office of his/her University;
  • Per promoter, one or more co-promoters who are affiliated within the same university as the promoter with whom they join, can participate.
  • An applicant can only be involved in one iBOF application.
  • Additional restrictions on who can act as promoter or co-promoter of the application and retirement regulations can be found in the iBOF call (see call document).

NOTE: Neither for the applying promoters nor for the applying co-promoters of the iBOF call, there are incompatibilities with current BOF and/or IOF projects.  Sole exception to this: Promoters and co-promoters of an iBOF project that has started on January 1, 2023, cannot participate in this iBOF call 2025. Promoters and co-promoters of an iBOF project that started on January 1, 2021 and who have acquired an iBOF project in the context of the iBOF call 2021, can participate in the iBOF call 2025.

How to apply?

The selection wil take place in 2 phases:

  • A Declaration of Intent must be sent before the given deadline to   (if a Ghent University promoter is the coordinator-spokesperson of the application)
  • Consortia who are, after the preselection,  selected to hand in a full proposal, will be invited in due time and will have to submit their "elaborated application" at the latest on 31 May 2024 (template will be sent by e-mail).

Deadline

  • 26 October 2023 (at the latest on 17.00): deadline to submit the declaration of intent
  • 31 May 2024 (at the latest on 17.00): deadline to submit the full proposal

Contact

Research Department
Research Co-ordination Office - Special Research Fund

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Call and application forms