Funding and conditions

• Purchase of basic infrastructure with a maximum value of € 250.000 (including VAT), of which up to € 150 000 can be funded through the Special Research Fund. The purchase of infrastructure exceeding € 250.000 is not permitted.

1.  Basic infrastructure exceeding € 150.000 (with a maximum of € 250.000 (including VAT)): demonstration of co-funding is obliged. The co-finding has to be available at the moment of applying for the call Basic Infrastructure Projects.

2.  Basic infrastructure with a cost up to € 150.000: co-funding is optional.

• The purchase of multiple instruments can only be requested (with a maximum value of € 250.000 including VAT in total) if these instruments form a single entity and it can be demonstrated that it is not possible to carry out the proposed research programs if one of the instruments is not available. The purchase of multiple devices cannot be requested if the devices can function independently of each other.
• Maintenance and usage costs cannot be included in the total cost price.
• This call is also open for the acquisition and operationalization of large data sets, e.g., commercialized databases, data collection via survey research or panel studies. Operationalization also includes supplementing existing databases with new data. In the context of databases, personnel costs can also be requested (for database management, data collection, etc.).
• This call will be opened three times during the period 2025-2028, each time for a budget of € 3.300.000.

Startdate

• start funding: 1 December 2025
• Budget spending is possible for 24 months.

Specifications

• The call focuses on basic research infrastructure with a maximum value of € 250.000 (VAT incl.).
• Proposals aimed at the acquisition of basic infrastructure must be seen in the context of the importance of the research activities of the research group. This should be evident from the research activities that the research group has conducted in recent past.
• The necessity and relevance of the requested basic research infrastructure within the context and strategy of the research group at Ghent University will be considered whilst assessing the application. This includes the following conditions:

1. The basic character and necessity of the requested research infrastructure: is the infrastructure essential for the research activities of the research group?
2. The added value of the basic research infrastructure for Ghent University: efficiency, wide availability of the infrastructure for other researchers, etc.
3. The use of the basic research infrastructure: the purchased infrastructure has to be used mainly for research purposes and, to a lesser extent, in the context of teaching assignments.

• At least one price offer must be included. When applicable please also include parallel applications. Applicants are encouraged to add several price quotes if possible. If several competitive price quotes are added to the request and/or if an (academic) discount has already been negotiated, this may be taken into account in the final budget allocation. For applications without negotiated price quotes (discounts), the Research Council may decide to reduce the budget allocation factoring in possible future reductions.
• Indicate the cost (always including VAT - if the quote does not mention VAT, then the Belgian VAT of 21% must be calculated and added) of the requested basic infrastructure with possible breakdown into modules.
• Applicants must indicate whether it concerns the replacement of existing basic infrastructure with basic infrastructure of the same type (or a more current version), the expansion of existing basic infrastructure or the procurement of new basic infrastructure (e.g. introduction of new technology).

Who can apply?

The proposals must be submitted by a promoter associated with Ghent University. It is possible to add one or more co-promoters (not obliged).

Attention: one can participate in a maximum of two applications as a promotor and/or co-promotor.

Promoter (only one allowed)

• The proposals must be submitted by a promoter who is, at the moment of the deadline of this call, associated with Ghent University either as

1. a member of the tenured academic staff (Zelfstandig Academisch Personeel - ZAP),

2. visiting professor with (at least) a research assignment,

3. a senior assistant, senior lector, assistant professor, associate professor, full professor or senior full professor within the integration framework at Ghent University who holds a PhD degree.

• This promoter acts as the sole authorized person for the granted research budget (Grants Code) and as spokesperson. The promoter carries the responsibility for the proper implementation of and reporting on the project.
• The promoter is asked to have a completed personal profile in GISMO, according to the conditions for delivery to the FRIS portal. Completeness means an ORCID linked to Ghent University and at least one research discipline code of level 4.

Co-promoter (not mandatory, unlimited)

• Co-promoters have no access to the budget (Grantcode) for this BOF funding.
• At the moment of the deadline, each co-promoter must:

1. have an appointment at Ghent University (including “FWO postdoctorale onderzoekers” en “IWT onderzoeksmandaten”), the University Hospital, VIB Ghent, IMEC Ghent, IMinds Ghent and/or Vlerick Leuven Gent Management School or at one of the University Colleges (“hogescholen”) from the Ghent University Association and

2. have a PhD degree.

• Co-promoters are asked to have a completed personal profile in GISMO, according to the conditions for delivery to the FRIS portal. Completeness means an ORCID linked to Ghent University and at least one research discipline code of level 4.

Basic Research Infrastructure for ZAP-members with GUGC affiliation

• It is possible for ZAP members with a GUGC affiliation to purchase research infrastructure using BOF funding obtained through the call Basic Infrastructure Projects, and to place and utilize this infrastructure at GUGC.
• Belgian public procurement legislation must always be followed.
• When transporting the infrastructure to South Korea, additional costs will be incurred, which may vary depending on the type of research infrastructure, as stipulated in the free trade agreement between the EU and South Korea. If the supplier arranges the transport, the costs associated with the export of the infrastructure may be included in the supplier's invoice. If it is not possible for the supplier to arrange transportation to South Korea, a specialized firm must be engaged to handle the export procedure. In this case, the invoice can also be charged to the BOF budget for the purchase of basic infrastructure.
• Researchers are advised not to attempt to manage the export procedure themselves.
• The ownership of the purchased basic infrastructure initially lies with Ghent University but can be transferred to GUGC. Depending on the timing of the transfer, either Ghent University or GUGC will be responsible for the accounting depreciation of this fixed asset.

How to apply?

• Applications must be submitted via the application module in GISMO: https://gismo.ugent.be.
• Choose the module "project" - "create new application" - "BOF - BAS - Call 2025 (Basic Research Infrastructure)"
• ZAP members with GUGC affiliation can only apply with their Ghent University account.
• Applications can be submitted either in Dutch or English.
• Please read the call document available at the bottom of this webpage carefully and use this as a guidance before starting your application.

Deadline

• Deadline: 3 June 2025, 17:00 (Belgian time)

Results

• Results online: 19 November 2025

Contact

University Service Research 

Team Special Research Fund (BOF)

E BOF@UGent.be

Call and application information

• Announcement and application information

Scientific report

Two years after the new equipment came into operation, the promoter must submit a scientific report on the use of the new equipment for research purposes. The scientific report must be sent electronically to BOFapplication@ugent.be.