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Innovation and R&D

The main instruments and measures to promote innovation and R&D in the Brussels-Capital Region
The Brussels-Capital Region does its utmost to promote businesses with strong potential in terms of technological development as well as university and higher education through support and awareness programmes.

The main bodies responsible for R&D policies are listed below.

At federal level

The Belgian Federal Science Policy Office prepares and implements various research and science policy activities resorting under the competence of the federal government, including:

  • Research networks and programmes
  • Belgium’s participation in international and European scientific organisations (European Space Agency, European Southern Observatory, European Synchrotron Radiation Facility and so on)
  • Supervision of the ten federal science institutions

www.research.be, which has been developed by the Scientific and Technical Information Service (STIS), is a gateway to the main websites in the field of research, development and innovation (RDI) activities in Belgium and in European and international partnerships. There are links to federal websites as well as the main European, regional and communal sites.

At regional level

The Economy and Employment Contract (C2E, 2005) and the Regional Innovation Plan (2006) are mainstays of the Brussels-Capital Region’s research and technological innovation policy.

  • Research in Brussels (RIB) is the body that promotes scientific research and technological innovation in the Region. For more information about Research in Brussels, see the dedicated page elsewhere on this website.

    Rue Engeland, 555, 1180 Brussels
    Phone: +32 (0)2 600 50 00
    Fax: +32 (0)2 600 50 45
    Online: www.rib.irisnet.be

  • The remit of Innoviris, the Brussels R&D institute (formerly IRSIB) is to implement the Brussels-Capital region’s research and development policy. The institute changed its name from IRSIB to INNOVIRIS in May 2010. For more information on the responsibilities and activities of Innoviris, see the dedicated page elsewhere on this website.

    c/o IRSIB
    Domaine Latour de Freins
    Rue Engeland, 555, 1180 Brussels
    Phone: +32 (0)2 600 50 34
    Fax: +32 (0)2 600 50 47
    Online: www.innoviris.irisnet.be (FR/NL)

  • The Brussels Enterprise Agency (BEA) encourages business to improve their competitiveness through innovation and globalisation, and provides intensive support for projects and businesses that show promise or are critically important to the Brussels-Capital Region, especially in the following sectors:

    • Information & Communication Technologies (ICT)
    • Green Technologies
    • Life Technologies
    • Sustainable Construction
    (see the section 'Our priority areas' of the website of the BEA).

    Tour & Taxis
    Avenue du Port, 86C bte 211, 1000 Brussels
    Phone: +32 (0)2 422.00.20
    Online: www.abe-bao.be

  • Three sectors in particular have proven their worth in terms of exports: information and communication technology (ICT), health – including biotechnology and medical equipment – and the environment.
    (Source: Office of the Minister of the Economy and Employment of the Brussels-Capital Region)
  • The budget for R&D in the Brussels-Capital Region has grown constantly over recent years, from 22 million euros in 2002 to 28 million euros in 2008.
    • (Source: Statistiques et Indicateurs d'activités, Politique scientifique fédérale)

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