There is an important demand for clinical trials to fill existing evidence gaps and to advance healthcare. In addition to EU funded or co-funded initiatives, the possibilities for obtaining funding for clinical trials in Belgium have expanded over the past years. Trials can broadly be grouped into comparative effectiveness trials of existing interventions and trials to develop a new intervention. Investigators should be familiar with the possible funding programmes and the type of trials funded under each programme.
Comparative effectiveness trials
- For comparative effectiveness trials possible funding sources are the KCE Trials programme and international collaborations of KCE Trials such as the BeNeFIT call with ZonMw in The Netherlands.
- In addition, the TBM programme of FWO in Flanders has expanded its scope and funds also comparative effectiveness trials: www.fwo.be/en/fellowships-funding/research-projects/tbm-projects
Development trials
- Most development trials are out of scope of the KCE Trials programme with the exception of repurposing trials using off-patent drugs in a new indication that has passed the proof of concept stage.
- FWO offers in the Flanders region funding for development trials of interventions without interest from industry under the TBM programme. In addition, FWO co-funds development trials performed in collaboration with industry: https://www.fwo.be/en/fellowships-funding/research-projects/tbm-projects
- In addition, FWO funds academic proof-of-concept trials that are embedded in a basic research project and have the potential to improve the economic competitiveness of or create societal value in Flanders within the SBO programme: https://www.fwo.be/en/fellowships-funding/research-projects/sbo-projects
- VLAIO in Flanders offers co-funding for company R&D programmes. https://www.vlaio.be/nl/subsidies-financiering
- Innoviris in the Brussels region offers co-funding for trials (Phase 1) that are included in a research and development project. https://innoviris.brussels/get-funded
- Biowin in the Wallonia region co-funds methodological initiatives of relevance for clinical trials and clinical development but so far has no specific call for clinical trials: https://www.biowin.org/en
- SPW – DGO 6 Recherche in Wallonia offers co-funding to private companies (as repayable advance) for trials included in a research and development project. Applications can be introduced througout the year https://recherche.wallonie.be/home/je-dois-savoir/avant-de-recevoir-un-financement/question-de-vocabulaire.html