What's a Research Program?
SIM research programs consist of coordinated basic and applied research projects in which universities and companies cooperate and develop new basic knowledge as well as the capacities to translate this knowledge into practical applications. Research programs and their projects are the most important type of research instrument within SIM.
Programs must fit within the scope of the SIM Research Themes. For each of the SIM research themes, the science and technology challenges in Flanders have been defined, together with the competences needed in Flanders. When a Program Call is opened, it refers to a research theme.
SIM makes a distinction between “vertical” and “horizontal” programs:
| type | vertical | horizontal |
|---|---|---|
| driver | demand driven, with specific targets, linked to an industrial roadmap in Flanders | basic knowledge needed int he vertical programs, but too generic to take up in one specific vertical program |
| lead by | industry | SIM |
| research themes |
Materials for energy and light / Durable and sustainable structural materials / Recyclable materials |
Predictive modeling and advanced material characterization / tailored nanomaterials in their environment |
| industrial validation | directly linked to the outcome of the projects in the program; closer to market than horizontal programs | industrial validation indirect via the linked vertical programs and their projects |
| acronyms of existing programs | SHE / NANOFORCE / SOPPOM / STREAM / M3 / MaDurOS / MARES | HINTS / TRAP |
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