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Grand Challenges

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VIB Grand Challenges Program

The objective of the VIB Grand Challenges Program is to significantly increase the societal impact of VIB's research, hence taking its scientific leadership to the next level of global visibility, while keeping to its formula of success of a bottom-up, excellence-driven institute.

This program aims to structurally support translational and/or disruptive research programs around a specific ‘grand challenge’, an unmet need in society. The projects have concrete objectives as proposed by VIB PIs, with as mandatory features:

  • Trans-disciplinary by definition
  • Impact in science and society on a global scale​
  • Beyond VIB borders by default​
  • Multi-PI collaboration by necessity​

Together, the project teams will build the foundations that will enable them to quickly implement their discoveries for the benefit of patients, customers, other stakeholders and society at large. In the initial phase, the researchers will also develop plans to ensure that the projects will translate into long-term implementation strategies with continued involvement of various stakeholders from the start.

These challenges fit within 4 of the sustainable development goals of the United Nations, more specifically Zero Hunger, Good Health and Well-Being, Climate Action and Partnerships.

 

More information

Please check out any of the sections below to find out more about the VIB Grand Challenges Program.

Selected projects

Selected projects

In the first four calls, 11 different projects were selected for funding. A dedicated COVID-19 call was launched during the COVID-19 crisis, which resulted in co-funding of 3 COVID-specific projects.
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