The aim of this programme is to carry out cross-thematic research into societal issues that are among the priorities of the FPSs and the Federal Government, including research in the domain of HASS (Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences).
Through this programme, BELSPO will provide support and methodological expertise to the aforementioned institutions in the selection and follow-up of research projects, but also wants to encourage policymakers to formulate research priorities and release additional research budgets at political level for their implementation. The type of project(s) and theme(s) proposed will have to align with these research priorities.
BELSPO is responsible for the implementation and management of the programme, assisted by a S4Policy Programme Committee composed of:
The committee also acts as an institutional memory of accomplished research to avoid repetition and/or overlap of topics. To perform this task, FPS representatives will ensure that they are aware of research conducted in their own departments. The Programme Committee has a balanced composition in terms of language and gender.
The Programme Committee is mandated to advise on:
For the implementation of the ‘Flash’ research, BELSPO will consult with the relevant FPS(s).
Within policy-driven and policy-oriented research, there is a possibility for bilateral cooperation with specific partner countries or areas at the request of the FPS(s) concerned, for example based on existing diplomatic agreements for R&D&I cooperation. The regular bilateral dialogue via joint committee meetings (organised approximately every three years) where agreements are made around focus areas of common interest and applied cooperation instruments will also continue if the FPS(s) concerned wish/want to.
At the beginning and mid-term of each legislature, BELSPO and the strategic policy cell for Science Policy will identify priority research needs and questions for policy-driven and policy-oriented research together with the FPSs and the Federal strategic policy cells. Based on these, a call agenda will be established, and the information will be submitted to the government as part of the budget cycle. The long-term strategic research calendar can/will be reviewed annually by BELSPO and the Programme Committee and adapted where necessary to ensure the pertinence of the research actions in function of an evolving societal framework. Priorities for ‘Flash’ research will be made ad hoc by the FPS(s) concerned.
There are three different types of projects in the S4Policy Programme:
1. ‘Flash’ research
A Flash project is a tool to provide a rapid response to urgent, time-limited (3-12 months) research needs expressed by one or more FPSs or their competent Minister(s) in support of political decision-making. The aim is to rapidly mobilise expertise or existing scientific.
Flash project results should provide a scientific basis for the execution of federal policy through the implementation of a federal measure, decision, etc.
This instrument will not be organised based on specific calls for proposals on specific themes. To respond as flexibly as possible to requests from the FPSs, requests for Flash research will be received continuously throughout the year. Such requests should be submitted via the ad-hoc form by an FPS and/or a strategic policy cell via: flash@belspo.be. It is requested that the form be introduced by the SPF/SPP representative on the Science4Policy programme committee.
The Flash research project is then the subject of a call for proposals addressed to public research bodies (universities, colleges, federal scientific institutions, public research centres). Calls for proposals for Flash projects can be consulted by following this link.
2. Policy-driven research
The research priorities within these types of projects are proposed by and respond to the specific needs of FPSs. Policy-driven research has a narrow scope and aims to support the concerned department(s) and/or government in the implementation and management of their public policies. The scientific results of the projects will be used and implemented specifically by the FPS(s) concerned. Examples include the co-funded projects resulting from the last
BRAIN-be 2.0 - Pillar 3 
call.
3. ‘Policy-Oriented’research
This type of research aims to fund a set of interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary research projects of a strategic nature around broad generic policy themes – possibly across several FPSs – to support long-term decision-making by creating or ensuring critical research mass capacity and international recognition through collaboration.
This type of research also includes:
Examples of this type of research are the DRUGS , POST-COVID en DEFRA programmes.
