Summary
This measure aims to support the creation of spin-off research companies and entrepreneurship training for researchers, via the development and validation of new products, processes or services intended to be used for short-term industrial purposes.
The Win4SpinOff measure is part of the NEW PROJECT axis (Offering aid for the creation of an innovative company) of the research aid reform based on identified needs (Win4Research).
Key points
The funding targets the achievement of two deliverables:
Deliverable 1:
The project should focus on the acquisition of new knowledge and skills, with a view to developing a new product, process or service intended for use in the short term. No company capable of accommodating the results can be found in Wallonia. It must be possible to complete the research in two years.
Deliverable 2:
The aim of this proposal is to start a new economic activity in Wallonia, via the creation of a spin-off company. This company must have its headquarters in Wallonia for at least five years.
As a result, the project will focus on drafting a five-year business plan and evaluating the potential or relevance of launching a new activity.
In detail
The sponsor is:
- a university department;
- a college department or a research centre linked to a college.
Target audience – Eligibility criteria
A proposal is eligible if the following elements are all answered in the affirmative:
- The sponsor originates from a university or college;
- Upon submitting the project, the sponsor must have fulfilled all their administrative obligations to the region;
- The application is submitted in the name of the rector of the university or the director/president of the college and the director of SYNHERA, where applicable;
- The research cannot have already received public funding
Assessment criteria and project selection
Projects are assessed in accordance with the following legal basis: Decree from the Walloon Government of 18 September 2008 concerning support for research, development and innovation in Wallonia, which was amended on 15 May 2014. Each of the criteria defined in the decree has its own maximum score:
- Article 38: The innovative nature of the project (rating/20)
- Article 45/46: Excellence and experience (rating/10)
- Articles 39 and 45/46: The quality, feasibility and relevance of the project (rating/20)
- Article 40 – 43/1: The promotion of innovation (rating/40)
- Article 41: The contribution to sustainable development (rating/10)
Other conditions
- The researcher must be identified when the project is submitted.
- They must hold a long teaching diploma;
- They have a full-time contract for the Win4SpinOff project;
- They must not have benefited from a FIRST Spin-off Win4SpinOff contract in the past.
- They may not be replaced during the mandate (including any extension).
- The project is overseen by a Monitoring Committee.
The support consists of granting subsidies that are 100% financed by the administration.
The budget includes:
- the researcher's full remuneration;
- a lump-sum amount of €20,000 for the department’s operating costs;
- a sum of €5,000 for external consultancy fees, which pertain to legal or financial support for the establishment of a business plan;
- a sum of €2,500 for training fees in subjects relating to company management and creation;
- a lump-sum amount representing 15 % of items a) and b) for the department’s management costs.
The agreement lasts for two years, with a possible extension of one year after the application is evaluated.
Candidates make contact with the university's interface or promotional department if the sponsor is a university department, or with SYNHERA if the sponsor is a college department. Projects are submitted via the ONTIME platform in the form of a declaration of intent (DI) by an expert in institutional development. The submission of the project involves three successive stages:
- the declaration of intent (DI);
- Win4SpinOff;
- business development.
Appeal procedures
How can I contact the department who made the decision?
You may contact the administrative department that made the decision at any time, independently of the appeal procedures outlined below, in order to obtain information about why the application was rejected.
You must contact the following department:
PSW Economy, Employment and Research
Technological Research and Development Department
Place de la Wallonie, 1 (Building III), 5100 NAMUR (JAMBES)
Phone no.: +32 (0)81 33 45 32
This free process is not subject to any specific formalities and does not suspend the periods for filing an appeal. The absence of a response from the administration does not constitute acceptance of your request.
How to file an appeal
Unless the dispute can be viewed as relating to a subjective right – in which case only courts of law and legal tribunals have jurisdiction – an appeal may be submitted to the State Council, in accordance with the procedures outlined below.
Request for cancellation
Cancellation of the decision may be requested by filing a request with the State Council, either:
- electronically to https://eproadmin.raadvst-consetat.be ;
- via a signed and dated registered letter to
Conseil d’État
Greffe
Section du Contentieux administratif
Rue de la Science, 33
1040 Brussels
You must submit your request within 60 calendar days from the date of notification for the disputed decision.
In your request, you must indicate the ‘reasons’ for your appeal, that is, the legal rights that have been infringed by the decision and the way in which they have been infringed.
Request for suspension
Sending a cancellation request does not suspend the effects of the decision.
If an emergency arises which is incompatible with the processing of the case, and if a serious argument is manifestly likely to lead to the cancellation, you may file a request to suspend the decision with the State Council.
The request for suspension may be submitted before, at the same time as, or after sending the request for cancellation.
In exceptional cases, and under specific conditions, you may also request the suspension of the decision in cases of extreme emergency.
Practical information
Requests for cancellation and suspension requests are only valid if they contain certain annexes and information. Reference is made to the coordinated laws and decrees mentioned below, which are available at http://www.raadvst-consetat.be (‘Procedure’ section).
Each requesting party must pay a fee of €200 (amount as of 9 January 2017), using a transfer form that will be sent to the party after the appeal is received. Payment is not currently subject to any deadline and the payment of the sum may be made at any time before the closure of the dispute.
Find out more: laws on the State Council, coordinated on 12 January 1973, Regent Decree of 23 August 1948 determining the procedure before the administrative disputes department of the State Council, Royal Decree of 5 December 1991 determining interlocutory proceedings before the State Council, which are available at http://www.raadvst-consetat.be (“procedure” section).
- Decree of 3 July 2008 concerning support for research, development and innovation in Wallonia
- Decree from the Walloon Government of 18 September 2008 concerning support for research, development and innovation in Wallonia, which was amended on 15 May 2014
- Text concerning the management of State aid for research, development and innovation (2014/C 198/01)
- General Block Exemption Regulation (GBER) - State aid (Wallonia.be)