What's up

February 11, 2026 – Belgian Defence, in collaboration with the Royal Higher Institute for Defence, is launching the first edition of a funding program unique of its kind. It aims to develop short-cycle innovation projects and mature solutions that can be quickly implemented in an operational context.

This year, the theme focuses on “securing connected objects in Defense and dual-use contexts” and the allocated budget is 1.8 million euros, including 150,000 euros per project.

This call is open until 8 March and is addressed to Belgian innovators, whether they come from the world of research, education, universities, federal scientific institutions, or private companies.

Two information sessions are being organized within the “Cyber Defense Factories”, meeting and research places between the public and private world at the heart of regional cybersecurity ecosystems. The first at A6K, a technological center and start-up acceleration center in Charleroi on 11 February. The second will take place on the Bruges campus of HOWEST, the higher school of applied sciences on 12 February.

Major General Pierre Ciparisse, commander of the Cyber Force, explains: “Research and innovation are at the heart of the development of the Cyber Force. The projects that will be selected via STRIKE IT strengthen dynamic interactions with research centers and companies. They contribute to maintaining our technological expertise in order to face a multitude of threats in cyberspace.”

All the details of the call for projects are available here.

Informing and connecting

The launch event at A6K gathered innovators, researchers, companies, start-ups and ecosystem partners interested in contributing to Belgium’s cyber defense strategy.

The session opened with a welcome moment, followed by a detailed presentation outlining the call’s objectives, eligibility criteria, evaluation process, and expected TRL progression. Emphasis was placed on readiness and on the need for projects to proactively propose solutions that anticipate future defense needs. Applicants are expected to demonstrate maturity, strategic foresight, and the capacity to deliver within an accelerated timeframe.

The presentation was followed by an interactive Q&A session, allowing participants to raise questions and clarify specific aspects of the call. Discussions then continued during a networking moment and walking lunch, fostering exchanges and encouraging the formation of high-quality partnerships.

These information days were designed not only to clarify the framework of the call, but also to stimulate ambitious, ready-to-deploy collaborations capable of delivering tangible impact.

The initiative was also highlighted by RTBF in a recent radio segment, featuring testimony from I-care, illustrating the concrete opportunities this program represents for innovative companies.

We thank all participants for their engagement and the quality of discussions throughout the session.