Technology transfer (TETRA)
What is TETRA?
TETRA projects aim to translate recently available knowledge (new technology, recently completed research or existing knowledge from another domain or sector) into concrete, useful information so that the target group can innovate faster and more efficiently in the short term after the project.
The target group for the project results are Flemish companies and/or non-profit organizations. The projects have at least an economic finality (to be translated into competitiveness, employment and investments by companies in Flanders). In addition, the project can address a societal challenge.
A TETRA project can only be submitted if there is a demonstrable need on the part of businesses and/or non-profit organisations in Flanders. A representative proportion of them confirm this as active members of a guidance group. Members of the guidance group contribute at least 7.5% co-financing to the project cost. Yet they do not get preferential access to the results.
Who can apply for TETRA projects?
The TETRA call is open to research groups from Flemish university colleges and Flemish universities, which are actively engaged in practice-based research. The project applicants carry out short-term projects within TETRA that translate recently available knowledge (new technology, recently completed research or existing knowledge from another domain or sector) into validated and directly usable concepts or prototypes that meet the needs and offer new market opportunities to a wide group of companies. The projects should also be in line with the educational mission of the applicants. There is a demonstrable relationship and knowledge flow from the projects to the education of the applicants. In this way, there is also innovation in their own educational offering and there is a clear added value for the students graduating from these courses.
Collaboration is very important between the researchers and the target group of the project, but also with other knowledge providers and organizations. Other research groups or research organizations may cooperate in the project as co-applicants or as subcontractors of one particular applicant. As co-applicants, they must comply with the European regulations for research organizations. Companies, individuals, clusters, federations and public authorities may not be cannot be applicants or co-applicants, but can play an important role (as a member of the steering committee) in the broad dissemination of the project results.
Companies and non-profit organizations are increasingly challenged to respond flexibly to economic and societal challenges. TETRA projects at least aim to have an impact in terms of economic activity and sustainable employment. Projects can also pursue other societal objectives (e.g. sustainable materials management, energy efficiency and green energy, care innovation with the themes of ageing and health, sustainable and efficient mobility and logistics, social innovation and creative entrepreneurship, work and work organization). The TETRA program encourages projects that pursue social sustainability in addition to economic sustainability.
Frequently asked questions
What are the characteristics of a TETRA project?
TETRA project
The project budget consists of personnel and operating costs. A TETRA project lasts 2 years. The budget is min. € 100,000 and max. € 480,000. TETRA projects submitted within the framework of an international cooperation via a CORNET project may last up to max. 3 years if this is necessary for the cooperation. The grant amounts to a maximum of 92.5% of the project cost. There is a minimum of 7.5% co-financing from the target group (via private means). The Flemish Government sets an annual budget for TETRA.
Specifically for TETRA projects, the following concerns are important:
- The project budget of the applicant(s) combined should be at least 2/3 of the total budget amount.
- A subcontract from 10.000 EUR must be separated from the operating costs as an external service and explained be explained (quote or invoice of previous order(s) or a motivated estimate). Include a justified cost estimate). The evaluation will examine the relevance and necessity of this subcontracting (i.e. the tasks must be visible in the work plan). The total cost for these subcontracts cannot exceed 10% of the total project budget.
- The cost model requires a justification for the section 'operating costs'. The level of detail that is the level of detail requested is limited to listing major categories and their related cost (e.g., materials/raw materials, tools/tools, depreciation of research equipment, IT costs, travel/accommodation costs, smaller subcontracts, etc.)
- If certain costs for goods and services provided by target group companies are are subsequently settled through the co-financing plan, this can only be accepted if these are clearly provided for in the project budget at the time of application (as part of the operational costs or as external services).
TETRA-Cornet
It is encouraged to fit TETRA projects into an international context. This can be done through the collaborative network 'CORNET' (Collective Research NETwork).
VLAIO is a partner in CORNET (Collective Research NETwork). CORNET promotes international networking and collaboration for collective research. Within CORNET there are regular (usually two) calls per year. These are published on the CORNET website. Flemish partners can participate in CORNET with either a TETRA project or a COOCK project. To participate, at least 2 partners from the participating countries are required. The international application 'CORNET' and a Flemish addendum, which contains the elements necessary necessary to determine the usefulness and added value for Flanders, must be submitted together. Applications to CORNET go through a different evaluation procedure than applications to TETRA while the quality requirements are similar.
Characteristics:
- number: two calls per year (opening spring and autumn)
- Submit by e-mail: before the deadline for submission (see www.cornet.online).
- duration: two years (up to max. three years)
- budget: min. € 100.000 - max. € 480.000
- applicant(s) together min. 2/3 of the total budget
- large subcontracts (each > € 8,500) together max. 10% of the total budget