The applications for setting up the CTBI and the SIM are the first concretisations arising from the set of 6 clusters and 30 priorities which the VRWB had identified in 2006. The VRWB handed over the results of this exploratory exercise as a reference framework to all stakeholders in Flanders: the government, industry and knowledge institutes. The VRWB is particularly pleased that this reference framework served as source of inspiration for extending two concrete spear-point initiatives which could mean a breakthrough for Flanders. Moreover, both initiatives form a perfect illustration of the implementation of the future plan 'Flanders in Action'.
The VRWB does continue advocating that the Flemish government go about launching such new large scale initiatives carefully. They should fit in with a global multi-year plan for science and innovation in the future. Within the multi-year plan, there should be space for supporting and reinforcing the existing channels, but also for directed use of strategic breakthroughs. In line with the VRWB-memorandum for 2009-2014, the VRWB explicitly asks that both new SOCs be financed with new resources, whereby the guaranteed growth of the regular channels does not come under pressure.
The Council also points out the fact that the global climate within research financing in Flanders today is entirely different from that ten years ago. Both cases are a clear proof of the positive trend towards more progress and more readiness to collaborate between the knowledge centres (even mutually) and the corporate sector. In its recommendation 114, the VRWB moreover advocated explicitly for priority attention to initiatives which promote this collaboration.
Although each of these centres, there will be a collaboration association of an earlier limited group of companies and academic research groups in the start-up phase, they should be open to new, quality partners, both big and small, in the future. Moreover, the possibility for international collaboration with foreign partners and/or in international networks or collaboration associations should be offered.
The VRWB is impressed with the quality of the present applications, which moreover can rely on positive international expert assessment. For the VRWB, the ambition for expanding the CTBI and the SIM should be very high. Both centres should participate internationally, and belong to the absolute topmost institutions within a foreseeable time. Both SOC's undoubtedly have a good chance of success, as long as they take into account the recommendations formulated.
The Council emphasises the vision of international experts, in which it is stated that it is important for the growth of translational research in Flanders that additional resources be earmarked for expanding clinical mandates and modifying the Applied Biomedical Research programme. For the SIM, maximum complementarity with existing initiatives should be strived for, in particular FLAMAC.