Research that propels Brussels forward: bridging the gap between science and practice
Innoviris funds three Applied PhD projects to the tune of €1,107,438
The Brussels Institute for Research and Innovation, Innoviris, is funding three PhD projects through its Applied PhD 2025 programme, to the tune of €1,107,438. This programme fosters structural collaboration between research organisations and Brussels-based partners from the private, public and non-profit sectors.
Relevance of the programme
The Applied PhD programme aims to:
- Link scientific excellence to practical challenges faced by the Brussels partner;
- Strengthen collaboration between academic and non-academic stakeholders;
- Effectively leverage knowledge and technologies within partner organisations;
- Train researchers with both academic expertise and practical experience.
Projects run for a period of four years, with an interim evaluation. Researchers spend at least half their time working within the partner organisation, ensuring a direct link between research and practice. Success is measured by the successful defence of the thesis, the practical application of the results and the researcher’s enhanced employability.
Selected projects and expected outcomes
1. ETBO: Plain language in the Brussels public transport sector (KU Leuven, STIB – MIVB)
This project analyses how STIB can make its communications more accessible to people with low literacy levels. By combining different disciplines, it examines both language policies and passengers’ perceptions.
Objective: to formulate concrete recommendations for inclusive communication and improved public transport services.
2. ParticipationBXL: Mapping and Tracing the Conditions of Political Follow-up on Participatory Processes (UCLouvain, Perspective.Brussels)
This research examines how participatory processes translate into effective policy decisions and which factors determine their success.
Objective: to produce practical analyses and improve databases in order to better integrate participation into public policy.
3. PRÉ_HO: Prevent Home Eviction Brussels (UCLouvain – L’Ilot)
This project analyses housing insecurity among women in Brussels and the strategies put in place to prevent evictions.
Objective: to propose policy recommendations and tools to strengthen housing security and social support.
Impact for Brussels
These three projects contribute to the sustainable development of the Brussels-Capital Region, in social, economic and environmental terms. They generate new scientific knowledge useful to Brussels-based partners (private, public or non-profit sectors).
With this programme, Innoviris reaffirms its role as a catalyst for innovation that goes beyond the academic sphere to generate a tangible impact on society and the Brussels ecosystem.