The funding of FNRS: a public commitment to research

The Fonds de la Recherche Scientifique – FNRS is mainly funded through public funding. In 2025, public subsidies amounted to €253.7 million, representing more than 91% of the institution’s total resources (€278.9 million in total).

These funds mainly come from:

• the Wallonia-Brussels Federation (€182.8 million);
• the Federal Government (€40.8 million, including IISN);
• the Walloon Region (€22.8 million);
• the National Lottery (€7.3 million).

In addition to this funding, the FNRS receives resources from the private sector, such as donations and bequests (€24.7 million in total, including nearly €10.0 million through the Télévie campaign).

What is this funding used for?

In 2025, total expenditure amounted to €293.5 million (for the FNRS and its associated funds, including FRIA, FRESH, IISN, FRFS and FRArt) and was allocated as follows:

• €162.9 million for the remuneration of doctoral researchers, postdoctoral researchers and permanent research staff, as well as their operating grants;
• €103.2 million for projects, grants and other funding instruments;
• €12.4 million for international research and mobility;
• €13.6 million for administrative and logistical support;

as well as funding dedicated to scientific evaluation, support for the WELRI non-profit organisation and other specific initiatives.

A tangible impact

Thanks to this public funding, in 2025 the FNRS was able to:

• support 2,749 fellows and research staff and fund nearly 700 projects, fundamental research grants and equipment across all scientific disciplines;
• foster international cooperation and researcher mobility;
• contribute to the development of strategic research.

Public funding thus forms the foundation of the FNRS’s independence and scientific excellence. Complemented by the generosity of donors, notably through Télévie, as well as by philanthropic support, it ensures sustainable support for fundamental research, a driving force for innovation and progress in society.