The Walloon Government defined the principle behind the creation of WELBIO in a note of 12 December 2008. WELBIO was founded on 2 June 2009 as a not-for-profit association and its Statutes were published in the Belgian Monitor. On 26 April 2010, a cooperation agreement was signed between WELBIO and the Louvain Academy, the Wallonia-Brussels Academy and the Wallonia-Europe Academy. The first call for projects launched in spring 2010 was successful, with over 85 applications received. Based on a priority selection carried out by the Scientific Council, the Governing Board awarded funding to 15 projects. These research programmes started on 1 February 2011.
- To develop an autonomous inter-university structure, providing a stable and stimulating environment for scientific excellence in basic life sciences research;
- To develop rigorous evaluation and selection processes based on excellence;
- To translate scientific achievements in medical, pharmaceutical and veterinary biotechnology applications;
- To valorize scientific achievements by creating spin-off companies and/or privileged partnerships with Walloon businesses, including those within the competitiveness clusters;
- To raise public awareness and to promote a dynamic image of the Walloon region within the global scientific and industrial communities.
WELBIO is a not-for-profit organization headed by a Governing Board, consisting of representatives from academics, industry and government. The General Management is responsible for running WELBIO on a daily basis. The Scientific Council, composed of internationally renowned experts in the domains of life sciences, is responsible for the selection and prioritization of the projects submitted in response to calls for proposals. WELBIO is under the authority of the Ministries of Research and Economy.
- Note of 12 December 2008 from the Walloon Government (in french)
- Statutes (in french)
- Cooperation agreement
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