Structureel gebrek aan middelen voor fundamenteel onderzoek bij het FWO bedreigt de Vlaamse kennismaatschappij

Thanks to FWO, I can perform my research to help people fighting cancer.

Als lid van één van de FWO-commissies is het bij tijden niet motiverend om te zien hoe uitstekende voorstellen het niet mogen halen wegens te beperkte middelen. Het is zonder meer aantoonbaar dat hogere slaapkansen de intrinsieke kwaliteit van onderzoeksvoorstellen, en uiteindelijke het gevoerde onderzoek ten goede komt.

Currently working as a PhD student thanks to a FWO grant

And please don't forget the human sciences, that help to keep society human...

Flemish research is scored highly in various rankings. Our economy is increasingly knowledge-driven. Moreover, (Flemish) research contributes globally to a socially and environmentally more sustainable society. Underinvestment in research consequently is a refusal to invest in future.

Any household, that is only driven by short term financial benefits will be short-lived. Science is no exception to that rule. Any household that just follows what the others around them do, will never be creative and innovative. Science is no exception to that rule. Any household where efforts are not met by reasonable rewards, will lead to tension and disorganisation. Science is no exception to that rule. By signing this petition, I hope that FWO can continue its role as national and European forerunner in feeding the science of tomorrow with strong innovative science of today. I hope that FWO dares to be critical over how to best spend the Flemish tax payer's money for longterm benefits to a vibrant society.

Fundamental research is the basis for our society and its future. Without it many inventions that are part of our daily life now would not have been made.

Wetenschap is de basis van onze toekomst.

Omdat vele onderzoeken in nieuwe richtingen in een zakelijke wereld geen gehoor vinden

Niet enkel meer middelen maar vooral ook hoe die middelen worden toegekend. FWO hervorming dringend nodig.

Hugely disappointed in the current record low funding of research in Flanders. Decision makers need to take notice - this is a barrier to science!

opportunities are lost if researchers with scientific advances encounter funding problems. demotivation and unachieved work as a result.

story of my (postdoc) life...

We have in Flanders no natural sources that can allow us to lay back in our arm chair. We have though are intelligence and work attitude; with these instruments sufficient support we can make our economy to play a leading role in renovation, newe developments etc that can only be realized if we have an excellent education in support of excellent and well supported research. it is in this field that we must play a leading role for the next generations.

Meer geld voor fundamenteel onderzoek in alle wetenschaps-domeinen (alfa,beta, gamma) is dringend nodig om het professorenkorps gemotiveerd te houden. Tenzij we onze 'brains' liever naar het buitenland zien verhuizen.

we need more oportunity

During the last 3 years, I and my colleagues have submitted more than 8 different applications, incl. fellowship, project, international collaboration plan...all failed due to limited budget ...again and again we heard the same respond from the FWO. How disappointing news for all the senior and junior researchers! Hope this could be changed very soon and we are getting stronger finally!

society lives by faith, and develops by science. But no science is immune to the infection of politics and the corruption of power. Therefore, everybody should sign!

Een dalende slaagkans = meer tijd nodig om meer projecten te schrijven, tijd die eigenlijk naar onderzoek zou moeten gaan. Neerwaartse spiraal...

Een van de manieren om meer geld voor onderzoek vrij te maken is de vermindering van de 'real cost' van de als maar complexe selectieprocedures