imec.icon - Open Call
Discover how the imec.icon program can help you kick-start your cooperative research project in the digital technologies and nano electronics.
Project Submission Procedure
The imec.icon project submission procedure consists of 2 phases. Get a detailed description of the entire procedure in the imec.icon manual.
Phase 1: Abstract
Submit an extended abstract
Deadline: November 13, 2025
Describe in your abstract:
- Project idea
- Motivation of the demand-driven aspect
- Members of the consortium
- Expected outcome
- Estimated effort of each partner
Pitch
December 3, 2025
Go/No go decision
Based on the abstract, your pitch and the expert panel's advice, the imec Management Board accepts or rejects the project idea. Acceptance will come with an invitation to enter the second phase and submit a full proposal. Rejection means the procedure is halted.
Phase 2: Full proposal
Submit a full proposal
Deadline: February 2026
The full proposal will be evaluated by international experts. Additionally, instruction meetings are held with imec, Agentschap Innoveren & Ondernemen and Innoviris.
Full Proposal Funding agency meetings
March-April 2026
Go/No Go decision
Based on the full proposal, your instruction meeting and the expert advice, the imec Management Board accepts or rejects the project idea.
Acceptance will come with an invitation start the project. Rejection means the procedure is halted.
Start of the project
Upon approval of your full proposal, the consortium gets permission to start its research at the official start date (June 1, 2026).
If external partners wish to start earlier, they can do so at their own risk, from the first day of the month following the submission of an eligible full proposal. Funding of the imec research groups starts on June 1, 2026.
Documents
You can find all documents and templates here.
