Belgian Federal Science Policy Office go live with AIMS

BELSPO using AIMS Grant Management Software to manage research programmes
We are excited to announce that the Belgian Federal Science Policy Office (BELSPO) has successfully gone live with AIMS Grant Management Software to manage its research grant programmes. This marks a significant milestone in our partnership, and we are thrilled to see them begin utilising our solution to streamline their operations and drive greater efficiency.
Our team has worked closely with BELSPO to ensure a smooth and successful implementation. We are confident that AIMS will empower them to achieve their goals and optimise their workflows moving forward.
BELSPO (Belgian Science Policy Office) is the federal government body responsible for science policy in Belgium. BELSPO designs and implements research programmes and manages the participation of Belgium in European and international organisations. Through the major research programmes the department manages, BELSPO provides the Belgian government with reliable access to validated data, allowing it to make decisions with full knowledge of the facts in areas such as sustainable development, the fight against climate change, biodiversity, energy, health, mobility and the information society.

The Federal Science Policy alone represents almost 30% of the entire Belgian public budget in terms of research.
To manage these significant programmes, BELSPO required an online platform for the submission, evaluation, monitoring and reporting of research projects. AIMS was chosen after a public procurement procedure.

Some of the distinctive needs highlighted by BELSPO that were met by AIMS Grant Management Software include:
- The platform is also accessible both to BELSPO administrators and to third-party users external to BELSPO.
- A system to manage the entire process, from researcher submission of proposals, through evaluation and selection, to project completion.
- The BELSPO platform coordinator is able to create calls for project proposals, including adapting forms & questionnaires, assigning tasks, setting up the timing, and adapting necessary notifications) and configuring different levels of user access (internal and external).
- Over time, a database of evaluators can be built in the platform. BELSPO can consult the information in the database and assign tasks to them.
- The platform allows for the reporting and extraction of data in a structured manner.
- The platform allows administrators to restrict access to systems, applications and data to authorised personnel. This includes strong password policies, where necessary or required, and role-based access controls.
We look forward to continuing to support BELSPO on this exciting journey. Our team are committed to helping them make the most of the features and capabilities of AIMS.
Who We Are
AIMS grant management software is developed by AIMS Software Ltd, an Irish company with decades of experience in the grant management sector. AIMS is delivered by our team of grant management specialists and IT experts, all of whom specialise in grant and programme management. We have been serving government, social, and development sectors for over three decades.
AIMS Software Ltd. works closely with organisations on four continents in a wide variety of sectors, from health and research to NGOs and government. We are proud to work with some of the world’s most innovative grantmaking organisations, and we have also become one of the top choices for progressive public and social organisations to manage their grants and programmes.
For media inquiries, please contact:
Thomas O’Connell
Marketing Executive
AIMS Software Limited
[email protected]
For more information on AIMS: https://directory.enterprise-ireland.com/vendor/aims-software-ltd
-
Grantmaking 101: Assessment Panels, Scoring and Moderation
Assessment isn’t really about giving applications a score. It’s about making good funding decisions. Good assessment means applying published criteria consistently, considering evidence fairly and making decisions that can be explained with confidence.
-
Grantmaking 101: What Makes a Good Grant Programme?
Good grant programmes do not start with software. They start with clarity. This Grantmaking 101 article explores the foundations of effective grant programme design.
-
EU Tech Sovereignty: Why It Matters for Grant Management in 2025 and Beyond
EU tech sovereignty is reshaping how organisations think about data, compliance, AI, and digital resilience. For grant-makers, it raises important questions about control, transparency, audit trails, and the systems used to manage public and organisational funding.
-
Grantmaking 101: Standardisation vs Flexibility in Grantmaking
Should grantmakers standardise their processes or allow flexibility across programmes? This article explores how organisations can balance governance, efficiency and consistency with the need for programme-specific design in modern grantmaking.
-
Grantmaking 101: What is a shared grant management service?
Grant programmes rarely sit neatly in one place. Across government, local authorities and public bodies, different teams often manage different funding schemes with their own processes, systems and reporting requirements. But while grant programmes may vary in purpose, many of the core grant management activities are fundamentally the same.
A shared grant management service provides a common foundation for managing multiple grant programmes through shared systems, governance controls and operational processes. Rather than forcing every scheme into a single rigid model, a well-designed shared service standardises the areas that should remain consistent — such as audit trails, reporting, approvals and applicant registration — while still allowing flexibility for different policy objectives and funding models.
For organisations managing grants at scale, shared grant management services can improve governance, reduce duplication, strengthen reporting and create a more consistent experience for applicants and administrators alike.
-
How Manual Grant Processes Slow Teams Down
Manual grant management processes can quietly slow down entire organisations. From spreadsheets and email chains to reporting delays and compliance risks, disconnected workflows create inefficiencies that impact teams, applicants, and leadership alike. This article explores the hidden operational costs of manual grant administration and why more organisations are moving toward modern grant management software.