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FAQ
General questions
What is Innovation for Defence?
Innovation for Defence is the dedicated Belgian Defence program accelerating bottom-up, short-cycle innovation. Its goal is to quickly test, scale, and integrate ideas and solutions proposed by Belgian Defence personnel and the industry into Defence operations.
Why is Innovation for Defence important for Belgian Defence?
Innovation for Defence ensures agility. In a rapidly changing operational environment, it allows us to continuously adopt new technologies and working methods, crucial for strengthening our capabilities and securing mission success.
What is the typical timeframe for an Innovation for Defence project?
Innovation for Defence focuses on short-cycle innovation. The time from idea submission to implementation is generally much faster than traditional procurement, aiming for rapid testing and scaling where possible, often measured in weeks and months rather than years.
Who is it for?
Innovation for Defence is intended for everyone within Belgian Defence with an idea, an identified need or just the wish to stay up to date. We are also open to external partners (industry, academia) who want to contribute their expertise to solving specific Defence challenges.
How does Innovation for Defence differ from regular Defence projects?
Innovation for Defence focuses on short-cycle and bottom-up innovation. This means the process is faster and ideas originate from those facing the operational challenges daily, unlike long-term, top-down procurement programs.
How does the Innovation Board work?
The Innovation Board is the decision-making body composed of Innovation Officers from all Defence forces, general directorates and staff departments. They review and approve ideas, prioritise critical needs, and coach innovators during project execution.
What is the typical timeframe for an Innovation for Defence project?
Innovation for Defence focuses on short-cycle innovation. The time from idea submission to implementation is generally much faster than traditional procurement, aiming for rapid testing and scaling where possible, often measured in weeks and months rather than years.
What support do I get if my idea is approved?
Approved ideas move into the execution phase, where you receive coaching from the Innovation Board Officers. Projects are supported through dedicated resources like the Physical/Digital Sandbox for testing and development. It is possible that there is additional support from the IaaS-contract (Innovation as a Service) partners: Verhaert, HackBelgium and Sopra Steria.
How can I participate in Innovation for Defence?
You can participate in three ways:
- As a Problem Explorer (submitting a Need). – Coming soon
- As an Idea Submitter (submitting a solution Idea).
- As a Problem Solver (participating in Innovation Training or Hackathons to solve existing challenges).
What happens after I submit an idea?
Your idea goes through the Idea Qualification Process. If positively evaluated, it is presented to the Innovation Board for approval, after which the project is executed and tested (e.g., in a Sandbox).
Who decides on the execution of the ideas?
The Innovation Board, consisting of Innovation Officers from all Defence forces and staff units, reviews and decides on the execution of the submitted ideas.
Are external partners allowed to submit ideas?
Yes, external partners are welcome to submit ideas for solutions of our existing challenges. No existing challenge that matches your expertise? Get in touch with us directly.
How does Innovation for Defence fit in the overall innovation and R&D ecosystem in Belgium?
Innovation for Defence acts as the internal accelerator for Defence’s specific operational needs. While traditional R&D often focuses on long-term technological development, Inno4Def focuses on rapid, short-cycle solutions driven by the user. By opening our Challenges to external partners, we actively collaborate with the Belgian ecosystem (academia, research centres, and industry) to pull proven civilian and military technologies into practical Defence applications, thereby strengthening the technological base of the Defence-Nation link.
Who can propose an idea?
Everyone within Belgian Defence (military personnel and civilians) is encouraged to submit ideas through the Idea Submission Form. Additionally, external partners (industry, research, academia) can submit ideas, particularly when addressing one of the officially published Inno4Def Challenges.
What is a good idea? what are the sucess factors?
A successful Inno4Def idea addresses a genuine, validated operational need and has a clear potential for impact, even if it starts small. Success factors include:
- Clarity and Focus (Is the problem clearly defined?)
- Feasibility (Can it be tested and developed relatively quickly?)
- Scalability (Does it have the potential for broader Defence application?).
The most important factor is often the Innovator’s commitment to coaching and testing.
Glossary of key terms
What is bottom-up Innovation?
Innovation that starts with the personnel (in the field, at the workplace) rather than being mandated by senior management (top-down). Inno4Def is focused on this.
What is short-cycle innovation?
An innovation process characterised by high speed, rapid feedback loops, and short periods between idea generation, testing, and implementation.
What is the Idea Qualification Process?
The initial evaluation phase for submitted ideas, typically involves a quick and rough assessment of relevance and feasibility.
What is a sandbox (Physical/Digital)?
A controlled testing environment (physical or virtual) where new solutions, prototypes, or technologies can be safely trialled and validated under realistic conditions.
What is a Horizon Scan?
A structured research process aimed at identifying new trends, technologies, or existing solutions in the market or with other organisations that may be relevant to a submitted idea or need.
What is a hackathon?
An intensive, multidisciplinary event (usually 2-3 days) where groups collaborate to design and prototype innovative solutions for a predetermined set of challenges.
What is an Innovation Officer?
Representatives from the various Defence forces (Land, Air, Sea, Cyber, Medical, etc.) staff departments and general directorates who serve on the Innovation Board.