The Ernest Solvay Fund 2026 invites non-commercial organisations worldwide to apply for project grants of up to €10,000 across three philanthropic focus areas: STEM education, planet progress, and better life. Hosted by the King Baudouin Foundation, this fund supports initiatives in Belgium and in countries where Solvay maintains an active industrial, R&I, or administrative presence. Notably, eligible organisations must implement their projects within 100 km of a qualifying Solvay site. The application deadline is September 30, 2026.
Program Highlights
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Opportunity Type | Research Grant |
| Organising Body | Ernest Solvay Fund / King Baudouin Foundation |
| Mode | Online Application |
| Duration | Project-Dependent |
| Location / Platform | Belgium and Countries where Solvay is Active |
| Last Date to Apply | September 30, 2026 |
About the Program
The Ernest Solvay Fund operates as a corporate philanthropic instrument under the broader social responsibility framework of Solvay, one of Europe’s leading science and specialty materials companies. Hosted by the King Baudouin Foundation, the fund channels financial support toward non-commercial projects that align directly with three strategic areas of the company’s philanthropic policy. Consequently, this grant functions not merely as charitable giving but as a targeted investment in communities and ecosystems where Solvay operates.
The fund’s STEM education pillar encompasses the sciences — principally chemistry, physics, and earth sciences — alongside technology, engineering, mathematics, and digital education. Furthermore, the planet progress pillar addresses environmental challenges including biodiversity conservation, energy transition, and improvements to air and water quality. The better life pillar, meanwhile, focuses on strengthening the physical, psychosocial, and financial security of communities in proximity to Solvay sites.
For academic institutions, research organisations, and civil society bodies operating in STEM or sustainability domains, the Ernest Solvay Fund 2026 represents a structured funding pathway with a clearly defined scope, a reputable host foundation, and a straightforward online application process.
Eligibility Criteria
Academic Qualification
- Open to any organisation — including academic institutions, research bodies, NGOs, and civil society groups — implementing a non-commercial project
- The project must fall within at least one of the three areas: STEM education, planet progress, or better life
- No geographic restriction on the organisation’s home country, provided the project is implemented in an eligible location
Experience & Other Conditions
- The proposed project must be implemented within a radius of 100 km of an industrial, R&I, or administrative site of Solvay
- Commercial sites of Solvay do not qualify as reference points for the 100 km radius calculation
- The project must be non-commercial in nature — revenue-generating or for-profit initiatives are not eligible
- Organisations must register or log in to an account on the official application portal before submitting
Benefits & Funding
Selected organisations receive a direct project grant to fund their approved initiative, with the amount determined by project scope up to the maximum ceiling.
| Component | Amount / Detail |
|---|---|
| Project Grant | Up to €10,000 per selected organisation |
Topics / Themes Covered
Funded projects must engage substantively with one or more of the following thematic areas:
- STEM education — promotion of science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and digital education among young people, including chemistry, physics, and earth sciences
- Biodiversity conservation and environmental protection initiatives
- Energy transition projects supporting sustainable infrastructure and practices
- Protection and improvement of air and water quality in communities near Solvay sites
- Physical, psychosocial, and financial security support for communities — including school projects for sick children and financial literacy initiatives
- Any initiative that demonstrably improves quality of life in communities surrounding Solvay’s operational locations
Selection Process
- Eligibility verification against the fund’s three thematic areas and the 100 km proximity requirement
- Online submission review for completeness and alignment with the fund’s corporate philanthropic mandate
- Evaluation of project impact, feasibility, and relevance to the Ernest Solvay Fund 2026 priorities
- Final selection and notification to successful applicants by the King Baudouin Foundation
How to Apply
- Verify that your organisation and proposed project meet the eligibility criteria, particularly the 100 km proximity to a qualifying Solvay site.
- Visit the official Ernest Solvay Fund page hosted by the King Baudouin Foundation.
- Log in to your existing account or create a new account if this is your first application.
- Complete the online application form — the portal allows multi-session completion, so the form can be filled in stages.
- Review all sections thoroughly before final submission.
- Submit the completed application; a confirmation email along with a PDF copy of your application will be sent to the registered email address.
No application fee is required for this grant.
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Release Date | April 20, 2026 |
| Application Start Date | Started |
| Last Date to Apply | September 30, 2026 |
Important Links
| Resource | Link |
|---|---|
| Apply Online | Click Here |
| Official Website | kbs-frb.be |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can apply for the Ernest Solvay Fund 2026?
Any non-commercial organisation — including academic institutions, research bodies, NGOs, and community groups — may apply, provided the proposed project falls within one of the three thematic areas and is implemented within 100 km of a qualifying Solvay industrial, R&I, or administrative site. Notably, the Ernest Solvay Fund 2026 does not restrict applications by country of origin.
What is the maximum grant amount available?
Organisations may receive up to €10,000 to fund their approved project. The grant is disbursed by the King Baudouin Foundation, which hosts the fund, and covers costs directly associated with the submitted project proposal.
What does STEM education include under this fund?
STEM education, as defined by this grant, covers science — principally chemistry, physics, and earth sciences — along with technology, engineering, mathematics, and digital education. Furthermore, projects that promote and encourage young people to pursue science and technology disciplines are explicitly prioritised under this thematic pillar.
Is the 100 km proximity rule strictly enforced?
Yes. Organisations must implement their project within a 100 km radius of an industrial, R&I, or administrative Solvay site. Consequently, proximity to a commercial Solvay site does not satisfy this requirement. Applicants should confirm the nearest qualifying site before submitting.
Can the application form be completed in multiple sessions?
Yes. The online application portal provided by the King Baudouin Foundation allows applicants to save progress and complete the form across multiple sessions. Once the application is fully completed and submitted, a confirmation email and a PDF copy of the submission are sent to the applicant automatically.