The objective of the VIB Grand Challenges Program is to significantly increase the societal impact of VIB's research, hence taking its scientific leadership to the next level of global visibility, while keeping to its formula of success of a bottom-up, excellence-driven institute.

This program aims to structurally support translational and/or disruptive research projects around a specific ‘grand challenge’, an unmet need in society. The projects have concrete objectives as proposed by VIB researchers, with as mandatory features:

• Joining forces beyond borders: interdisciplinarity
• Projects are translational with a clear value creation potential
• Striving for shared societal impact 
• Committing to (multi)stakeholder engagement & involvement

Together, the project teams will build the foundations that will enable them to implement their discoveries for the benefit of patients, customers, other stakeholders and society at large. In the initial phase, the researchers will also develop plans to ensure that the projects will translate into long-term implementation strategies with continued involvement of various stakeholders from the start.

These challenges fit within 5 of the sustainable development goals of the United Nations, more specifically Zero Hunger, Good Health and Well-Being, Climate Action, Partnerships and Responsible Consumption & production.