Methusalem: calculation of research funding awarded since 2021

Within the framework of the Methusalem funding, researchers may apply for a budget of between €300,000/year and €500,000/year (alfa sciences) - €600,000/year (bèta and gamma sciences). The annual Methusalem amount that can be applied for via this call may not exceed the average annual amount of competitively acquired research funding since 2021. 
To be eligible for Methusalem funding, researchers must demonstrate that they have obtained at least €300,000/year in competitively acquired research funding since 2021. If one wishes to apply for more than €300,000 per year via Methusalem, one must demonstrate that one has secured this higher amount of research funding since 2021.

Period

The calculations apply to the period 2021–2026. Projects that started before 2021 but continued into 2021–2026, or that started within 2021–2026 and continue beyond, are included in the calculation. These are counted proportionately (see below).

Amount to be demonstrated

  • Candidates must demonstrate that they have acquired an average minimum of €300,000 per year (= the minimum annual Methusalem funding amount) in research funding.
  • Considering the period 2021–2026, this means that candidates must show they have secured €1,800,000 in competitive research funding during this timeframe.
  • Note: if one wishes to request more than €300,000 per year through Methusalem, one must demonstrate having secured this higher amount in research funding since 2021.

Eligible funding

  • The calculation includes competitively acquired internal and external research funding. Non competitive funding does not count (e.g., BOF Starting Grant, Basic Research Funding).
  • Only funding for which the researcher is the actual budget holder is included.
  • Mandates (doctoral and postdoctoral fellowships):
    • Mandates often do not have a designated budget holder. Only the supervisor (promoter) may count a doctoral or postdoctoral mandate in the calculation. 
    • Co-supervisors (co-promoter) of mandates may not include these in the calculation.
    • If a Belgian mandate was awarded in person-months rather than in budget, the following standard amounts should be used:
      • €50,000 per year for a doctoral fellowship
      • €100,000 per year for a postdoctoral fellowship
    • For foreign scholarships (individual grants), the actual scholarship amount must be used.

Calculation

  • Depending on whether a project falls fully or partially within the 2021–2026 period, the full or a proportional amount of the project budget is counted.
  • If the project duration falls fully within 2021–2026: the full project budget counts.
  • If the project duration falls partially within 2021–2026:
    • A budget proportional to the duration within 2021–2026 is calculated.
    • Calculate the average monthly budget of the project (total project budget ÷ total project duration in months) and multiply this by the number of months that fall within 2021–2026.
  • Example:  An ERC project of €2,000,000 running from 1/9/2024 to 31/8/2029 counts for €933,333: the project duration is 60 months, meaning an average budget of €33,333 per month. The project runs for 28 months within 2021–2026, corresponding to €933,333.
  • Add together the budgets of all projects and mandates. The total acquired funding must exceed €1,800,000 to request the minimum Methusalem funding amount of €300,000 per year.