Before a Moonshot project can take off, it passes through several evaluation stages. The Moonshot evaluation procedure is not unique, but based on the procedure successfully implemented in recent years by spearhead clusters like Catalisti. For a schematic overview of this evaluation procedure, please consult the evaluation tollgates in the Documents & Downloads section.
Evaluation of cSBO Projects
The evaluation of cSBO project proposals includes two phases, as schematically indicated below.
In the first phase, each cSBO project proposal is evaluated, in line with the VLAIO evaluation procedure, by three independent academic experts. VLAIO and the Moonshot operational team select these experts based on their project-specific and subject-related expertise. These three experts can include both academic WAR members and/or external experts contacted on an ad hoc basis. Naturally, all experts must meet certain objectivity criteria so that no conflicts of interest exist in their relationship with the submitting parties.
Each expert individually prepares an written evaluation of the project proposal that takes into account cSBO-specific evaluation criteria, with specific focus on two parts of the project application: the scientific project description and the intended valorisation. Any questions the experts might have are submitted to and answered by the consortium in writing.
In the second phase, the project proposal, together with the three evaluation reports and the rebuttal written by the project consortium, is provided to the industrial WAR members, collectively known as the ProjectWAR. The ProjectWAR assesses the project proposal against cSBO-specific criteria and the overall Moonshot targets, taking its contribution to the Moonshot roadmap into account. On the basis of the project proposal, the three evaluation reports and the rebuttal, each industrial WAR member formulates an individual advice.
Then, all advices are discussed by the ProjectWAR in group until a consensus is reached. The ProjectWAR then ranks all submitted project proposals. In agreement with the ProjectWAR, a consolidated advice is formulated by the Catalisti and VLAIO representatives, which is presented to the Moonshot Governance Board (MGB) .
The MGB then makes a selection of promising project proposals. On the basis of the ProjectWAR ranking, the MGB can also implement a prioritization if required. Finally, the MGB presents its selection of project proposals to the Beslissingscomité bij het Fonds voor Innoveren en Ondernemen (HBC). Here, a final funding decision is made. If approved by the HBC, the cSBO project proposal officially becomes a Moonshot project.
Each expert individually prepares an written evaluation of the project proposal that takes into account cSBO-specific evaluation criteria, with specific focus on two parts of the project application: the scientific project description and the intended valorisation. Any questions the experts might have are submitted to and answered by the consortium in writing.
In the second phase, the project proposal, together with the three evaluation reports and the rebuttal written by the project consortium, is provided to the industrial WAR members, collectively known as the ProjectWAR. The ProjectWAR assesses the project proposal against cSBO-specific criteria and the overall Moonshot targets, taking its contribution to the Moonshot roadmap into account. On the basis of the project proposal, the three evaluation reports and the rebuttal, each industrial WAR member formulates an individual advice.
Then, all advices are discussed by the ProjectWAR in group until a consensus is reached. The ProjectWAR then ranks all submitted project proposals. In agreement with the ProjectWAR, a consolidated advice is formulated by the Catalisti and VLAIO representatives, which is presented to the Moonshot Governance Board (MGB) .
The MGB then makes a selection of promising project proposals. On the basis of the ProjectWAR ranking, the MGB can also implement a prioritization if required. Finally, the MGB presents its selection of project proposals to the Beslissingscomité bij het Fonds voor Innoveren en Ondernemen (HBC). Here, a final funding decision is made. If approved by the HBC, the cSBO project proposal officially becomes a Moonshot project.
Evaluation of LSI Projects
The evaluation of Later Stage Innovation (LSI) project proposals occurs in a single phase, as schematically indicated below.
Each project proposal is evaluated by the WAR. Questions WAR members might have are submitted to and answered by the consortium in writing. All evaluations are collectively discussed within the WAR in the presence of Catalisti and VLAIO representatives. The WAR then ranks all project proposals. In agreement with the WAR, a consolidated advice is formulated by the Catalisti and VLAIO representatives, which is presented to the Moonshot Governance Board (MGB).
The MGB then makes a selection of promising project proposals. On the basis of the WAR ranking, the MGB can also implement a prioritization if required. Finally, the MGB presents its selection of project proposals to the Flemish government, which makes a final funding decision. If approved by the government, the LSI project proposal officially becomes a Moonshot project.
The MGB then makes a selection of promising project proposals. On the basis of the WAR ranking, the MGB can also implement a prioritization if required. Finally, the MGB presents its selection of project proposals to the Flemish government, which makes a final funding decision. If approved by the government, the LSI project proposal officially becomes a Moonshot project.