The Howest Foundation intends to raise financial resources to realize both projects and research topics with a social added value. These initiatives originate from Howest study departments or are suggested by staff members, but are not or only partially supported by regular funding sources.
Specifically, the Howest Foundation wants to:
- Support projects that contribute to solutions for social and societal needs and that contribute to sustainable and global engagement.
- Support research topics that contribute to innovative and applied society-oriented research.
Operation
The initiator (a study department, a research group or an individual staff member) submits its/his project proposal to the steering committee. That committee ensures a balanced representation of both internal and external members of Howest while keeping a broad view on the organization and its objectives.
A project is assessed according to the following criteria:
- The project is in line with the mission and strategic objectives of Howest.
- The project is in line with the triple decretal mission of the University of Applied Sciences (education, research, service provision)
- The project is sustainable and has a social-societal added value.
- The project fits in with Howest's vision on (inter)regional and (inter)national cooperation.
- There is a link with the strategic agendas of local administrations and governments.
- The project contributes to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations.
The steering committee assesses the project proposals and submits these to the Howest management committee, which has the final say in the allocation of the projects to be supported. The Research Department presents proposals for research projects that fall within the selected research topics and also submits these to the Howest management committee for approval.