Global chemicals major Solvay has officially opened its 2026 call for projects under the Ernest Solvay Fund, offering up to €10,000 per initiative to support hands-on solutions in science, sustainability and social well-being.
Applications run from April 15 to September 30, 2026, with the process managed alongside the King Baudouin Foundation.
Since its launch in 2013, the Fund has built a track record that’s hard to ignore: 1,900 applications, 347 supported projects and more than €2 million invested to bring local solutions to life.
“What makes the Ernest Solvay Fund special is that it empowers local educators, volunteers, scientists and citizens who want to make a difference,” said Mark Van Bijsterveld, Solvay Chief People Officer.
“Across all these projects, the same idea emerges: when people have the tools to learn, experiment and create, communities become stronger. This is how we bring our Better Life commitment to life: by supporting the people who support their communities.”
The initiative is tightly focused on local impact. With more than 40 industrial sites worldwide, Solvay requires projects to take place within a 100-kilometre radius of its facilities—ensuring ideas don’t just stay theoretical, but deliver tangible change where it’s needed most.
Funding will target three key areas: making science and technology more accessible through STEM education, accelerating environmental protection efforts under “planet progress,” and improving safety, health and inclusion through “better life” initiatives.
For many applicants, the Fund represents more than just financial backing—it’s the first push that transforms a promising concept into a working solution with real community impact.
