Endowed Chairs at KU Leuven by KULeuven_publications

Hearts helping knowledge: the driving force behind innovation

INVEST IN AN ENDOWED CHAIR AT KU LEUVEN

Content Inauguration extended QbD Chair for Precision Oncology Research in Glioblastoma. © Michael De Lausnay t

1. What is an endowed chair?

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2. Benefits for your company or organisation

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3. Why collaborate with KU Leuven and UZ Leuven? p. 8 4. How do you set up your own endowed chair?

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5. Endowed Chairs in figures

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6. A beneficial dialogue

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Content I Introduction I 1. What is an endowed chair? I 2. Benefits for your company or organisation I 3. Why collaborate with KU Leuven and UZ Leuven? I 4. How do you set up your own endowed chair? I 5. Endowed Chairs in figures I 6. A beneficial dialogue

KU Leuven’s mission statement contains a rather solemn sentence that resonates deeply upon further reflection. Take a moment to read it: (The University) puts its knowledge at the service of people and society, with particular attention to the most vulnerable. To state it more concretely: we want to use our knowledge to increase prosperity and well-being for all. This is knowledge as a means of ‘world-making’, deliberately using our advances to create a better world. Do you, as a private individual or entrepreneur, share our commitment and, like us, want to bring about positive change? If so, become one of the hearts helping knowledge by supporting us with an endowed chair, a powerful tool with which you can stimulate socially relevant research. With a chair, you give researchers the time and space needed to explore, delve deep and innovate.

In this brochure, you can read about how to finance a chair and the benefits this will bring to you. As a donor, you determine the focus in consultation with us. A chair can encourage fundamental research, but it can also support educational projects. You can give the chair your own name or name it after your company, your association, or a person you wish to honour in a special way. A chair is so much more than a donation. It is a way to connect your own values to research that makes a difference. Today, KU Leuven has almost 100 active chairs in various fields. Together with our partners, we turn knowledge into progress and work on solutions to the challenges of today and tomorrow. We look forward to welcoming you to our network of committed donors.

Koen Debackere Executive director KU Leuven Research & Development Severine Vermeire Rector of KU Leuven

1. What is an endowed chair? Through an endowed chair, you as a company, organisation or individual form a sustainable partnership with the University. As a partner, you commit to making a substantial annual contribution of EUR 70,000 to a research project, educational activity or social initiative. With a minimum term of three years, a chair guarantees in-depth and long-term collaboration. Do you have robust ambitions? Then the duration and amount can be scaled up. This creates room for an even stronger commitment. Each chair has an chair holder, who is a professor at KU Leuven and leads a team within a specific faculty or research group. Interdisciplinary cooperation is also possible through one of the 16 KU Leuven Institutes, such as the Leuven Cancer Institute, the Institute for Artificial Intelligence or the Digital Society Institute. As a partner, you have the choice of naming the chair after your company, yourself or the type of research you support. The Acerta Chair AI at Work, the Proximus Chair in Quantum Science and Technology and the EG Chair in Inflammatory Bowel Diseases are just a few excellent examples. t

Professor Verstrepen, co-chairholder of the AB InBev endowed chair in Malting and Brewing. This endowed chair supports educational activities in the field of malting and brewing sciences, and more specifically internationally focused postgraduate education. © Rob Stevens

There are three ways to fund an chair, each with its own advantages: 1. Through a donation. We prepare a letter of intent. Your donation is tax deductible. You will receive a tax certificate. 2. Through sponsorship. We draw up a sponsorship agreement. You will receive an invoice and pay 21% VAT, which is in principle fully tax deductible. 3. Via a grant. You will receive a payment request, but no tax certificate or invoice. During the term of the contract, the chair holder will keep you up to date on research activities and provide you with an annual report. The staff of the Fundraising and Alumni Relations Office will always at your service. It is important to note that funding a chair is a form of patronage, not contract research. As a donor or sponsor, you have no control over research objectives, project results or confidentiality of outcomes. The University retains intellectual property (IP) rights. Commercial licences are not at play here and funding does not depend on evaluation reports. Under a chair framework, the researcher remains completely independent. The research team continues to share its findings with the public in order to contribute to society.

Certificate signing during the inauguration of the Covidien AG Medtronic Chair Surgical Treatment for Pulmonary Emphysema and the Medtronic chair on Optimizing the Outcome of Bariatric/metabolic surgery. © Michael De Lausnay t

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TESTIMONIAL MEDTRONIC CHAIRS “We are honoured to partner with KU Leuven and Leuven University Hospitals (UZ Leuven). Their doctors, professors and health professionals are amongst the absolute best. Our main focus is innovation: how do we ensure that these innovations provide value, stay available and remain affordable for patients? This chair can prove invaluable for a patient. In the past, every breath was a challenge; after surgery, people were often bedridden. Now, even a stay in intensive care is sometimes no longer necessary. That makes this investment worthwhile.” Karen Troch Senior Strategic Account Manager Medtronic

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2. Benefits for your company or organisation Doing good because it benefits people and the planet is your trademark. A chair at KU Leuven can make your vision for the future tangible. Discover everything that makes the chair concept so interesting.

Professor Boute conducts research into prescriptive maintenance thanks to the Atlas Copco Research Chair in Service Systems. © Rob Stevens t

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By establishing an endowed chair, you promote scientific insights that fuel innovation. By encouraging research, you help society move forward, create prosperity and employment, and strengthen your company’s or organisation’s knowledge base. This keeps you at the forefront of innovation. You will also receive an annual report on the progress of the research.

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Through an endowed chair, you gain access to in-depth and innovative insights from scientific research. The independent and often interdisciplinary perspective of academics offers new ways of looking at the challenges facing your sector. This enables you to help develop, share and commercialise knowledge and insights, and to position your organisation as a thought leader within the field.

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As a key University partner, you will have a prominent position: - You will come into contact with leading academics who are recognised as leading experts in their fields. They will share their knowledge with your team, whilst our academics will have the opportunity to test new insights from the laboratory against real-world practice. This leads to a fruitful exchange of ideas and experiences.

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- By associating your name with an endowed chair, you strengthen your reputation and brand value. You receive recognition for your contribution, for example, when your endowed chair is mentioned in publications, press articles or newsletters. As a sponsor, you enjoy extra visibility through the inclusion of your name and logo on our official website.

“Academic research is about longer-term innovation. Companies that want to continuously innovate therefore happily knock on universities' doors to learn and find inspiration.”

Scan the QR code and read the full story. 6I

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You will become part of our wider international community of researchers and professors, students and alumni, opinion leaders and board members. As a key corporate partner, KU Leuven will invite you to the exclusive Rector’s Circle and other events.

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Within the framework of an endowed chair, opportunities arise to explore other partnerships. We are happy to put you in touch with the knowledge and technology transfer office (KU Leuven Research & Development), student services (KU Leuven Stuvo), the KU Leuven Institutes, our faculties and more. There are also opportunities to collaborate with young talent and thus tap into a pool of potential future employees.

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You will benefit from tax relief. If you fund an endowed chair through a gift, your contribution is usually tax-deductible. If you opt for sponsorship, you will enjoy extra visibility through the inclusion of your name and logo on our website, and you can reclaim VAT.

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TESTIMONIAL ATLAS COPCO RESEARCH CHAIR IN SERVICE SYSTEMS “Innovation proceeds from an open starting question without knowing in advance what the results will be. There is an interaction with the professors and experts at the University. We look at our business with a certain perspective, but academics see it much more broadly and come up with compelling ideas we wouldn't have thought of.” Björn Leempoels Vice President for sales and marketing Atlas Copco

During an official inauguration, we celebrate the new collaboration together with your employees. We highlight the partnership on our social media channels. © Tomas Sisk t

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3. Why collaborate with KU Leuven and UZ Leuven? With an endowed chair, you position yourself as a pioneer in forward-looking education and innovative world-class research. The University maintains its pioneering role thanks to our patrons. They make the difference.

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UZ Leuven ranks amongst the world's best hospitals.

KU Leuven is Europe's most innovative university.

As Belgium's largest university hospital, University Hospitals Leuven (UZ Leuven) sets the standard in medical research. Scientists from KU Leuven and UZ Leuven constantly strive to find diagnostic solutions that strengthen care on all fronts. Working closely together, they unravel hidden disease patterns and practise new, more tailored treatments.

So confirms the Reuters ranking. According to the world rankings from QS (60st place) and Times Higher Education (46th place), KU Leuven can also be counted amongst the leading European universities. It owes this in part to its unwavering academic reputation, extensive patent portfolio and international research network. 8I

It is crucial that scientists from various disciplines combine their knowledge and expertise to combat the major challenges of our time. That is why at researchers KU Leuven and UZ Leuven are constantly looking over the walls of their own domains. This ensures broad support for interdisciplinary chairs that are not tied to one domain or faculty. The KU Leuven Institutes and their associated chairs illustrate this nicely.

Our network opens doors to new insights and experiences. As a corporate partner, an international network of 8,268 researchers, 13,655 KU Leuven staff members, 9,416 UZ Leuven staff members, 63,476 students and 329,421 alumni will be open to you. Together, we make top-level research and teaching possible.

With three decades of experience in forming chairs, you are in capable hands. Chairs made their appearance at the University as early as 1993. We now count around 100 active chairs.The oldest chair dates back to 2001, and is proof of our professional approach and deep knowledge in attracting partners for long-term and fruitful collaborations at the University.

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Every chair is unique, and so is our approach. Our team of expert, experienced professionals is ready to offer you tailor-made guidance that perfectly suits your specific situation. You can always contact the chair coordinator and legal team that will guide you through the process from A to Z.

TESTIMONIAL SIEMENS CHAIR DIGITAL TWIN FOR SMART AND SUSTAINABLE PRODUCTS “Siemens is donating the chair in honour of KU Leuven's 600th anniversary in 2025, emphasising the company's long-standing collaboration that has promoted industrial innovation and academic excellence. With the new Siemens Chair, we will explore the frontiers of digital twin technologies, which promise revolutionary solutions to real-world challenges. This initiative underscores a mutual commitment to pushing technological and educational boundaries for a more sustainable world.” Jean-Claude Ercolanelli Senior Vice President, Simulation and Test Solutions, Siemens Digital Industries Software

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Interdisciplinarity is of paramount importance to us.

4. How do you set up your own endowed chair? Interested in funding an endowed chair at KU Leuven? Follow this roadmap to set up your own chair.

1. You contact our chair coordinator. During a kick-off meeting, we get to know each other and identify your goals, values and expectations. On this basis, we look for the researcher who is the best match for your vision. They will become the holder of your chair.

2. You define the topic of the chair in consultation with the chairholder. You also determine the amount you wish to donate annually to the project. You choose whether to offer financial support in the form of a donation, sponsorship or grant.

3. Our lawyers draft the chair agreement.

5. Both parties share the news of the new partnership.

We denote the name, objective and further details in the contract. You can give your own name to the chair or name it after your company, your association or a person you want to honour in a special way.

Both parties will communicate the news via press articles, social media and newsletters. We will create a page on the KU Leuven website where interested members of the public can find all the details about the intent behind the chair.

4. The contract will be signed during the solemn inauguration. This takes place in the presence of the Rector. As a token of appreciation, you will receive a corporate gift in the form of a certificate or a bronze statue.

Certificate signing during the inauguration of the Euroclear Chair on Predictive Process Mining for Financial Market Infrastructure Services. © Johan Van Droogenbroeck u

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What should you expect? • • • • • • • •

Expert guidance tailored to your needs and ambitions Legal advice from our in-house counselors An official inauguration in the presence of the rector Transparency in the use of funds Regular updates on project progress Personal contact with the chair holder Partnership announcement through official communication channels of KU Leuven and/or UZ Leuven Networking opportunities

Is the chair agreement coming to an end? We would be happy to discuss with you options for extending the chair as well as other interesting opportunities for collaboration.

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TESTIMONIAL ROGER BOUILLON CHAIR DONATED BY THE ANTOINE FAES FOUNDATION The Antoine Faes Foundation donated a chair in biomedical sciences to KU Leuven. This chair will be used for research into new, safe and effective treatments for patients with cardiac arrhythmias. In gratitude for services rendered as scientific advisor to the foundation, the chair is dedicated to Professor Roger Bouillon. Professors Eef Dries and Bert Vandenberk are quite enthusiastic: “The ambition is to tackle life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias with a single precision application of radiation.”

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Would your organisation or company like to contribute to a specific KU Leuven fund or project in a different way? Would you like to organise a fundraising campaign with your employees? Or would you prefer to opt for sponsorship? Are you more interested in contract research and would you like to set up a collaboration between your company and KU Leuven Research & Development? Are you looking for new employees or would you like to offer an internship or student job?

One of our advisors will be happy to discuss this with you and put you in touch with the right people at KU Leuven.

View the photo collection

Other opportunities for collaboration

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5. Endowed Chairs in figures

KU Leuven has a rich philanthropic history and has been receiving donations from patrons

Discover all our chairs at kuleuven.be/endowed-chairs or scan the QR code.

Chairs have been established at KU Leuven since 1993.

since 1425.

A chair term lasts for at least 3 years.

IN 2025, THERE WERE 94 CHAIRS ACTIVE IN VARIOUS FIELDS.

A chair costs a minimum of

70,000 euros per year.

As a sponsor, you pay 21 % VAT, which in principle is fully tax deductible.

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6. A beneficial dialogue At the Fundraising and Alumni Relations Office, we look forward to turning your commitment into lasting impact. Our team of experts and legal advisers will work closely with you to create a chair that seamlessly aligns with your vision and values. Ready to work together to change course? Contact us today and discover how your commitment will lead to sustainable progress.

Would you like to stay informed? Receive our research stories directly in your (digital) mailbox via the newsletter from KU Leuven Stories and the University magazine Sonar.

FUNDRAISING AND ALUMNI RELATIONS OFFICE Minderbroedersstraat 5 3000 LEUVEN tel. +32 16 32 37 39  giving@kuleuven.be giving.kuleuven.be

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“As coordinator of chairs at KU Leuven, I am ready to listen closely to your story. Feel free to get in touch. I'm happy to put my years of experience to work to bridge the gap between your area of interest, your sector and our academic community. Together we will aim to create a perfect match.” GERT-JAN BAKX Chair coordinator tel. +32 16 37 45 93  gert-jan.bakx@kuleuven.be

“The great added value of a chair is the link between the academic and business worlds. If you are a business manager facing a problem and looking for a solution, come to the university. This will open the door to the academic community for you and your employees. The only prerequisite is that you must commit yourself, and above all commit your time. I would be happy to discuss with you, as a business leader, the possibility of a partnership with KU Leuven. I am always willing to share my past experiences with you.” RONNIE LETEN Chair of the KU Leuven Advisory Board Philantrophy and former CEO of Atlas Copco

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“ s Honorary Rector Luc Sels presents a gift during the inauguration of the extended endowed chair.

s Christophe Deroose (CEO Acerta) and researcher Prof. Laura Nurski (KU Leuven)

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TESTIMONIAL CERA/BOERENBOND CHAIR IN COOPERATIVE ENTREPRENEURSHIP “The Cera/Boerenbond chair has been extended a third time. In this way the Cooperative Entrepreneurship Knowledge Centre is helping to make a difference amongst the many cooperatives looking to further professionalise their operations. We help create that difference through a growing education and training offering and with a research team that now numbers 14 researchers. Our efforts once again demonstrate the great importance of chairs: the resources of Cera and Boerenbond have played a major role in this story as powerful levers for increasing scale and impact.” Honorary Rector Luc Sels Chair holder

TESTIMONIAL ACERTA CHAIR AI AT WORK How can we use AI to make work more workable, meaningful and inclusive? The chair in ‘AI at Work’, donated by Acerta, seeks the answer. “A chair is a real win-win situation. You can combine your practical experience with academic knowledge. And certainly with KU Leuven, it is our second chair, we have seen that there is a real partnership. We have also jointly communicated these results to the market, to customers, at meetings and in content sessions, and that was actually a fantastic experience that added real value for Acerta, but also for KU Leuven.” Christophe Deroose CEO Acerta 14 I

Innovation manager Kristof Brijs, lab assistant Ian Van Meel and professor Jan Delcour, holding chips, cake and rice respectively. The research team receives funding from the University, the Fonds Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek - Vlaanderen (FWO) and through the chair Kellogg established at the University. © Rob Stevens t

kuleuven.be/endowed-chairs