Published on 25 November 2025
We are pleased to share highlights from the previous phase of our programme. Here, you will discover key facts about STEREO III, its achievements through figures, and—for each project—a downloadable information sheet for easy access.
The programme
The STEREO (Support to the Exploitation and Research in Earth Observation) III programme ran for nine years (2014–2022). Initially scheduled for eight years, it was extended due to the COVID-19 crisis, which affected several projects.
STEREO III did not start from scratch. It built on the legacy of previous Earth Observation research initiatives that began in the 1980s, continuing a long-standing national effort.
The main goal, aligned with earlier programmes, was to sustain a first-class, dynamic, and visible remote sensing community, supporting the Belgian space strategy.
This ambition was translated into three specific objectives:
- Facilitate high-quality research
- Increase the visibility of Belgian remote sensing expertise
- Support the development of a vibrant research community
The programme was structured around three key pillars:
Figure 1: The 3 pillars of the STEREO III programme.
From Proposal to Results: The Journey of a STEREO III Project
1. Proposal Submission
Applicants submitted their research proposals via a dedicated online platform, in response to either a fixed or open call.
2. Proposal Evaluation
Proposals underwent a two-phase evaluation organized by the STEREO team at BELSPO:
- Written review – Each proposal was evaluated by 3–4 domain experts.
- Oral defence – The highest-ranked proposals were invited to present and defend their research ideas before a panel of six remote sensing experts, followed by a Q&A session.
The final project selection was based on the combined results of both evaluations.
3. Contracting Phase
Once approved, the project contract was drafted and the project steering committee was set up.
4. Project Execution and Supervision
Researchers conducted their work while BELSPO ensured project oversight through:
- Scientific supervision (annual steering committee meetings)
- Administrative follow-up (progress reports)
- Financial monitoring
5. Promotion and Dissemination of Results
Project results were promoted by both BELSPO and the research teams through multiple channels: scientific publications, conferences, media coverage, social networks, websites, stakeholder workshops, and outreach activities targeting both experts and the general public.
Figure 2: Panel of remote sensing experts in charge of the evaluation of proposals submitted
STEREO III in numbers
Although Belgium is a relatively small country with a limited number of Earth Observation laboratories—and mostly smaller in scale compared to those in major countries such as the USA, China, France, or Germany—the programme successfully supported a wide and diverse research community. The figures speak for themselves:
📊 Programme Activity
- 57 research projects
- 38 dissemination & support projects
📄 Scientific Output
- 458+ peer-reviewed publications
- 34 open-access software codes
- 17 datasets
👩🔬 Belgian Participation
- 133 Belgian promotors
- From 58 research laboratories
- 94 were newcomers to STEREO
- 15 were first-time remote sensing data users
🌍 International Collaboration
- 56 foreign promotors
- From 16 countries
🎓 Human Capacity Building
- 41 PhD students (co)financed
- 275 additional researchers involved
A Downloadable Project Factsheet at Your Fingertips
You can access the list of STEREO III projects here
On each STEREO III project page, you’ll find a PDF button.
With a single click, you can download a comprehensive project factsheet containing all essential information in one document.
No need to revisit the website repeatedly — the project fiche is stored right on your computer or smartphone, ready whenever you need it.
Figure 3: How to access the full list of the STEREO III projects