FWO Flemish Research Fund Fellowships Belgium
Research Foundation Flanders offers fellowships, mobility projects, and grants for individual researchers and research teams to support scientific excellence in Belgium. Programs fund PhD and postdoctoral researchers through bottom-up peer review across multiple disciplines.
Quick Facts
Status
Funding
Fully FundedDeadline
Varies by specific call (e.g., Mobility projects Japan deadline is September 3, 2026; RAMP pre-proposal deadline is September 22, 2026)
Country
BelgiumAbout the FWO Flemish Research Fund Fellowships Belgium
The Research Foundation Flanders (FWO) is the primary funding organization supporting individual researchers and research teams in Flanders, Belgium. Its core mission is to stimulate excellent scientific research with economic and societal impact by providing personal fellowships, project funding, and mobility grants.
FWO funding operates primarily on a bottom-up principle, allowing researchers to determine their own research subjects across humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences. Applications are evaluated through rigorous peer review by FWO expert panels and review colleges composed of international and domestic specialists.
Programs include individual PhD and postdoctoral fellowships, strategic basic research (SBO), fundamental research projects, and international mobility partnerships. The foundation maintains strong cooperative agreements with international partners such as the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) and European cofund partnerships like RAMP.
Selected beneficiaries receive comprehensive financial backing that covers travel expenses, flat-rate daily allowances, and research costs. FWO also enforces a sustainable travel policy and provides mandatory guidance on research security, ethical standards, and administrative reporting for all awarded grants.
Eligible Levels
Eligible Fields
Why Choose This Scholarship?
Prestigious backing from the primary research funding body in Flanders supporting world-class scientific inquiry
Bottom-up research approach allowing applicants to define their own scientific topics and methodologies
Comprehensive financial support covering living allowances, travel expenses, and insurance
Opportunities for international cooperation through established bilateral agreements with global partners like JSPS
Transparent peer review evaluation system conducted by leading international experts in each scientific discipline
What the Scholarship Covers
Studying in Belgium
FWO fellowships and grants are hosted within the Flemish Community of Belgium, with specific institutional affiliation requirements tied to Flemish universities, research institutes, or university hospitals.
Eligibility Requirements
6 requirements
Documents Checklist
7 documents required
How to Apply - Step by Step
Register a profile on the FWO E-portal at least 24 hours before submission to obtain login credentials
Prepare the application materials, including the specific FWO CV template and research proposal
Submit the complete application digitally through the FWO e-loket before the specified deadline
Obtain formal institutional consent from the applicant's Flemish host organization through the FWO tool
Undergo peer review evaluation by the relevant FWO expert panel or international cross-domain panel
Await joint funding decision and formal award notification from the FWO Board of Directors
Application Timeline
Varies by program (e.g., June for JSPS, June for RAMP)
Call Opening
Applications open on the FWO e-loket
Varies by program (e.g., September 2026)
Application Deadline
Final submission required via FWO e-portal before 15:00 CEST or specified times
3 to 4 months following deadline
Evaluation Period
Peer review assessment by FWO expert panels and partner agencies
December for select mobility and fellowship calls
Announcement of Results
Formal decisions issued by the FWO Board of Directors
Typically April 1 of the following year
Project Start Date
Commencement of approved fellowships or mobility projects
Insider Tips & Pro Tips
Start your online profile registration on the FWO E-portal well in advance, as credentials can take up to 24 hours to activate
Write your research proposal for a wide scientific audience since panel evaluations are often conducted by broad cross-domain panels
Contact the FWO administration at least one week prior to the deadline to verify eligibility requirements for your specific call
Ensure all travel bookings are made exclusively through authorized agencies like Uniglobe South West Travel or Omnia Travel to guarantee reimbursement
Complete the research security tab accurately and consult your host institution immediately if your topic requires a security review
Keep all original receipts and proofs of payment for expenses exceeding 500 EUR during any funded stay abroad
Important Links & Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questions - click any to expand
Applicants must generally hold an appointment of at least 50% at an eligible institution in Flanders, such as a Flemish university, federal or Flemish scientific institute, or an academic hospital.
All air and train tickets must be booked through FWO authorized travel agencies, namely Uniglobe South West Travel and Omnia Travel, using the assigned FWO file number.
Grants provide a flat-rate daily living allowance of 66 EUR, up to a maximum of 1,650 EUR per month, alongside reimbursement for eligible travel costs and automatic AIG travel insurance.
Applications undergo peer review by expert panels and review colleges composed of top international and domestic researchers selected by the FWO based on scientific excellence.
Check the Official Website
This scholarship typically opens around Varies by specific call. Confirm the current cycle and deadline on the official portal.
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