# Junior and Senior Research Project

**Funder:** FWO
**Budget:** €50k–€145k per year per institution (staff & consumables); up to €150k equipment per project
**Duration:** 4 years (minimum 2 years)
**Consortium:** No
**Application:** Single stage: submission via FWO e-portal by main host institution, followed by external referee evaluation and rebuttal phase (10–21 September 2026)
**Frequency:** Annual
**Next round:** 2027-01
**Eligible countries:** BE
**Official call:** https://www.fwo.be/en/support-programmes/all-calls/senior-researchersresearch-teams/junior-and-senior-research-project/
**Last verified:** 20 June 2026

## Eligibility & scope

Fundamental curiosity-driven research in all disciplines; bottom-up, no imposed themes. Junior track: all (co-)supervisors ≤12 years post-PhD; senior track: at least one (co-)supervisor >12 years post-PhD. Research must be carried out at an eligible Flemish host institution. Non-Flemish partners may receive up to 10% of budget. WEAVE bilateral/multilateral collaboration possible.

## Summary

FWO Junior and Senior Research Projects fund fundamental, curiosity-driven research across all disciplines in Flanders for 2-4 years. The Junior track supports research teams where all supervisors are within 12 years post-PhD; the Senior track requires at least one supervisor beyond 12 years post-PhD. Budgets range from €50,000-€145,000 per year per institution (staff and consumables), with up to €150,000 available for equipment per project; international partners may receive up to 10% of the total budget.

## Who should apply

- Junior track: research groups where all supervisors are within 12 years of their PhD
- Senior track: groups with at least one supervisor more than 12 years post-PhD
- Researchers based at eligible Flemish institutions (non-Flemish partners permitted up to 10% of budget)
- Curiosity-driven, bottom-up research in any discipline

## Key dates

- Deadline was 1 April 2026 at 17:00 UTC; next call expected January 2027
- Single-stage submission via FWO e-portal, followed by external referee evaluation and rebuttal phase (September 2026)
- Project duration 2-4 years

## Tips for applicants

- Choose the correct track from the outset: Junior track requires all co-supervisors ≤12 years post-PhD, Senior track requires at least one >12 years post-PhD, mixed teams must apply Senior.
- Budget clarity matters: itemise staff, consumables, and equipment separately; equipment is capped at €150,000 per project regardless of duration.
- International collaborators are permitted but capped at 10% of the total budget, use WEAVE bilateral/multilateral schemes if deeper cross-border partnership is planned.

## Frequently asked questions

### What is the budget for FWO Junior and Senior Research Projects?

€50,000-€145,000 per year per institution for staff and consumables; equipment is funded separately up to €150,000 per project.

### Who is eligible for the FWO Junior track?

Research groups where all supervisors and co-supervisors are within 12 years of their PhD.

### Can non-Flemish researchers be part of an FWO Junior or Senior Research Project?

Yes; international partners may participate and receive up to 10% of the total project budget.

### How long can an FWO Junior or Senior Research Project last?

Between 2 and 4 years.

### Is the FWO Junior and Senior Research Projects call annual?

Yes; the call is annual, with the next round expected to open in January 2027.

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Source: [The Great Grantsby](https://grantsby.eu/grants/fwo-junior-and-senior-research-project-2026) — EU grant monitoring for academic researchers. Always verify details on the funder's website before applying.