# VITO-FWO Fellowships

**Funder:** FWO
**Consortium:** No
**Frequency:** Annual
**Eligible countries:** BE
**Official call:** https://www.fwo.be/en/support-programmes/phd-fellowships/vito-fwo-fellowships/
**Last verified:** 20 June 2026

## Eligibility & scope

PhD and postdoctoral (junior/senior) fellowships co-funded by VITO for research in cleantech/sustainable development (energy, materials, chemistry, health, land use). Open only to applicants who applied to a regular FWO fellowship call, were approved but unfunded, and had VITO as an agreed additional host institute. Host must be a Flemish university; VITO acts as co-host.

## Summary

VITO-FWO Fellowships co-fund PhD and postdoctoral researchers approved but unfunded in regular FWO fellowship calls, provided VITO serves as an agreed co-host institute. The call targets cleantech and sustainable development research, energy, materials, chemistry, health, and land use, and is open only to researchers based at Flemish universities with VITO as a co-hosting partner. This is a second-chance pathway within the FWO ecosystem, recurring annually alongside the main FWO doctoral and postdoctoral fellowship rounds.

## Who should apply

- PhD and postdoctoral researchers (junior or senior) approved but unfunded in a regular FWO fellowship call
- Applicants with VITO designated as an agreed co-host institute before the FWO call
- Researchers based at a Flemish university
- Projects in cleantech and sustainable development: energy, materials, chemistry, health, or land use

## Key dates

- Applicants must first apply to a regular FWO doctoral or postdoctoral fellowship call and receive approval but no funding
- Fellowship duration depends on the original FWO call tier (PhD or postdoctoral)

## Tips for applicants

- Plan ahead: VITO co-hosting must be arranged and agreed *before* you submit to the FWO main call; retroactive co-host agreements do not qualify.
- This is a second-chance fund, prioritise landing a positive FWO review first; VITO co-funding follows approval, not application.
- Ensure your research scope aligns with VITO's cleantech and sustainability remit (energy, materials, chemistry, health, land use); misalignment will disqualify even approved FWO candidates.

## Frequently asked questions

### What is the VITO-FWO Fellowship?

It is co-funding for researchers who were approved but not funded in a regular FWO fellowship call and who have VITO as an agreed co-host. VITO steps in to fund selected approved-but-unfunded candidates in cleantech and sustainable development research.

### Who is eligible for VITO-FWO Fellowships?

PhD and postdoctoral researchers (junior or senior) based at a Flemish university, with VITO as an agreed co-host before applying to the FWO main call, working in cleantech, energy, materials, chemistry, health, or land use.

### Do I apply separately for VITO-FWO Fellowships?

No, you apply to the regular FWO doctoral or postdoctoral fellowship call. If approved but unfunded and you have VITO as a co-host, you may then be considered for VITO co-funding.

### Must VITO be a co-host before I apply to FWO?

Yes, VITO must be an agreed co-host institute at the time you submit your FWO application; the co-hosting arrangement cannot be added after the FWO deadline.

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