FWO: open calls

For independent investigators ≤12 years post-PhD (PhD awarded no earlier than 14 Sep 2014, with possible extensions for career breaks). Topic: Infection and Immunity. Applicants must be affiliated to a Belgian university, university hospital, or eligible Belgian research institute until 30 June 2032. Eligible costs: personnel (excl. PI salary), running costs, equipment; no overhead.

Problem-oriented strategic basic research with economic or societal application prospects. Applicants must be based at Flemish research institutions (universities, university colleges, strategic research centres); max 20% budget to non-Flemish partners. Supervisors at Flemish universities require ZAP appointment; non-university applicants need equivalent R4-level role with doctoral degree. Advisory committee of stakeholders required (except spin-off projects). Proposals submitted in English via FWO e-portal.

For internationally recognised pioneer researchers who have built their career outside Belgium. Candidate must hold ≥80% appointment at a foreign institution and have been abroad ≥3 of the past 5 years (max 10% Belgium during that period). Must be nominated by a Flemish university; application must be written in English. Total programme budget: €21.8M.

Supports outstanding researchers who have built up a career outside Flanders. Provides start-up funding to develop a research group or research line at a Flemish university. Targets researchers based outside Flanders seeking to join the Flemish research establishment. Call currently open.

Transnational health research call under the ERA4HEALTH Horizon Europe cofund partnership. FWO funds the Flemish component of international consortia. Applicants must be affiliated with a Flemish research institution.

Strategic Basic Research focusing on innovative research that, if scientifically successful, creates prospects for economic or societal applications. Teams of leading researchers and partners at Flemish institutions. Call currently open.

Thematic SBO call for strategic basic research in the field of security and defence. Teams of leading researchers at Flemish institutions. Call currently open.

Transnational research funding across the raw materials value chain under the RAMP Horizon Europe cofund partnership, supporting the green and digital transition. FWO funds the Flemish component of international consortia.

FWO co-funds transnational personalised medicine research for Flemish researchers under EP PerMed. ~€350k per Flemish project (2 projects, 3 years). Applicants submit to the call secretariat; FWO selection based on transnational panel ranking. FO or SBO rules apply; SBO spin-off projects ineligible.

Open to researchers from Flemish universities for a research stay at the Netherlands-Flemish Institute in Cairo (NVIC). NVIC provides desk space and logistical support; in return the scholar gives a public lecture or teaches classes. Focus areas include Arabic & Islamic Studies, Egyptology, Archaeology, Middle East Studies, social sciences and humanities.

PhD fellowships co-funded by INBO (Research Institute for Nature and Forest) and FWO, focused on biodiversity, ecosystems and ecosystem services with policy relevance. Only applicants to regular FWO doctoral fellowship calls where INBO has agreed to act as additional host institute, and approved but unfunded by FWO, are eligible. Host must be a Flemish university collaborating with INBO.

FWO co-funds transnational One Health / antimicrobial resistance research for Flemish researchers. ~€350k per Flemish project (2 projects, 3 years). Applicants submit to the call secretariat; FWO selection based on transnational panel ranking. FO or SBO rules apply; SBO spin-off projects ineligible.

Bottom-up cross-European initiative (Science Europe/Weave) for excellent collaborative research across national/regional borders. FWO acts as partner agency; the lead application is submitted to another participating European funder. Applicants must be based at a Flemish research institution.

Fundamental research joint projects between Flemish institutions and Chinese partners (NSFC). Covers mathematical/physical, chemical, life, earth, engineering/material, information, management, and health sciences. Flemish PI must be based at an eligible Flemish host institution. Equipment funding up to €150k additional. Budget bounds reflect 3-year total for staff/consumables (€45k–€85k/year × 3).

FWO co-funds transnational sustainable food systems research for Flemish researchers under FutureFoodS. ~€350k per Flemish project (2 projects, 3 years). Applicants submit to the call secretariat; FWO selection based on transnational panel ranking. FO or SBO rules apply; SBO spin-off projects ineligible.

PhD fellowship for biomedical research on Parkinson's disease (fundamental or strategic basic research). Applicants must apply through the regular FWO PhD fellowship calls. Host institution must be in Flanders (Belgium). Includes bench fee and optional coaching trajectory funded by Demoucelle Parkinson Charity.

Supports two-year joint mobility projects exchanging researchers between Flanders and China in partnership with NSFC. Requires a joint application from a Flemish and a Chinese research group.

Open to research institutes from Flanders (FWO-funded subproject) within a transnational consortium. Covers waterborne contaminants & health risks, water quality monitoring, treatment/mitigation, and governance. FWO funds via fundamental (FO) or Strategic Basic Research (SBO) channels; valorisation is mandatory for SBO. Max 36 months; no extensions. PI must hold appointment covering full project duration.

For researchers with postdoctoral seniority of >12 years. Funds fundamental, curiosity-driven research at eligible Flemish host institutions. Non-Flemish partners may receive up to 10% of budget. Proposals submitted via FWO e-portal by the main host institution. 6% overhead awarded to host institution(s).

Free trial compute allocation (up to 500k core hours and 1000 GPU hours) for Flemish university/SOC/public knowledge institution researchers to test software and perform scalability benchmarks before a full Tier-1 Compute application. Apply by email to compute@vscentrum.be.

Open to researchers at Flemish universities, Flemish SOCs, and Flemish public knowledge institutions. Applicants request Tier-1 compute time on the Flemish Supercomputer Center (VSC) infrastructure. Proposals must be submitted via the FWO e-loket; host institution must be based in Flanders.

FWO co-funds transnational translational cancer research for Flemish researchers under Transcan-4. ~€350k per Flemish project (2 projects, 3 years). Applicants submit to the call secretariat; FWO selection based on transnational panel ranking. FO or SBO rules apply; SBO spin-off projects ineligible.

Available exclusively to FWO postdoctoral fellows (junior or senior) active in cancer research at Flemish institutions. Applications are submitted via the FWO postdoctoral fellowship call and evaluated by the Med4 Cancer Research expert panel. The two best-ranked candidates each receive €41,500 as an additional bench fee on top of the regular bench fee (€4,000–€10,000/year).

Free trial of Tier-1 Cloud resources for Flemish university/SOC/public knowledge institution researchers. Apply by email to cloud@vscentrum.be and local VSC coordinator. No set deadlines.

Joint compute allocation for consortia of at least 3 research groups from different Flemish public research institutions with a common research theme. Up to 10 M core hours and/or 40 k GPU hours for 12 months. No cost contribution required.

Free trial of Tier-1 Data resources for Flemish university/SOC/public knowledge institution researchers. Apply by email to data@vscentrum.be and local VSC coordinator. No set deadlines.

Doctoral fellowships for fundamental and/or strategic basic research hosted at Flanders Hydraulics (WL) as additional host institute. Only FWO call applications approved but unfunded, where WL agreed to act as additional host, are eligible. Research scope: hydraulic, nautical, sediment-related and hydrological topics. Flemish knowledge institutions; bench fee financed by WL.

FWO co-funds transnational research projects in brain health for Flemish researchers. ~€350k per Flemish project (2 projects, 3 years). Applicants submit to the call secretariat directly; FWO selection based on transnational panel ranking. FO or SBO rules apply; SBO spin-off projects ineligible.

FWO co-funds transnational health research projects for Flemish researchers under ERA4Health. ~€350k per Flemish project (2 projects, 3 years). Applicants submit to the call secretariat; FWO selection based on transnational panel ranking. FO or SBO rules apply; SBO spin-off projects ineligible.

FWO co-funds transnational pandemic preparedness research for Flemish researchers under BE READY. ~€350k per Flemish project (2 projects, 3 years). Applicants submit to the call secretariat; FWO selection based on transnational panel ranking. FO or SBO rules apply; SBO spin-off projects ineligible.

FWO co-funds transnational rare disease research for Flemish researchers under ERDERA. ~€350k per Flemish project (2 projects, 3 years). Applicants submit to the call secretariat; FWO selection based on transnational panel ranking. FO or SBO rules apply; SBO spin-off projects ineligible.

FWO co-funds transnational quantum technologies research for Flemish researchers under QUANTERA III. ~€350k per Flemish project (2 projects, 3 years). Applicants submit to the call secretariat; FWO selection based on transnational panel ranking. FO or SBO rules apply; SBO spin-off projects ineligible.

FWO co-funds transnational urban transitions research for Flemish researchers under DUT. ~€350k per Flemish project (2 projects, 3 years). Applicants submit to the call secretariat; FWO selection based on transnational panel ranking. FO or SBO rules apply; SBO spin-off projects ineligible.

FWO co-funds transnational biodiversity research for Flemish researchers under Biodiversa+. ~€350k per Flemish project (2 projects, 3 years). Applicants submit to the call secretariat; FWO selection based on transnational panel ranking. FO or SBO rules apply; SBO spin-off projects ineligible.

FWO co-funds transnational data-driven agriculture research for Flemish researchers under AgData. ~€350k per Flemish project (2 projects, 3 years). Applicants submit to the call secretariat; FWO selection based on transnational panel ranking. FO or SBO rules apply; SBO spin-off projects ineligible.

FWO co-funds transnational animal health and welfare research for Flemish researchers under EUP AH&W. ~€350k per Flemish project (2 projects, 3 years). Applicants submit to the call secretariat; FWO selection based on transnational panel ranking. FO or SBO rules apply; SBO spin-off projects ineligible.

For permanently employed persons not involved in scientific research who wish to complete a PhD in 1 year. Applicant must hold a Master's-equivalent degree from EEA/Switzerland, obtain temporary/unpaid leave from employer, and have no prior FWO fellowship. Host institution must be a university in the Flemish Community (or Evangelical Theological Faculty Leuven / Faculty of Protestant Theology Brussels). Proposals must be submitted in English via FWO e-portal.

FWO co-funds transnational water security research for Flemish researchers under Water4All. ~€350k per Flemish project (2 projects, 3 years). Applicants submit to the call secretariat; FWO selection based on transnational panel ranking. FO or SBO rules apply; SBO spin-off projects ineligible.

Patient-oriented cancer research improving quality of life of (ex-)cancer patients, conducted in co-creation with patients. Applicants must be based at an eligible Flemish host institution; non-Flemish partners may receive up to 10% of budget. Evaluated jointly by scientific experts and a patient committee (KOTK). Rebuttal to patient committee must be submitted in Dutch.

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.

Flemish researchers collaborate with Polish (NCN) partners under the Weave Lead Agency Principle. All consortium members (Flemish and non-Flemish) must be listed in the FWO administrative submission, not only supervisor-spokespersons. Flemish eligibility follows FWO junior/senior fundamental research project regulations. Projects starting January 2028 on Flemish side. Research security questionnaire required.

Flemish researchers collaborate with Swedish (Formas) partners. Formas funds bottom-up fundamental and need-driven research focused on Environment, Agricultural Sciences, and Spatial Planning — Swedish part must adhere to these focus areas. Project duration fixed at 4 years on Swedish side. Projects starting January 2028 on Flemish side. Flemish eligibility follows FWO junior/senior fundamental research project regulations.

One scholar per semester from a Flemish university may apply for a research stay at the NVIC in Cairo (3–12 weeks). NVIC provides logistical support and desk space; in return the scholar gives a public lecture or teaches classes. Applicants must be affiliated with a Flemish university (KU Leuven, Antwerp, Ghent are official partners; others may enquire).

Bench fee support for researchers at Flemish institutions taking sabbatical leave. Applicants must be affiliated with a Flemish research institution. Permanent (rolling) call with no fixed deadline.

Supports exchange of researchers between Flanders and South Korea (NRF) through two-year joint mobility projects. Applicants must be affiliated to a Flemish institution; bilateral collaboration with a South Korean partner required.

Supports researchers affiliated to a Flemish institution who wish to actively participate in an international scientific conference abroad. Travel requires positive advice from the employing research institution.

FWO co-funds joint calls within Horizon Europe co-funded partnerships. Flemish applicants must be based at Flemish research institutions and follow FWO FO or SBO project rules. Approx. €350k (incl. overheads) available per Flemish project, typically two projects of 3 years. Projects max 36 months; no automatic extensions. Specific partnership provisions apply per call.

Supports researchers affiliated to a Flemish institution who wish to participate in a course or workshop abroad. Travel requires positive advice from the employing research institution.

Joint 3-year research projects co-funded by FWO (Flanders) and FRQ (Fonds de recherche du Québec, Canada). Applicant must be based at a Flemish research institution; a partner team must be based in the Province of Québec.

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.