FWO: open calls

For independent investigators ≤12 years post-PhD (PhD awarded after 14 Sep 2014, extensions possible). 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. In association with Fonds Baillet Latour.

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 researchers affiliated to a Flemish institution who will be staying abroad for a longer period.

PhD and postdoctoral (junior/senior) fellowships for collection-based biodiversity and conservation research, co-hosted by Meise Botanic Garden. Eligible only for regular FWO fellowship applicants where Meise Botanic Garden has agreed to act as additional host and the application was approved by FWO but could not be financed through regular FWO funds. Fellowships (including bench fee) are financed by Meise Botanic Garden and subject to standard FWO regulations.

Fellowships awarded jointly by FWO and F.R.S.-FNRS, funded via the King Baudouin Foundation on behalf of the SofinaBoël Fund, for talented PhD students to undertake a research and/or training stay abroad.

Postdoctoral research fellowships for a six-month stay at the Academia Belgica in Rome.

Cofund partnership call addressing water-related challenges; Flemish applicants apply via FWO within a transnational consortium.

Supports outstanding researchers who built a career outside Flanders, providing start-up funding to develop a research group or line of research at a Flemish university.

Doctoral and postdoctoral fellowships co-funded by Flanders Hydraulics (WL) for research on hydraulic, nautical, sediment-related and hydrological topics. Only regular FWO fellowship applications where WL has agreed to act as additional host institute, approved by FWO but unfunded, are eligible. Applicants must be based at a Flemish host institution. Bench fee included; subject to standard FWO fellowship regulations.

Supports researchers affiliated to a Flemish institution who wish to spend a short period abroad to perform research in a non-Belgian organisation.

Strategic Basic Research projects thematic call focused on security and defence, funding medium- to large-scale research actions over four years.

The Strategic Basic Research (SBO) programme funds medium- to large-scale research actions over four years focusing on innovative research which, if scientifically successful, will create prospects for economic or societal applications.

Transnational research funding call across the raw materials value chain, supporting the green and digital transition; Flemish applicants apply via FWO within a transnational consortium.

Two-year joint mobility projects supporting the exchange of researchers between Flanders and Japan in partnership with JSPS. Each party funds its own researchers; a Japanese partner must participate.

Cofund partnership call for research accelerating urban transitions towards climate-neutral and climate-resilient futures; Flemish applicants apply via FWO within a transnational consortium.

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).

Bottom-up cross-European initiative supporting excellent collaborative fundamental research projects across national and regional borders; some sub-calls with specific partner countries/regions remain open while FWO acts as partner (not lead) organisation.

Supports researchers affiliated to a Flemish institution who wish to participate in a course or workshop abroad.

Research grants for a one- to three-month stay at the Academia Belgica in Rome.

PhD fellowship in fundamental or strategic basic research on biomedical research on Parkinson's disease, funded by the Demoucelle Parkinson Charity via FWO's regular PhD fellowship calls; includes bench fee and optional coaching trajectory.

One scholar per semester from a Flemish university (KU Leuven, Antwerp, Ghent, or others by arrangement) may apply for a research stay at the NVIC in Cairo (3–12 weeks). NVIC provides logistical support and desk space; the scholar must give a public lecture or teach classes at the end of the stay. Focus areas: Arabic/Islamic Studies, Egyptology, Archaeology, Middle East Studies, social sciences and humanities.

Additional bench fee (on top of the regular €4,000–€10,000/year FWO bench fee) for FWO postdoctoral fellows active in cancer research, funded by the King Baudouin Foundation's Fund Suzanne Duchesne. Only the two best-ranked candidates in the Med4 Cancer Research panel receive €25,000 each; applicants must add a justification paragraph to the 'Bench fee' section of their postdoc fellowship application.

Funds integrated joint fundamental research projects (all disciplines) between Flemish researchers at eligible Flemish host institutions and partners at FAPESP-eligible organisations in the State of São Paulo, Brazil. Staff, consumables (€45k–€85k/year) and equipment (up to €150k total) can be financed. Brazilian researchers must be affiliated with a FAPESP-eligible organisation in São Paulo. Each PI may act as supervisor(-spokesperson) or co-supervisor only once per call.

Permanent call for foreign researchers affiliated to a non-Belgian institution to apply for a grant for a scientific stay in Flanders.

Supports researchers affiliated to a Flemish institution who wish to actively participate in an international scientific conference abroad.