FWO
Junior and Senior Research Project
Closed — deadline was 2026-04-01 at 17:00. Next call expected to open January 2027.
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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.
Details
| 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 |
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.
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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Summary generated by AI based on published grant information. Always verify details on the funder's website.
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