PhD fellowship

Objective
The PhD Fellowship is the most important funding channel to prepare young and promising
researchers to complete their PhD. For the funding of a limited number of fellowships, the
FWO collaborates with: SCK•CEN, L'Oreal-Unesco and VITO. The PhD research must be
fundamental in nature.

Features
 Period: 2 years, renewable once
 Net scholarship amount: minimum € 2.015,51
 Fixed bench fee: €3,720/year
 Success rate 2017: 21,31%

Profile and conditions

 You have a master degree from one of the countries of the EU or the EER or
Switzerland.
 If, on October 1, you are older than 31 years, you must have obtained this degree no
longer than 5 years ago (see regulations for details).
 You have not previously received an FWO fellowship (not even in part).
 You can apply maximum two times for the same fellowship.
 On 1 October you have three years scientific seniority at most.
 You agree with the Research Integrity Clause

Transitional measure: in application year 2019, applications can still be made under the
old seniority rules if it is not the first application and the candidate has not yet
exhausted the number of applications allowed under the old regulations.

The following scheme gives an overview of the rules that apply depending on the year in
which you submit(ted) (2017, 2018 or 2019).

Procedure
 You contact a supervisor affiliated to a Flemish university
 The supervisor undertakes to properly coach and guide you as doctorandus.
 The supervisor is asked by the FWO to write a letter of recommendation.
 You complete your application online
 The applications are submitted to the FWO Expertpanels.
 The Expertpanels compile a ranking.
 The Board of Trustees decides on the appointment.
 You can ask for feedback on the decision.