The Wallonia-Brussels Federation has established and recognises 21 doctoral schools with the FNRS, one per field of study or set of fields of study. Their mission is to receive, coordinate, promote existing thematic doctoral schools and encourage the creation of new ones.
One thematic doctoral school comes under one or more FNRS doctoral schools, and it may be that subject matter coincides. Therefore, the development of inter-university, interdisciplinary and international thematic doctoral schools is encouraged. Each thematic doctoral school is placed under the responsibility of a Scientific Committee.
The creation of new thematic doctoral schools depends on the F.R.S.-FNRS Doctoral School Commission. A school is created for a period of 5 years, after which it is re-evaluated.
Procedure for the creation of a thematic doctoral school
- constitution of the canditature file by the partner teams, and appointment of a Spokesperson
- opinion of the Research Council(s) concerned and, in the case of collaboration of research institutions external to the Wallonia-Brussels Federation, with the agreement of their parent bodies
- transmission of the file and the opinion to the F.R.S.-FNRS by the Rector(s) concerned
- opinion of the Scientific Council(s) of the principal doctoral school(s)
The proposed TDS creation projects are examined by the F.R.S.-FNRS Commission of Doctoral Schools, which requests the opinion of the Scientific Council of the principal doctoral school(s) concerned. It may also seek the opinion of the competent FNRS Scientific Committee(s), as well as the opinion of any other expert.
The recognition of a thematic school within one or more FNRS doctoral schools is granted for 5 years. During the fifth year, a report on the activities and the results of the five-year period is prepared for the F.R.S.-FNRS. It will be attached to the request for renewal, if applicable, which must specify and justify any modifications that may be proposed by the scientific committee of the thematic doctoral school.