The mission of the F.R.S.-FNRS is to promote free scientific (fundamental) research in the Wallonia-Brussels Federation by attributing grants to researchers and institutions (mainly WBF universities). To fulfil this mission, the F.R.S.-FNRS has set up its own financial instruments that are the subject of calls for proposals at different times of the year. Allocation of grants is conditional on a peer review of the quality of the proposal and is based on scientific excellence.
The F.R.S.-FNRS employs over 2,000 researchers at different stages in their careers.
This covers:
- either grants or fixed term contracts, for doctoral or postdoctoral researchers,
- or permanent positions for confirmed researchers (Research Associates, Senior Research Associates and Research Directors).
These researchers carry out their activities in all areas of science, within French-speaking universities that make their infrastructures available to them and integrate them into their academic environment. Other tools also make it possible to provide researchers conducting a project of excellence with scientific and technical personnel, equipment and means of operation.
Postdoctoral researcher - CR
The CR fellowship is for a period of 3 years. Postdoctoral researchers may use the 3 years of their fellowship for a period of 6 years if external funding is found to carry out a postdoc outside the WBF.
Post-doctorate Clinical Master Specialists - SPD, Clinical Researcher - CCL
Le mandat mi-temps de SPD est réservée à des médecins cliniciens spécialistes agréés postdoctorants qui souhaitent se consacrer à la recherche fondamentale tout en assurant la continuité d’une activité hospitalière à mi-temps. Il se compose d’une période probatoire de 6 ans, scindée en trois mandats d’une durée de 2 ans, suivie de mandats d’une durée de 4 ans, renouvelables sans limite. À partir du 1er renouvellement d’une durée de 4 ans, l’intitulé du mandat devient chercheur clinicien (CCL).
Télévie postdoctoral researcher
F.R.S.-FNRS – Télévie research assistant
The F.R.S.-FNRS - Télévie research assistant is part of the category of postdoctoral scientific personnel requested by a promoter of a Télévie funding application.
Short-term postdoctoral researcher - CTP
The CTP has a maximum duration of 3 years and is part of the category of postdoctoral scientific personnel requested by a promoter of a Télévie funding application.
Promoters invite to their laboratory a researcher who holds the academic degree of doctor obtained after defence of a thesis, at the latest on the date of his engagement, who is in a situation of international scientific mobility. A researcher Is considered to be in a “situation of international mobility” if he has not resided or exercised his main activity (employment, studies etc.) in Belgium for more than 24 months in the last 3 years immediately preceding the first period of his postdoctoral stay.
Permanent researcher
A senior research fellowship enables a researcher to devote him/herself to research in a university within the WBF. This fellowship is for an indeterminate period and has 3 levels:
- the Research associate fellowship (CQ),
- the Senior research associate fellowship (MR), which is a promotion of the CQ fellowship based on merit,
- the Research director fellowship (DR), which is a promotion of the MR fellowship based on merit.
Research associate - CQ
The CQ fellowship allows a senior researcher to pursue his/her research independently.
- Rules & Guides (dans le cadre des appels à candidatures)
- Documents règlementaires et informations utiles à l’usage des Chercheurs qualifiés FNRS (mandataires en poste)
Senior research associate - MR
CQ fellowship holders may apply for promotion to the MR title from the eighth academic year following their appointment, provided that during these years they have been exercising a fundamental research activity.
Research director - DR
MR fellowship holders who are effectively exercising their research fellowship may apply for promotion to the title of DR from the beginning of the 4th year of the MR mandate.
Installation in the Wallonia-Brussels Federation
ULYSSE Incentive Grant for Mobility in Scientific Research - MISU
The objective of the MISU funding is to encourage highly qualified Belgian and foreign researchers who are currently pursuing a scientific career abroad to come and develop it at a WBF university.
At the time of application, the MISU candidate must have the ability to lead a team, have received international scientific recognition and have resided abroad continuously for at least five years.
Under the MISU:
- the eligible costs are of 3 types: operation, equipment and personnel;
- the categories of personnel that can be solicited are: PhD student, postdoctoral scientist, short-term postdoctoral researcher and technician.
The MISU is granted for a maximum duration of three years (2 years + possible extension of 1 year) and makes it possible to request maximum average annual funding of € 200,000.