The mobility instruments of the FNRS allow a researcher from the Wallonia-Brussels Federation, under certain conditions, to travel abroad (OUT mobility), or for foreign researchers to carry out stays of limited duration in the Wallonia-Brussels Federation (IN mobility).
Mobility - World
These F.R.S.-FNRS mobility instruments allow FWB researchers to do research and share knowledge throughout the world. The F.R.S.-FNRS also administers worldwide travel grants for the Fonds SofinaBoël and Wallonie Bruxelles International.
Stay abroad/Workshops or summer school (OUT)
A researcher who wants to go abroad, within or outside of Europe, to acquire new knowledge in research and new techniques in a laboratory or to facilitate an information mission, can request an allowance from the F.R.S.-FNRS for transport and living expenses.
- Persons concerned: researchers from the Wallonia-Brussels Federation attached to one of the eligible institutions (see Appendix A in the Regulation + eligibility conditions Articles 2 and 3 of the Regulation).
- Purpose: a researcher who wants to go abroad, for example to acquire new knowledge in a colleague’s laboratory, may receive financial assistance to cover the intended stay.
- Procedure: the application must be submitted 2 months before the date of a stay in Europe or 3 months before the date of a stay outside Europe using the form available online on the e-space platform, available at https://e-space.frs-fnrs.be/.
- Documents: regulations (only in FR) and terms of submission.
- Questions: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Scientific meeting abroad (OUT)
A researcher who wishes to go to a symposium, in Europe or outside Europe, and who presents a communication or a poster that has been accepted for a presentation by the organisers of the congress, can ask the F.R.S.-FNRS for an allowance for transport expenses.
- Persons concerned: researchers from the Wallonia-Brussels Federation attached to one of the eligible institutions (see Appendix A in the Regulation + eligibility conditions articles 5 and 6 of the Regulation).
- Purpose: to facilitate the researcher’s presence at meetings of a clearly scientific nature, including the presentation and discussion of contributions or original reports. The researcher may receive financial assistance for his/her trip to the congress venue (round trip).
- Procedure: the application must be submitted 2 months before the date of the beginning of the scientific meeting in Europe or 3 months before that of a scientific meeting outside Europe using the form available online on the e-space platform, available at https://e-space.frs-fnrs.be/.
- Documents: regulations (only in FR) and terms of submission.
- Questions: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Scientific Stay Grant (IN and OUT)
This grant is for a researcher who wishes to make a scientific IN stay (receiving a foreign researcher in one of the university institutions of the WBF) or OUT stay (of a researcher of the FWB abroad) within the framework of research work funded by the F.R.S.-FNRS or one of its Associated Funds, for a period of one to three months.
- Persons concerned:
- researchers from the Wallonia-Brussels Federation participating in a programme funded by the F.R.S.-FNRS or by one of its Associated Funds (OUT).
- Foreign researchers visiting a laboratory in the WBF under a programme funded by the F.R.S.-FNRS or by one of its Associated Funds (IN).
- Purpose:
- Under the Scientific Stay Grant (OUT), the researcher can receive financial aid for costs of transport and stay.
- Under the Scientific Stay Grant (IN), the visiting researcher can receive financial aid for costs of stay.
- Procedure: The promoter of the research agreement supported by the F.R.S.-FNRS or by its Associated Funds must submit the request by e-mail 2 months before the date of the beginning of the stay by means of the appropriate form.
- Documents: regulations (only in FR) and IN/OUT form
- Questions: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Scientific mission (IN and OUT)
Release from teaching obligations of a permanent WBF university researcher (OUT) or invitation of a foreign permanent researcher in an equivalent capacity to stay at a WBF university (IN).
- Persons concerned:
- Permanent holders of grants from the F.R.S.-FNRS (Research Associate, Senior Research Associate or Research Director) and also the first assistants and academic supervisors in a university of the WBF employed under an indefinite term contract,
- Academic personnel (in particular, Professor, Lecturer etc.) of a university of the WBF employed under an indefinite term contract,
- Foreign permanent researchers in an equivalent position, invited to stay at a WBF university.
- Purpose: This grant allows the researcher to free him/herself from all teaching obligations for a maximum, non-renewable period of 12 months, in order to devote him/herself full-time to research.
- Procedure: Applications must be sent to the Fonds de la Recherche Scientifique - FNRS exclusively by the Belgian academic authority concerned, using the appropriate form and by e-mail to the address This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. by Friday March 1, 2024 at the latest.
- Documents: regulations (only in FR)
- Questions: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
SofinaBoël Fellowship (OUT sauf USA)
These outgoing mobility grants are sponsored by the SofinaBoel Fund for Education and Talent via the King Baudouin Foundation. They aim to finance 6 or 12 month research stays abroad and are intended for PhD students affiliated to a Belgian university. The stay must take place during the PhD. All destinations are eligible except the USA. The amount of these grants is 1.650 €/month plus a flat rate of 1.000 € to cover travel expenses between Belgium and the destination country.
- Eligible researchers: doctoral students with a paid affiliation (100%) to a Belgian university who have obtained a Master's degree (MA or MSc) after November 1, 2020.
- Purpose: this instrument allows for a 6 or 12 month research stay abroad during the academic year 2025-2026.
- Eligible destinations: all destinations are eligible except the USA.
- Sustainability : The SofinaBoël Fund for Education and Talent attaches great importance to the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Candidates are asked to take these policies into account when planning their research.
- Procedure: the application form and had-hoc documents must be sent by email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. by 12 november 2024 at the latest.
- Documents: règlement, formulaire, FAQ.
- SofinaBoel Education and Talent Fund www.sofinaboel.be.
- List of laureates