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The FNRS intends to help strengthen links between Vietnam and the FWB

The State visit to Vietnam was an opportunity for the FNRS, represented by its Secretary General Véronique Halloin, to sign a letter of intent with the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology (VAST): the two parties undertake to discuss the implementation of an agreement aimed at strengthening cooperation between Vietnam and the Fédération Wallonie-Bruxelles in the field of research. 

This agreement could lead to the funding of bilateral mobility projects aimed at supporting the mobility of Vietnamese and FWB researchers and the organisation of scientific activities.

Visite_Etat_Vietnam


Opening of the Scientific Awards AstraZeneca Foundation 2025 call

On the initiative of the AstraZeneca Foundation, the Fund for Scientific Research-FNRS and the Research Foundation - Flanders (FWO) will grant, in 2025, 3 Scientific Awards to researchers from postdoctoral level onwards who are affiliated to a Belgian university or a Belgian university hospital.

Main Features

  • Reward established investigators on the basis of their previous work, with a perspective of future development in the same field.  
  • Amount: 25.000 €/Award. Half of the amount will be attributed to the laureates for personnal use, the other half will be attributed to the laureates' laboratory.

Eligible topics

One Award will be granted in each of the following topics:

  • Innovative applications of AI to the benefit of patients' heath
    Research advancements in artificial intelligence that significantly enhance patient care, treatment outcomes, and healthcare delivery, including but not limited to innovative solutions that utilize AI to personalize medicine, optimize medical processes, or predict and manage health conditions.
     
  • New approaches of early detection and prevention of non-communicable diseases
    Research on strategies or methodologies that improve early diagnosis and prevention of non-communicable diseases. It encompasses innovative screening methods, risk assessment tools, and preventive interventions that can mitigate the impact of non-communicable diseases such as (but not limited to) diabetes, cancer, and cardiovascular disorders.
     
  • Harnessing stem cell models and organoids for disease discovery and therapeutics
    Research in the context of use of stem cell technologies and organoids to advance our understanding of diseases and develop novel treatments. Research that explores how these biological models can simulate human disease conditions, enabling discoveries in disease mechanisms and facilitating the development of effective therapies.

Eligible Applicants

  • Applicants should be active in the above mentioned fields of research, with both ongoing work related to the focus of the Award and future prospects.
  • Applicants must be individual scientist from postdoctoral level onwards who are affiliated to a Belgian university or a Belgian university hospital at the deadline of the call.
  • Applicants must have held a research position in Belgium for at least five years (in a consecutive or cumulated period). 
  • Applicants must have obtained their first PhD degree maximum 15 years before the date of the submission deadline (possibly extended in case of eligible career breaks).
  • Applicants can only apply to one AstraZeneca Award per call.

  • Applicants may not have received an Award for the work submitted with the same amount (or higher) in the last 3 years (at the deadline of the call).

  • Personnel of the AstraZeneca Foundation or affiliated to the AstraZeneca Foundation are not eligible for the Awards.

Call timeline

  • Opening of the call: April 16th, 2025
  • Deadline of the call: June 9th, 2025
  • Jury meeting: Fall 2025

How to apply?

Applications, written in English, must be sent electronically to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. on June 9th, 2024 at the latest.
 
The requested documents are :

  • The application form pertaining to the Award you wish to apply to (see below), duly completed and signed.
  • A detailled curriculum vitae.
  • A complete list of publications.

Regulations:

 Application forms:

 The list of the previous laureates is available here.

Questions about the Award should be adressed via email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Visuels RS et site - carré (5)


Results of the Call for Infrastructure & Large Equipment 2024

On 9 April 2025, the FNRS Board of Directors granted the following applications under the Infrastructure & Large Equipment Call 2024.

The aim of this new version of the Large Equipment Call (GEQ) is to promote and consolidate the state-of-the-art infrastructure in the Wallonia-Brussels Federation by financing the acquisition of major equipment, the establishment and development of research infrastructures and the upgrading of existing facilities.

Résultats_INFRA-GEQ2024EN


Opening of the WelCHANGE call

Funding of projects in the humanities and social sciences with potential societal impact

WelCHANGE FNRS is a funding programme for research projects

  1. carried out by a principal promoter in the humanities and social sciences,
    with potential societal impact.
  2. These projects, which may be single or multi-university, must be led by a principal promoter in the SHS, in possible collaboration with co-promoters in the SVS or SEN.

In practical terms, the WelCHANGE FNRS programme offers financial support over 4 years, including operating, personnel and equipment costs.

 

Applications must be submitted by 2pm on 28 May.

 

The relevant documents are available via the following link.

For any questions about the programme: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

For any technical questions about submitting an application: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

welchange_2025_EN


Opening of the 8th Generet Award for Rare Diseases call for applications

On the initiative of the Generet Fund, managed by the King Baudouin Foundation, the prestigious Generet Award will be granted in 2025, for the 8th time, to support a 4-year research project in the field of rare diseases in Belgium.

Main Features

Amount: 1.000.000 € over 4 years granted in two instalments of 500.000 € (the second being subject to the positive evaluation of a mid-term report).
 
Rare diseases are considered to be life threatening or chronic conditions which affect no more than 1 person out of 2.000. Rare cancers and rare adverse drug events research projects are not eligible for this call.

Application Procedure

Proposals will undergo a two-step application procedure encompassing a pre-proposal phase (open to all) and a full proposal phase (accessible to shortlisted applicants from the first stage).
 
Applicants applying to the pre-proposal phase must fill in a short pre-proposal form, provide a letter of intent of max. 3 pages focusing on the scientific proof of concept of the research project and attach a relevant core bibliography and short CV information

Eligable candidates

Candidates must be:
  • Internationally established investigators, with outstanding scientific achievements and multiple seminal contributions in the field of rare diseases.
  • Internationnaly established investigators, with outstanding scientific achievements and multiple seminal contributions in common diseases, who can demonstrate that their research will have a substantial added value for rare diseases and can accelerate research in this particular field.
​​Candidates must have a scientific seniority of min. PhD + 10 years (career breaks, such as maternity leave or long-time illness, not included).
Candidates must be affiliated to a Belgian University, a Belgian University Hospital or an eligible Research Instituteuntil December 31st, 2029 and not reach the retirement age limit during the project timeframe.
 
Former laureates cannot reapply to the Generet Award as Principal Investigator but can be partners in other applications (at the earliest 4 years after being laureate).

Eligible research project

The research project must be conducted in Belgium in the field of rare diseases.
The research project should aim at a better understanding of the processes underpinning rare diseases and translating fundamental discoveries into better prevention, diagnosis or treatment for patients. Research can encompass all stages from bench to bedside.

Eligible expenses

Eligible expenses encompass personnel costs, running costs and equipment. A max. of 10% overheads may be applicable (subject to negotiation and included in the Prize money).
 
Up to 30% of the Award's amount can be outsourced for supporting international or intranational expenses (personnel and running costs) including the private sector if they charge at cost price.

Call timeline 

  • Opening of the call: March 20, 2025
  • Pre-proposals deadline: May 12nd, 2025
  • First Panel meeting: End of June 2025
  • Invitation for full proposals: Following the first Panel meeting
  • Full proposals deadline: August 11th, 2025
  • Second Panel meeting: End of November 2025
  • Start of the research: January 1st, 2026

 How to apply ?

Pre-proposals, written in English, must be submitted via the online application system available on www.generetaward.be on May12nd, 2025 at the latest.

The complete regulations of the Generet Award 2025 are available here
The list of the previous laureates is available here.
 
Questions about the Award should be addressed via email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Submit a pre-proposal

Generet2024


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