Within the framework of this call, two instruments are available to finance publishing costs (including layout, correction, graphic design, translation, etc.) in paper and/or digital form : 

• Subsidy for scientific books
• Subsidy for scientific periodical

• Mini-guide Call 2026 FR only
• Regulations FR only

"The Wernaers Fund supports actions promoting research and the diffusion of scientific knowledge. For this purpose, the Fund will award in 2026 : 

• One or several The Wernaers Prize for Scientific Popularisation 
• Subventions to media that contribute to developing interest in scientific culture 

Prize for scientific popularisation

• These prizes, worth €6,500 each (for personal use), are awarded to individuals who have demonstrated creativity, innovation and relevance in communicating their knowledge.
• Candidates must be attached to a university institution or a long-distance higher education establishment in the Wallonia-Brussels Federation.
• More information on the eligibility criteria and the rules prohibiting cumulation is available in the regulations.

Subventions to media contributing to the development of interest in scientific culture

• These grants, worth a maximum of €15,000 each, contribute to the costs of producing, promoting, dispatching and updating media that help to develop interest in scientific culture.
• Granted for a maximum period of 3 years, they are intended to support different types of media.
• More information on the eligibility criteria and the rules prohibiting cumulation is available in the regulations.

Call timetable

• Call opening: 15 décembre 2025
• Deadline for the call: 2 March 2026
• Meeting of the Advisory Board (Jury): spring 2026
• Meeting of the Wernaers Fund Management Committee: spring 2026

Practical details

Three young scientists have been recognised for their groundbreaking research into rare diseases and conditions. The AstraZeneca Foundation Awards are presented by an independent jury, made up of the FNRS and the FWO.

Dr Robert Prior (VIB/KU Leuven) himself suffers from Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (he was diagnosed at the age of 15), a hereditary disease that causes muscle weakness and loss of sensation. Today, he is developing stem cell models to better understand the disease and accelerate future therapies. 

Professor Sarah Verhulst (Hearing Technology @WAVES/UGent) has designed anAI-driven hearing test that makes the very first signs of hearing damage visible, so that it can be prevented from getting worse more quickly.

Professor Robin Vos (UZ Leuven/KU Leuven) and his team have developed new methods for the early detection of chronic lung transplant rejection, enabling much more targeted treatment. 

Each year, an independent jury, made up of the National Fund for Scientific Research (FNRS) and the Fonds voor Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek (FWO), nominates three young winners for their innovative research. Each of them receives €25,000 to fund their further research.

See the press release...

The FRArt 2026 call is open on e-space.

• Mini-guide FRArt Call 2026
• Rules and Regulations 2026

The call Grants and Fellowships 2026 is open on e-space. The following instruments are concerned:

Postdoctoral researcher

• Postdoctoral Researcher - CR
• Postdoctoral Medical Doctor Applicant to an MSc - CSPD
• Postdoctoral Clinical Master Specialist - SPD
• Postdoctoral Clinical Master Specialist renewal – SPD-REN
• Clinical Researcher - CCL
• Clinical Researcher renewal – CCL-REN 
• Research Associate– CQ
• Senior Research Associate – MR
• Research Director – DR
• Ulysse Incentive Grant for Mobility in Scientific Research extension – MISU-PROL

Doctoral researcher

• Research Fellow - ASP
• Research Fellow renewal – ASP-REN
• Special Doctoral Grant - BSD
• Medical Doctor Applicant to an MSc and a Ph.D. - CSD
• Medical Doctor Applicant to an MSc and a Ph.D. renewal – CSD-REN
• Clinical Master Specialist Applicant to a Ph.D. - SD
• Clinical Master Specialist Applicant to a Ph.D. renewal – SD-REN
• Veterinary MD. Ph.D. Student - VETE-CCD
• Veterinary MD. Ph.D. Student renewal – VETE-CCD-REN