📺 Find out more about his and TraceoLab's work in a recent episode of Z-Science! ➡ https://bit.ly/3Gfex4C 

🏆 This award is given to her for her pioneering analysis of prehistoric stone tools. For years, the FNRS Senior Research Fellow has worked to understand human life through the traces preserved on these tools.

⛏ Her research opens the door to the mysterious world of 250,000 years ago and demonstrates that the Neanderthal was far more resourceful than previously thought. What's more, it seems he may not have been all that different from early modern humans.

In her research laboratory, TraceoLab ULiege, Veerle Rots has developed the largest collection of coins in the world and has also set up a solid analytical framework. This detailed analytical model is internationally recognized and is used by many young scientists.

💬 "It is a very great honor to win this prestigious Science Award and to be recognized for my work. It is by far the most important recognition you can get in Belgium as a researcher. To receive it as an archaeologist and prehistorian is a very special step in my career. There are also plans to extend this research to even more diverse materials and even more archaeological sites," said Veerle Rots.

(c) Danny Gys - FNRS

The FNRS and the FWO will grant in 2022 the Scientific Awards AstraZeneca Foundation which reward established investigators in 3 different topics in Life & Health Sciences.

Scientific Awards AstraZeneca Foundation

• These 3 Awards are granted on the initiative of the AstraZeneca Foundation.
• Amount : 25.000 €/Award. Half of the amount is allocated personally to the laureate, the other half is allocated to the laureate's laboratory. ​
• Reward established investigators on the basis of their previous work, with a perspective of future development in the same field.

Eligible topics

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

• Disruptive approaches exploiting cellular genetic defects in cancer.
• Innovative approaches to promote prevention in public health and clinical care.
• Psycho-social vulnerability during the pandemic.

Eligibility criteria ​

• Candidates should be active in the above mentioned fields of research, with both ongoing work related to the focus of the Awards and future prospects.
• The Awards can only be given to individual scientists from postdoctoral level onwards who are affiliated to a Belgian university or university hospital.
• Candidates must have been doing research in Belgium in a biomedical context for at least five consecutive years prior to the submission deadline.
• Candidates must have obtained their PhD degree maximum 15 years before the date of the submission deadline (extended in case of eligible career breaks).
• Personnel of the AstraZeneca Foundation or affiliated to the AstraZeneca Foundation are not eligible for the Awards.
• Candidates may not have received an Award for the work submitted with the same amount (or higher) in the last 3 years (prior to the deadline of the call). Candidates can only apply to one AstraZeneca Award.

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 July 4, 2022 at the latest.

The requested documents are :

• The application form pertaining to the Award you wish to apply to (see below)
• A detailled scientific curriculum vitae
• A list of publications

• Cellular genetic defects in cancer Award
• Prevention in public health and clinical care Award
• Psycho-social vulnerability during the pandemic Award

Results of the 2021 Welbio-FRFS (FNRS) call: more than €13 million for 23 new research projects in Life Sciences : Selected applications

The list of grants presented to you is subject to the approval of the Government Commissioner. This reservation will be lifted on May 2, 2022 and the mailings will be sent out that same day.

On the initiative of the Baillet Latour Fund, the prestigious Baillet Latour Biomedical Award will be awarded in 2023 to independent investigators of any nationality in the early phase of their career to conduct biomedical research in Belgium and to consolidate their independent research team and program. 

Baillet Latour Biomedical Award 2023

• Topic of the call: "Neurosciences".
• Amount: 1.000.000 € over 5 years.​​

The research project

• The research project must be conducted in Belgium and pertain to basic, translational or clinical biomedical research.

Eligible expenses 

• Eligible expenses encompass personnel costs (excluding the salary of the PI), running costs and equipment. Overhead costs are not eligible. 

Eligible candidates

• ​Applicants must hold a PhD degree awarded no more than 12 years prior to the deadline for applications i.e. June 30^th 2010 (possibly extended in case of eligible career breaks).
• Applicants must be affiliated to a Belgian University, a Belgian University Hospital or an eligible Belgian Research Institute (see regulations).
• Applicants must be affiliated to their Institution until June 30^th, 2028.​​

How to apply?

More info...