OVERVIEW | As a PhD candidate, there are various ways to obtain funding.
- AAP | You can be appointed as a university employee (assistant academic staff or AAP). As an AAP, you assist professors in your department with their teaching duties. For example, you give lectures, practicals, labs, seminars, etc. This takes up about 40% of your time. In addition, you prepare for a doctorate and work on your research (60%).
- Research Project | Sometimes there are research projects at the VUB that are looking for PhD candidates. There, too, you have the opportunity to secure an open position.
- Grants and fellowships | Discuss your options with your supervisor if you cannot find a position that matches your interests. You can apply for a grant from a funding institute (for curiosity-driven research) or, for example, apply for a fellowship for fundamental research (applied PhD) in cooperation with a Flemish company. (See your options below)
- Starting on your own | Finally, you can also start as a self-funded PhD candidate. This means that you will not receive any financial compensation for your research. In many cases, the research is then combined with a job outside the university.
Funding opportunities
FWO | PhD Fellowship strategic basic research
The FWO (Fonds Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek) offers competitive personal fellowships to support PhD research at Flemish universities. These fellowships provide long-term funding and are the key route for candidates who wish to develop and carry out an independent research project in collaboration with a VUB supervisor. FWO PhD fellowships are awarded based on scientific excellence, for a duration of four years, and cover the stipend of the researcher and come with a bench-fee.
Are you a VUB Master's student wishing to apply for an FWO PhD fellowship but facing financial​ or familial obstacles?
The Caroline Pauwels Writing Mandate offers paid support to help you prepare your application ​
FWO | PhD Fellowship fundamental research
With its fundamental research programme for aspiring researchers, the FWO aims to support early-stage researchers in their development into independent researchers by giving them the opportunity to conduct their own scientifically challenging and innovative research until they obtain a PhD.
Innoviris | Applied PhD
Bridging the gap between theory and practice? Innoviris Brussels offers PhD funding for research projects developed in partnership with a Brussels-based company, turning academic insights into real-world impact.
VLAIO | Baekeland Mandate
This program co-funds PhD research projects carried out in close collaboration between a Flemish company, a university, and a doctoral researcher. It aims to bridge academia and industry, fostering innovation with strong economic and societal relevance.
MSCA | Doctoral Networks
Marie Skłodowska-Curie Doctoral Networks (MSCA DN) funds doctoral programmes via international consortia of universities, research institutes, and industry or public institutions. Each network recruits PhD candidates for a 48-month training programme that combines excellent fundamental research with applied experience and transferable skills. These programmes often include secondments in industry and service sectors to enhance real-world impact and employability.
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Looking for an international PhD with applied training and networking?
BAEF Fellowships
The Belgian American Educational Foundation (BAEF) supports academic exchange between Belgium and the United States through a number of prestigious fellowship programs. For PhD candidates, BAEF offers one-year funding opportunities to either start a doctoral program in Belgium / U.S. or conduct part of their research at a Belgian / U.S. university. These fellowships are open to U.S./Belgian nationals across all disciplines. Explore the options below to see which program fits your research journey. ​
Are you a Belgian researcher who wants to pursue a PhD or conduct the research in the U.S.?
Are you U.S. citizen interested doing a PhD in Belgium?
BAEF Fellowship for PhD in Belgium
This Fellowship supports the first year of doctoral studies in Belgium. The further funding can be obtained within the host university
Are you already a PhD fellow in the U.S. and want to conduct a research in Belgium?
BAEF Fellowship for U.S. PhD Researchers in Belgium
This Fellowship offers a one‑year stipend to the U.S. citizens PhD candidates for conducting part of their doctoral research at a Belgian university
Get in touch with our RGO office to receive dedicated support throughout the application process.
Support
At VUB we provide comprehensive support for the applicants at any stage of their career. Meet our expert teams and apply for personalized assistance!
