What?

REI is a travel grant for students enrolled at a Flemish university or graduate school who undertake an individual, curriculum-embedded mobility in an international partner country within the framework of International Equitable Cooperation (IEC).

The mobility is part of an approved study component, such as an internship, thesis, or research-based assignment, and is carried out in collaboration with an international partner institution or organisation.

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When and where?

REI scholarships are awarded for mobility periods of at least four full weeks (28 consecutive days) in one of the Global Minds partner countries in Africa, Latin America, or Asia.

Applications can be submitted during the current academic year and before the deadline of the final application round. Selections are made in the month following each application deadline.

Africa

Benin     Burundi       Cameroon
DR Congo     Ethiopia       Kenya
Morocco     Mozambique       Uganda
Senegal     South Africa       Tanzania

Asia

Indonesia     Palestinian Territories
Philippines     Vietnam

 

Latin America

Bolivia     Colombia     Cuba
Ecuador     Nicaragua     Peru

 

Why?

An REI mobility allows you to engage in sustainable cooperation while strengthening your academic and personal development. Through this experience, you can:

  • Apply academic knowledge in an international context: Link theory to practice by working or conducting research in collaboration with local partners, while engaging with different perspectives, practices, and forms of expertise.
  • Develop critical global citizenship: Live and learn in a different context, gain insight into diverse cultural, social, and institutional settings, and reflect on global interdependencies as well as your own positionality.
  • Strengthen your future career profile: International experience fosters skills highly valued by employers, such as intercultural competence, adaptability, initiative, and an open and critical mindset.
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Support 

During your mobility, you will collaborate with a local host organisation (such as a university, hospital, NGO, or other relevant institution).

You will be supported by:

  • a VUB supervisor, who guides the academic content and preparation of your mobility; and
  • a local supervisor, who provides on-site guidance and support.

As you will be living, studying, and/or working in an unfamiliar environment with different languages and customs, this dual supervision structure ensures academic quality, safety, and a positive learning experience.

Criteria

To obtain an REI scholarship, you must meet a number of eligibility criteria. If you have questions about the requirements listed below, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Eligibility criteria 

In the academic year in which you plan your mobility, you must meet all of the following conditions:

  • You are registered with a diploma contract at Vrije Universiteit Brussel and enrolled in one of the following programmes:
    bachelor, master, advanced master, specific teacher education, or transition programme.
  • Your destination is a country listed on the Global Minds partner country list.
  • The mobility is part of an approved curricular component, such as an internship or thesis.
  • You have not previously received a VLIRUOS or Universitas scholarship.
  • You are not an incoming exchange student.
  • You are not enrolled as a PhD student.
  • You have the support of both a VUB supervisor and a local supervisor in the host country, each with relevant expertise in your field of study.
  • The mobility takes place in academic year 2025–2026, between 1 September 2025 and 31 August 2026, or
    starts in summer 2025 with an end date on or after 1 September 2025.
  • The mobility takes place in academic year 2026–2027, between 1 September 2026 and 31 August 2027.
  • Your stay lasts at least four full weeks (28 consecutive days). There is no maximum duration.
  • The REI scholarship cannot be combined with other VUB-managed scholarships for non-EU mobility (such as ASEM WPP or the Generic Scholarship).

PROCEDURE

Application and deadlines

You can apply for a REI Travel Grant through the SOP Mobility form: Online Application for Outgoing Students.

This form can be submitted anytime. Your application will be handled at the following deadlines:

  • For mobilities taking place in AY 25/26 between 1 September 2025 and 31 August 2026
    • 31 March 2026
  • For mobilities taking place in AY 26/27 between 1 September 2026 and 31 August 2027
    • 31 March 2026
    • 05 May 2026
    • 30 October 2026
    • 31 March 2027

Selection 

The programme coordinators will run an eligibility check after submission through SOP Mobility. The selection committee of the Advisory Body for International Equitable Cooperation (BAEIS) will review the applications. The Council for International Policy (RIB) will confirm the selection, after which the international equitable cooperation team of IRMO will communicate the results to the applicants. Students who have not been selected will receive feedback.

Preparation

You must follow the training organised by UCOS before departure.

Scholarship payment 

The first payment (70% of the grant) will be made before departure and upon the signing of a Grant Agreement.

The final payment (remaining 30%) will only be made if the student submits the final report correctly and when they have completed the full training cycle. The final report should be submitted through the SOP Mobility Online tool within one month after your return. A template will be provided after selection.

  • The scholarship amount is 1500 euros.
  • If you receive the Flemish Study Allowance from the Ministry for Education and Training, the scholarship amount is increased to 1750 euros. You are responsible for uploading proof of your scholarship in the SOP mobility tool.

Extra information

We advise you to register with the government website Travellers Online.

The Institute for Tropical Medicine offers medical advice, information about your destination and the necessary vaccinations. For more information, please consult their travel medicine website.

Please register your travel log in the SOP Mobility tool before departure. This is different from your REI application. Please consult your faculty secretariat.

You must follow the VUB Travel Policy.

CONTACT 

Should you have any other questions, don't hesitate to contact us!