Research Fellowships

Make your choice:

Master research
Doctoral research
Post-Doctoral research
How to apply

Research Fellowships for

Master’s level research in the US during 2025-2026.

 

The Fellowships are outright non-renewable grants of $35,000 for 12 months.

In addition, the Foundation pays for coverage of health insurance on its own insurance policy.

Fellowships must start between  July 1, 2025 and September 30, 2025 and Fellows are expected to stay for a period of 12 months in the US.

Applicants should have completed by July 1, 2025 no more than 1 year of their Master’s program.

Eligibility requirements:

  1. Hold the Belgian nationality;
  2. Hold a Bachelor’s degree at the time of activation of the Fellowship;
  3. Have an outstanding academic record;
  4. Have a good command of the English language.

 

Deadline for application:

Before October 31, 2024 for research starting in the US between July 1 and September 30, 2025.

If you are interested to apply, please fill out the eligibility form:

Apply to BAEF

Research Fellowships for

Doctoral research in the US during 2025-2026.

 

The fellowships are outright non-renewable grants of $35,000 for doctoral fellows

In addition, the Foundation pays for coverage of health insurance on its own insurance policy.

Fellowships must start between  July 1, 2025 and December 31, 2025 and Fellows are expected to stay for a period of 12 months in the US.

Doctoral applicants should have completed by July 1, 2025 no more than 2 years of their PhD program.

Eligibility requirements:

  1. Hold the Belgian nationality;
  2. Be enrolled in a PhD or equivalent doctoral degree program at a Belgian university
  3. Have an outstanding academic record;
  4. Have a good command of the English language.

 

Deadline for Application:

Before October 31, 2024 for research starting in the US between July 1 and December 31, 2025.

If you are interested to apply, please fill out the eligibility form:

Apply to BAEF

Research Fellowships for

Post-doctoral Research in the US during 2025-2026.

 

The fellowships are outright non-renewable grants of $55,000 for post-doctoral fellows.

In addition, the Foundation pays for coverage of health insurance on its own insurance policy.

Fellowships must start between July 1, 2025 and December 31, 2025 and Fellows are expected to stay for a period of 12 months in the US.

Post-doctoral (post-PhD) applicants should by July 1, 2025 have no more than 2 years since obtaining their PhD degree.

Post-doctoral (post MD or post DVM) applicants should by July 1, 2025 have no more than 2 years of postdoctoral research experience( not including their years of clinical specialty training).

Eligibility requirements:

  1. Hold the Belgian nationality;
  2. Hold a PhD degree or equivalent doctoral degree from a Belgian university at the time of activation of the Fellowship;
  3. Have an outstanding academic record;
  4. Have a good command of the English language.

 

Deadline for Application:

Before October 31, 2024 for research starting in the US between July 1 and December 31, 2025.

If you are interested to apply, please fill out the eligibility form:

Apply to BAEF

BAEF’s research Fellowships are available in any field of research at various academic levels:

  • Master level research
  • Doctor research
  • Post-Doctoral research

Please refer to the various types of research Fellowships by clicking to the appropriate tab on the left. If you are interested to apply, please fill out the pre-eligibility form at the bottom of each announcement.

 

Application process:

 

As a candidate to a BAEF Fellowship for research, you will need to start the process about one year before your research stay in the US.

There are 3 simultaneous actions to undertake:

  • Identify the most relevant high-quality research unit(s) in your area of research at a US university or institution and request an official invitation letter for a period of 12 months;
  • Apply to the BAEF (Deadline: October 31);
  • Look for additional financial support (Fulbright, Fernand Lazard Foundation, FNRS-FRS, FWO, Bank loans, etc.).

 

How to apply to BAEF:

 

The BAEF application process for research Fellowships is organized as follows:

 

1. Fill out the eligibility form online.

Mid-July – end of October

The eligibility form is available online. BAEF will ensure that you meet the requirements for the BAEF Fellowship.

If eligible, you will receive a link to your online application.

 

2. Complete the application file online.

Deadline October 31

Your application file will include:

  1. An autobiographical essay (no more than one page)
  2. A carefully prepared statement covering the following:
    1. A plan of the research project you propose to undertake. (no more than 2 pages and readable for a non-expert in your research field).
    2. The reasons why you wish to pursue research in the U.S.
    3. The benefits you expect to obtain from conducting research in the US.
  3. Publication lists, if available.
  4. Academic transcripts
  5. Portrait picture of applicant.

 

3. Reference letters and official invitation letter

Deadline November 15

3 reference letters to be sent directly by the referees to: mail@baef.be.

Official invitation letter from the US university or host institution.

 

4. BAEF Selection interviews

Last week of January

Based upon your written application, the candidate will be invited to a 10-15mins face to faces selection interview in Brussels.

 

5. Notification of BAEF Fellowships

Mid-February

You will be notified whether you received a BAEF Fellowship.

 

6. Additional Financial Support

 

A combination of fellowships funding is accepted. However, BAEF reserve its rights to possibly reduce proportionally the amount of its fellowship.

If full funding is provided through another association or institution, the title of Honorary Fellow will be granted.

 

7. Pre-departure Information Meeting

Early June

Pre-departure information meeting. Followed by a lunch with the benefactors.

 

8. Activation of the Fellowship

July 1 – December 30

As a Fellow, you are free to choose your departure date to the US in accordance with your US supervisor, within the period of July 1-December 31,

 

9. Period of Financial Support

12 months

BAEF research Fellowships are funded for 12 months provided that the Fellow remains in the US for the whole tenure of its Fellowship.

However, it is common for post-doctoral researchers to get some additional funding from their US research unit to prolong their US research stay.
Apply to BAEF