Ghent University Initiatives

Flemish Government Initiatives

FWO Post-Doctoral Level
Excellent researchers who have recently obtained their PhD degree may qualify for these postdoctoral fellowships (3-9 years) for fundamental research from the Research Foundation - Flanders (FWO).
FWO Visiting Postdoctoral Fellowships
junior and senior postdoctoral fellows can apply for mobility grants from the Research Foundation - Flanders (FWO) to spend 3-12 months at a Flemish university
FWO Scientific Research Networks
International networks of research teams, recognised for a minimum period of 5 years by the Research Foundation - Flanders (FWO), may receive additional funding for their activities.
FWO Bilateral Agreements
Various types of exchanges are possible between Flanders and Argentina, Bulagria, Ecuador, Japan, Poland and the U.S. through these agreements.
IWT Post-Doctoral Fellowships
The Institute for the Promotion Innovation by Science and Technology in Flanders (IWT) provides fellowships to researchers with a PhD degree who wish to commercialise their research findings.
Bilateral Cultural Agreements: Exchange programmes for students and young researchers
The Flemish Government provides funds for the exchange of students/researchers to various countries with which Flanders has forged bilateral cultural agreements.
Cooperation programme with Central and Eastern Europe
The Flemish Government provides funds for cooperation with countries in Central and Eastern Europe.
Cooperation programme with France: Tournesol
Special exchange programmes between France and Flanders exist in the fields of technology and medical research.
Royal Flemish Academy for Science and the Arts (VLAC)
The Royal Academy offers fellowships, including accommodation, to international top-academics as a means to encourage international collaboration with Flanders.

Belgian Federal Government Initiatives

Postdoc Fellowships to non-EU Researchers
Experienced researchers from particular countries in Eastern Europe, Caucasia, Central Asia, the Mediterranean region, Central Africa and South America can obtain 6-12-month research fellowships in Belgium.
Bilateral Agreements 
Various types of collaborative projects are established between Belgium and the following partner countries: Bulgaria, China, Poland, Russia, Vietnam and Argentina.
Interuniversity Attraction Poles (IAP)
These large international thematic research networks are funded for 5 years. They span research fields in life sciences, exact and applied sciences as well as the humanities and social sciences.

University Development Cooperation Programme 

VLIR-UOS: Own Initiatives
Own Initiatives are 5-year cooperation programmes between a Flemish university and a university from the South.
VLIR-UOS: Short Training Initiatives (STI)
Short Training Initiatives address issues of development through short study programmes for interested actors from developing countries.
VLIR-UOS: International Training Programmes
The International Training Programmes are directed towards professionals from the South, and organised at a Flemish University.
VLIR-UOS: International Conferences
Conferences on issues of development cooperation can be supported with VLIR-UOS funds.

Participation in International Cooperation Programmes initiated by the European Commission and Other Organisations

Target group: Europe

Lifelong Learning Programme (LLP)
The LLP supports learning opportunities from childhood to old age in every single life situation. With a budget of over € 7000 million it is the largest EC-funded cooperation programme.
Tempus/CARDS
Emphasis on the mobility of academic and administrative staff from higher education institutions between Europe and the Western Balkans.
FP7 ( 2007 – 2013 ): Introduction
The Seventh Framework programme in a nutshell: useful information for everyone interested in getting involved in FP7.
FP7 ( 2007 – 2013 ): Cooperation
Private companies, public organisations as well as individual researchers (EU and non-EU) can apply for funding in particular research areas. Teams are expected to collaborate internationally.
FP7 ( 2007 – 2013 ): Ideas: ERC grants
Post-doctoral mobile researchers can become Principal Investigators with their own research team and funding. Annual calls for ERC grants are issued.
FP7 ( 2007 – 2013 ): People
Through a range of Marie Curie Programmes, the 7th Framework Programme provides international and intersectoral mobility scholarships as well as funding for training networks.
ESF : EUROCORES
The ESF Collaborative Research Programme issues call afther a particular theme has been agreed by ESF. The funding project is designed to be complementary to the FP7 programme.

Target group: North and South America

EU/US Programme Atlantis
Atlantis provides funding for transatlantic cooperation in the field of higher education and vocational training.
EU/Canada Programme
This programme provides funding for transatlantic cooperation in the field of higher education and vocational training.
Alfa Programme
Funding for cooperation between EU - Latin America; focus on institutional and academic management and scientific and technical training.
Belgian American Educational Foundation (BAEF)
Postdoctoral researchers at an American or Belgian university can apply for a 6-12-month fellowship to carry out research at a Belgian/American University respectively.
U.S. Department of State: Fulbright programme
Postdoctoral researchers can apply for funding towards an exchange period at a Belgian / American university.

Target group: Middle East, Asia, Oceania and Africa/ Caribbean/ Pacific

Tempus/MEDA Programme
This programme provides possibilities for educational cooperation between the EU, North Africa and the Middle East.
Tempus/TACIS Programme
This programme provides possibilities for educational cooperation between the EU, Eastern Europe and Central Asia.
Edulink 
EDULINK is open to all countries of the African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States (ACP) and the 15 EU Member States that are signatories to the 9th European Development Fund (EDF).
Anna Lindh Foundation
The Anna Lindh Foundation is a network that provides funds for cooperation within the Euromed group of countries.
Japan: JSPS and Canon Foundation
EU-Australia Programme
This programme provides funds for cooperation between EU - Australia in the field of higher education and vocational training.
EU-New Zealand Programme
This programme provides funds for cooperation between EU - New Zealand in the field of higher education and vocational training.

Worldwide Target Group

Erasmus Mundus Programme
Focus is on the promotion of EU higher education in the rest of the world by organising interuniversity master programmes with elaborate mobility schemes between EU - rest of the world.
Erasmus Mundus External Cooperation Window
This mobility scheme addresses student and academic exchanges, designed to foster co-operation in the field of higher education between the European Union and Third-countries.
Unesco and the Flemish Government: Trust Fund
Research in Hydrology and Oceanology take priority in this collaborative fund, aimed at disseminating Flemish expertise and implementing it in multilateral organisations.
NATO: Science for Peace and Security (SPS) Programme
Various types of grants are available to scientists in NATO-countries, Partner and Mediterranean Dialogue countries in a number of priority areas.
International Foundation for Science (IFS)
This ngo helps young researchers to establish an academic career by means of "research back pack" funding.
European Cooperation in the field of Scientific and Technological Research (COST)
Researchers from COST-member states can propose new actions, which - once accepted - can be joined by other individuals or interested countries.