Methusalem funding

These researchers, who are affiliated with a Flemish university, can use this long-term programme funding flexibly to consolidate their international top level independently and strengthen their reference position internationally.

Methusalem funding is awarded for periods of 7 years and, subject to positive evaluations, until retirement. The evaluation for renewal takes place in a comparative perspective with new applications for Methusalem funding.

Number of grants

Start date, duration and budget

• Start project: 1 January 2028.
• Period: 7 years (or less in case of retirement).
• Funding:
  • Minimum budget of € 300.000/year.
  • Maximum budget € 500.000/year for alpha disciplines and € 600.000/year for bèta and gamma disciplines.
  • The requested annual Methusalem budget cannot exceed the average annual amount of ongoing and concluded research funding obtained by the candidate since 2021.
  • Funding can be acquired for personnel, operational costs, equipment, and/or sub-contracting.
  • In the case of a first period of Methusalem funding, the budget is gradually built up to reach 100% from the fourth year onward. 

Who can apply?

• The call is aimed at the university’s most outstanding researchers.
• The call is open to both new applications as applications for renewal of Methusalem funding granted for the period 2021-2027. The latter category is invited by UD1 – Research to submit a renewal application.

Candidates must:

1. belong to the second category of professorial staff: full professor or (part-time) senior full professor;
2. have a (temporary) appointment of at least 80% at Ghent University. Combined appointments (together at least 80%) at on the one side Ghent University and on the other side Ghent University Hospital, VIB Gent, IMEC Gent, and/or Vlerick Leuven Gent Management School, are also eligible. In case of a collaborative partnership between several Flemish universities, also combined appointments of at least 80% at Ghent University on the one side and one or more Flemish universities on the other side, are also eligible;
3. in case of a first application: preferably not retire between 1 January 2028 (the earliest possible start date of the Methusalem funding) and 31 December 2034. This period of 7 years corresponds with the duration of the first period of Methusalem funding. Applicants for renewal may retire during this period; in such cases, funding may be requested up to the date of retirement.
4. To have secured at least €1,800,000 in competitive research funding during the period 2021–2026. Please read the method of calculation carefully for details on how this amount is determined

Evaluation procedure and criteria

The selection of the Methusalem applications is a 2-step process.

1. Preselection
   • The evaluation is based on the written application and carried out by the Research Council in December 2026.
   • A maximum of 20 applicants can be selected to enter the final selection.
   • Criteria (for details see document ‘Announcement and application information’):
     • Excellence profile: candidates substantially contribute to the development of their scientific field, are internationally recognized for this contribution and have distinguished themselves as top researchers at Ghent University and internationally.
     • Have a research group of sufficient critical mass.
     • Prove that more than other researchers you have obtained research funding.
2. Final selection
   • The evaluation is carried out in October 2027 by a panel of external, internationally renowned researchers. Their advice is presented to the Research Council.
   • External peer reviewers will be invited to write evaluation reports. The candidates will have the opportunity to write a rebuttal.
   • The candidates and (part of) their research groups will be invited for an interview with the evaluation panel, during which they will present the project proposal.
   • the interviews take place in the week of 18 October 2027.
   • Criteria (for details see document ‘Announcement and application information’):
     • Excellence profile of the candidate (40%).
     • HR policy of the candidate (10%).
     • Quality of the research plan (50%).

How to apply?

The proposals have to be electronically submitted via BOFapplication@ugent.be. 

Please read the document ‘Announcement and application information’ carefully before applying.

Deadlines

• Deadline short proposals: 15 October 2026
• Deadline full proposals: 25 March 2027

Results

• Preselection: results online 16 December 2026 at the latest.
• Final selection: results online in November 2027 at the latest.

Contact

Special Research Fund
E BOF@ugent.be
T 09 264 30 27

Call and application form

The entire call and application form can also be downloaded:

• Announcement and application information 2028 (Word-document) - (PDF-document)
• Application form 2028 (Word-document)