2024-2025 competition is closed. 2025-2026 competition will open in April 2024. 

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Current U.S. Student

United States citizens who are currently enrolled in undergraduate or graduate degree programs are eligible to apply.If you are currently enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program at a U.S. college or university, you will apply through that institution, even if you are not currently a resident there. Find the Fulbright Program Adviser on your campus.

U.S. Citizen but not a Student

If you are a U.S. citizen, will hold a bachelor’s degree by the award start date, and do not have a Ph.D. degree, then you are eligible to apply. Non-enrolled applicants should have relatively limited professional experience in the fields (typically 7 years or less) in which they are applying. Candidates with more experience should consider applying for the Fulbright Scholar Program.

The Getting Started page will provide information on eligibility and next steps.

Artist

The Fulbright U.S. Student Program welcomes applications in the creative and performing arts. Arts candidates for the U.S. Student Program should have relatively limited professional experience in the fields (typically 7 years or less) in which they are applying. Artists with more experience should consider applying for the Fulbright Scholar Program.

Creative & Performing Arts projects fall under the Study/Research grant category and are available in all countries where Study/Research grants are offered.

FPA

U.S. Professor/Administrator

If you are a U.S. citizen and a professor or administrator at a U.S. institution and are interested in applying for a Fulbright Scholar Award, you will need to apply through fulbrightscholars.org.

To support your students in applying for a U.S. Student Program award, please connect with the Fulbright Program Adviser at your institution.

Non U.S. Citizens

If you are a non-U.S. citizen interested in applying for a Fulbright Award to the United States, you will need to apply through the Fulbright Commission or U.S. Embassy in your home country. Find out more information on the Fulbright Visiting Scholar Program or Fulbright Foreign Student Program.

Belgium

4 Open Study/Research Award

Accepted Degree Levels
  • Bachelor's
  • Master's
  • Doctoral
Grant Period
Fall Start
Grant Length
9 Months
Award Type
Open Study/Research
Award Profile

The Fulbright Commission in Brussels offers 4 Open Study/Research Awards to Belgium per year for students interested in graduate study, independent research, or a combination thereof. Applications are welcome in all academic disciplines, with one award reserved for a project in the arts.

Grant Length
9 Months
Grant Period
Fall Start

The standard grant is for a duration of nine months. Grants will follow the academic calendar, beginning in mid-September 2024 and concluding in mid-June 2025 (Candidates wishing to begin the grant period at another time should explicitly state this in their application). Grantees who wish to enroll in multi-year graduate programs are not eligible for additional funding.

Orientation
Pre-Departure and In-Country Orientation

Prior to departure, the Fulbright Commission will organize a virtual pre-departure orientation for Fulbright grantees to Belgium and Luxembourg. Grantees will be required to attend an in-country orientation with the Fulbright Commission in Brussels upon arrival in September. 

Candidate Profile

Well-qualified candidates at all graduate degree levels will be considered. Candidates must be mature, self-motivated individuals who are capable of working independently without supervision; preference will be given to candidates who demonstrate a track record of successful independent study.

Projects can be either full-time study, full-time research, or a combination of independent research and participation in a graduate degree program or other advanced courses. Proposals are welcome from candidates in all disciplines. Proposed projects should be innovative yet feasible and should build off the candidate's overall academic education and prior work. Applicants are encouraged to visit the website of the Fulbright Commission to see examples of past successful projects.

For all awards, the Commission seeks applicants who:

  • Demonstrate professional and academic excellence;
  • Outline a strong rationale and methodology for pursuing their project in Belgium;
  • Possess qualities of a cultural ambassador and show genuine interest in promoting mutual understanding as a Fulbright grantee; and
  • Indicate how they will benefit the Fulbright Program in Belgium.

Please be aware that applicants wishing to apply for the Fulbright-Schuman Award to the European Union must follow the guidelines on the EU Award summary page and will not be considered if they apply for an award to Belgium.

Projects in the Arts

The Fulbright Commission in Brussels prioritizes projects in the arts with a wide variety of host institutions. For the 2024-25 academic year, one grant is reserved for an open study/research award that focuses on European art in collaboration with a museum, non-profit or other artistic organization in Belgium. Preference is given to projects in European art before 1800, especially relating to art restoration. 

Diversity Statement

The Fulbright Commission in Brussels is actively looking for candidates for the US Student program with diverse backgrounds or projects that they would like to implement in Belgium. We are committed to recruiting a diverse cohort of grantees to Belgium to highlight the vast plethora of talent and qualifications that the United States has to offer. In addition to the traditional academic background, we also encourage applications from professionals, researchers or candidates with significant experience in the field they would like to do research in. Professionals could be policy-makers, policy analysts, researchers at think tanks, non-profit organizations (NGOs), associations, learned societies, foundations, decision-makers at state or federal government offices and individuals in industry or the media with relevant professional experience for their proposed project. Please note that this is not an exhaustive list. Candidates with extensive experience should strongly consider applying for the US Scholar Program.

Eligibility
Dual citizens of this country are NOT eligible
Residency in host country NOT permitted in year prior to grant
Indicate how many months is considered residency:
6 Months
Accepted Degree Levels
  • Bachelor's
  • Master's
  • Doctoral
Foreign Language Proficiency
Recommended - Novice

Foreign language proficiency is not required, but preference may be given to applicants with some level of proficiency in one of Belgium's three official languages (French, Dutch, and German). In order to develop a feasible proposal, candidates may wish to consult with their prospective host institutions about the availability of courses and programs in English, as well as the possibility of conducting research in English.

Upon selection, some study of the local language prior to arrival is encouraged to promote deeper engagement with the host community.

Fulbright Proposal Types
Independent Study/Research:
Yes
Graduate Degree Enrollment:
Yes
Affiliation
Independent Study/Research:
Letter recommended but not required at deadline
Graduate Degree Enrollment:
Letter recommended but not required at deadline

Candidates are responsible for securing their own admission or affiliation at a university, conservatory, think tank, or non-profit organization in Belgium. While proof is not required at the time of application, preliminary contact with the host institution(s) is encouraged and preference will be given to candidates who include admission or affiliation letters in their application. Selected candidates must ultimately submit evidence of an affiliation at least four months before arriving in Belgium.

Due to ongoing changes in the visa process for Belgium, candidates applying to do independent study/research are highly encouraged to explore options of enrolling as a visiting or independent student at a higher education institution in Belgium, in addition to any other affiliation or host institution connections in their proposed project. Enrolling as an independent/visiting student at a higher education institution will facilitate the visa process for successful candidates, and grants can be provided only to those who are able to get a visa before arrival in Belgium.

Affiliation Fees/Tuition
Affiliation Fees/Tuition not covered in grant benefits

Applicants who will be undertaking a full-time graduate program should be aware that tuition waivers are rarely given and are at the discretion of the educational institution. Applicants are responsible for requesting waivers. In the event a fee waiver is not granted, candidates should be aware that the Fulbright grant does not cover the cost of these fees.

Grantees in this award are expected to receive €1,600/month to cover living expenses along with a one-time travel stipend currently set at €2,000 to cover the cost of round-trip flights to/from Belgium, the costs of applying for the visa and the residence permit process once in the country, and other miscellaneous requirements linked to the grant. These amounts are subject to change and are only confirmed once successful candidates have signed their Terms of Award with the Fulbright Commission in Brussels. 

Housing Arrangements

Fulbright grantees are responsible for arranging their own housing in Belgium. Most Fulbright grantees choose to live in affordable shared accommodation with graduate students or young professionals. The Fulbright Commission will provide grantees with advice and a list of resources prior to arrival; additional support in finding housing may be provided by the grantee's host institution. Some higher education institutions have housing for enrolled students, but this housing is often limited and quite competitive. More resources will be provided to successful candidates at their pre-departure orientation typically held in April/May before their arrival. 

Dependents
Dependent financial support is NOT available

The Fulbright Commission in Brussels does not provide financial support to grantees bringing dependents, but we do provide additional information for how to bring dependents on the grant. Any dependents wishing to come to Belgium for more than 90 days in any 180-day period will be required to apply for a visa as well. This is typically done at the same time as the visa application for the grantee. 

Please keep in mind that childcare is difficult to come by in Belgium, so bringing young children can pose additional challenges. Enrollment in primary or secondary schools is possible in most cases for grantees staying in Belgium for longer than 90 days. More resources can be provided on a case by case basis. 

Music and Fine Arts Proposals

One award will be granted to a project in the field of European Art before 1800 or art restoration. It is highly recommended that candidates in the arts reach out to proposed host institutions before applying for the award in order to request a letter of affiliation. Eligible host institutions for projects in the arts include, but are not limited to: museums, universities, university colleges, art academies and nonprofits that focus on the arts. 

Candidates in other music or art fields are eligible for this award and should establish contacts with specialists in their fields who teach at Belgian institutions (e.g., music conservatories, art academies) and request a letter of affiliation. The Fulbright Commission does not accept music and art students who wish to study exclusively with private teachers and will not pay for private lessons. Additional personal funds will be required to cover costs for private lessons, practice facilities, studio space, purchase of materials, etc.

Fulbright Program Management Contact
FBstudent.EUR@iie.org
Fulbright Commission/U.S. Embassy Website
https://www.fulbright.be/
Fulbright Commission/U.S. Embassy Contact
Jace Jasper: jace@fulbright.be
Additional Online Resources
Fulbright Commission YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCn_YjM5wVQ2tO0iupKl6T7A
Fulbright Grantee Blog Posts: http://www.fulbright.be/category/belgium/americans-in-belgium/