Belgium
4 Open Study/Research Award
Accepted Degree Levels
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Grant PeriodFall StartGrant Length9 Months |
Award Type
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
Grant Period
The standard grant is for a duration of nine months. Grants will follow the academic calendar, beginning in mid-September and concluding in mid-June. Candidates wishing to begin the grant period at another time should explicitly state this in their application and justify the shift in schedule, especially if they plan on doing research or studies in August, when support for grantees is often limited at both the Fulbright Commission and at most host institutions in the country.
Grantees who wish to enroll in multi-year graduate programs are not eligible for additional funding.
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 from and contribute to 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 2026-27 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. Only projects in European art before 1800 (the "Early Modern Period") will be considered for this separate funding, with preference for projects relating to art restoration.
Eligible applicants
The Fulbright Commission in Brussels is actively looking for candidates for the US Student program with a wide range of backgrounds or projects that they would like to implement in Belgium. We are committed to recruiting a cohort of grantees that represents the depth and breadth of American talent in all fields of research. 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 in their proposed field of research (7+ years) should strongly consider applying for the US Scholar Program.
What is life like for Fulbrighters in the host country?
Applicants are expected to research their host country. Application materials should indicate a clear commitment to the host country community and a description of how you will engage with it.
Belgium is a small country with three national languages and an intricate political system with 1 federal government and 5 regional governments, creating a dynamic country where language is always on the mind and cities and regions have distinct personalities. Fulbright grantees are often located across the country in the main cities that are interconnected well by public transport, allowing for easy commutes to explore nature or other Belgian sites and meet grantees on their own time to explore new areas. Beyond that, the Fulbright Commission in Brussels organizes many events throughout the year, including after-work drinks with alumni, guided tours of museums or city centers around the country, and many more. Despite its small size, Belgium has much to offer in terms of nature, historical sites, food, cultural activities and countless festivals throughout the year to soak up and learn what it's like to be Belgian.
Eligibility
6 Months
Degree Level of Applicant
- Bachelor's
- Master's
- Doctoral
Foreign Language Evaluation (FLE) Form
If required, submission of the Foreign Language Evaluation (FLE) form is mandatory, even if you have advanced skills or are a native speaker of the language. Failure to submit the required FLE form may impact your eligibility.
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.
Foreign Language Proficiency Level by Grant Start
If a Foreign Language Evaluation (FLE) form is Required, applicants must have the following proficiency level by the start of the grant period. If a Foreign Language Evaluation (FLE) form is Recommended, applicants are encouraged but not required to have the following level by the start of the grant period.
Fulbright Proposal Types
Yes
Yes
Affiliation
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 may 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 complications 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, but those who are unable to do so will apply for a single permit through the Fulbright Commission. This will be discussed further with finalists as they prepare for their arrival to the country.
Affiliation Fees/Tuition
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.
Award Benefits
- A stipend broadly based on the cost of living in the host country. These funds may be used by the grantee to support housing, meals, and incidental costs during the grant period.
- International travel benefits
- Accident & sickness health benefits
- 24/7 mental health support line for urgent and non-urgent situations
- 12 months of non-competitive eligibility (NCE) hiring status within the federal government
Stipend Amount
This is an estimated amount and is subject to change. The financial terms of the grant will be confirmed in the grant document issued after selection.
Grantees in this award are expected to receive €1,700/month to cover living expenses while in the country. 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.
One-Time Allowances
This is an estimated amount and is subject to change. The financial terms of the grant will be confirmed in the grant document issued after selection.
- Settling in allowance
Grantees in this award are expected to receive 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 single permit/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.
Additional Grant Benefits
- Mid-year seminar
The Fulbright mid-year meeting usually takes place in Brussels in late January and includes a grantee symposium to present your work (optional), a meeting with the Fulbright Commission and some sort of cultural engagement activity (e.g. a museum visit, a chocolate workshop, etc.)
Estimated Cost of Living
Consider using cost of living comparison websites to gain a better understanding of the potential costs in your host country.
Excluding rent, the cost of living in Belgium is on par with or slightly lower than most areas of the United States. Rent is on average much lower in Belgium. You can find a list of average prices here, including the option to compare cost of living to where you are currently located. Compared to most of the United States, these are some major differences:
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Healthcare is usually quite affordable: an appointment with a general practitioner would normally cost around €25 ($27).
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Public transportation is available across the country with frequent and affordable travel available between cities by train and within cities via metro, trams or bus. A single ticket on public transportation lines ranges from about €1.6-€3.0 ($1.7-$3.1), and a trip on a train from Brussels to most Belgian cities costs less than €15 ($16), or much less for those with a train pass (10 tickets that can be used between any Belgian stations) or people younger than 26.
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Rent in Belgium is much lower than in most parts of the United States. A one-bedroom apartment can be rented in most parts of Belgium for around €850.
Dependents
The Fulbright Commission in Brussels may be able to offer financial support to grantees bringing dependents, but this is subject to budget availability and the type of visa the grantee will need to apply for to come to Belgium. Our Commission does 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, but in some cases may only be done after the grantee has arrived in Belgium and received their residence card, which can take a few months.
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.
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.
Music and Fine Arts Proposals
One award will be granted to a project in the field of European Art before 1800 (in the "Early Modern Period"), with preference given to projects in 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
Fulbright Commission/U.S. Embassy Website
Fulbright Commission/U.S. Embassy Contact
Additional Online Resources
Fulbright Grantee Blog Posts: https://www.fulbright.be/stories/