Belgium
2 Fulbright/Ghent University Award
Accepted Degree Levels
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Grant PeriodFall StartGrant Length6-9 Months |
Award Type
Fulbright Graduate Degree Grants
- Yes
Award Profile
In partnership with Ghent University, the Fulbright Commission in Brussels offers up to two awards per year for students interested in graduate study and/or independent research, or a combination thereof. Applications are welcome in all academic disciplines.
Grant Length
Grant Period
The standard grant is for a duration of nine months, but applications for this particular award will be considered for a period as short as six 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).
Orientation
Prior to departure from the U.S., 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
To be eligible, candidates must currently be pursuing a full Master's, PhD program, or propose a full-time degree program at Ghent University. Candidates must also be a U.S. Citizen to be eligible.
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
Special Application Instructions
In the Fulbright online application, for Award Name please select Ghent University from the drop down menu to be considered for this award.
Applicants must include a timeline of the proposed project in the statement of grant purpose. Please include the proposed start and end month in Belgium. Applicants must include a timeline of the proposed project in the Statement of Grant Purpose. Please include the proposed start and end month in Belgium. Applicants who wish to be in Belgium in July or August should discuss this with their intended host/mentor and confirm their availability to provide support during the summer months, when many Belgians are out of office. To facilitate work with scholars during the academic year, we recommend grant dates between 15 September - 15 June.
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. Please keep in mind that Ghent is in Flanders with Dutch as its primary language. Although English is widely spoken there and often suffices for Fulbright grantees doing research or studying in an English-language program, a history of studying French will not prove very helpful in that city.
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
Applicants must arrange their own affiliation with or admission to Ghent University, but a letter of affiliation or acceptance is not required by the time of the application deadline. If applicants can obtain letters of affiliation in advance of the application deadline, please include them in the application. If this is not possible at the time of application, successful applicants can provide proof when awarded the grant.
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 early February 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.
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/
Ghent University: https://www.ugent.be/en