BAEF Fellowships for Study or Research in Belgium

The Belgian American Educational Foundation (BAEF) offers fellowships for U.S. citizens and permanent residents to pursue advanced study or research in Belgium for 12 months in academic year 2027-2028. The award provides a stipend and covers health insurance in Belgium. Fellowships can be initiated between July 1, 2027, and January 3, 2028.

• Host: Belgian American Educational Foundation (BAEF)
• Level: Master's, PhD, and postdoctoral fellowships
• Destination: Belgium
• Deadline: October 31, 2026
• Awards: Up to fifteen fellowships
• Stipend: $32,000 for Master's/PhD; $35,000 for postdoctoral
• Extra: Health insurance in Belgium covered

This fellowship suits U.S. citizens or permanent residents who plan to register for study at a Belgian graduate program (Master's, PhD, or equivalent professional degree) while holding the BAEF fellowship, who are registered students in a Master's, PhD, or equivalent degree program in the United States at the time of application and plan research in Belgium relevant to the degree, or who hold a Master's, PhD, or equivalent degree and plan research in Belgium. Postdoctoral applicants should by July 1, 2027, have no more than 2 years of postdoctoral research experience since obtaining their PhD degree.

Belgian universities, Belgian institutions of higher learning, and Belgian research institutions. Applicants should make their own arrangements to register or affiliate with a Belgian university or research institution.

Master's and PhD studies or research in any subject.

Up to fifteen fellowships.

U.S. citizens and permanent residents.

Each fellowship is an outright non-renewable grant for 12 months that includes a personal stipend:

• $32,000 for Master's or PhD students
• $35,000 for Postdoctoral Fellows

The Foundation also defrays the cost of health insurance in Belgium through its group policy. No additional financial aid is to be expected.

Fellows should be in residence in Belgium during the tenure of their fellowship and stay for a period of 12 months. If the fellow chooses to remain in Belgium for less than 12 months, the stipend will be prorated accordingly. The minimum duration of the fellowship is 6 months.

Applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents and meet one of these conditions:

• Plan to register for study at a Belgian graduate program (Master's, PhD, or equivalent professional degree) while holding the BAEF fellowship, or
• Be a registered student in a Master's, PhD, or equivalent degree program in the United States at the time of application and plan research in Belgium that is relevant to the degree, or
• Hold a Master's, PhD, or equivalent degree and plan research in Belgium. Postdoctoral applicants should by July 1, 2027, have no more than 2 years of postdoctoral research experience since obtaining their PhD degree.

Knowledge of Dutch, French, or German is optional.

Completed applications for the 2027-2028 fellowships must be submitted no later than October 31, 2026 through the Online Application Platform. The application form requires:

• A clear and recent ID size picture of yourself
• Undergraduate and/or graduate transcripts
• A list of publications, if any
• A brief autobiography in first person narrative prose (maximum 1 page)
• A statement of purpose containing: an account of the study program or research already accomplished (less than 1 page); a description of your planned study or research in Belgium, listing university/institution, professors, where and with whom you hope to work (for research projects: maximum 3 pages, and insert an abstract); and the benefits you expect to obtain from your stay in Belgium (less than 1 page)

Three letters of recommendation should be submitted by the referees separately to [email protected]. For additional information, contact [email protected].

Visit the official website (link below) for detailed application instructions.

• Who can apply for the BAEF fellowship? U.S. citizens and permanent residents who plan to register in a Belgian graduate program, are enrolled in a Master's, PhD, or equivalent program in the U.S. and plan research in Belgium, or already hold a Master's, PhD, or equivalent degree and plan research in Belgium.
• What does the fellowship cover? A stipend of $32,000 for Master's/PhD students or $35,000 for postdoctoral fellows, plus health insurance in Belgium.
• What is the deadline? Applications must be submitted by October 31, 2026.
• How do I apply? Submit your application through the Online Application Platform; three letters of recommendation are sent separately by the referees to [email protected].
• When should the fellowship take place? Between July 1, 2027, and January 3, 2028, for 12 months, with a minimum duration of 6 months.

• Read the official guidelines carefully before you start your application.
• Prepare your documents early so you can submit before the deadline.
• Ask your referees to submit their letters of recommendation separately to [email protected].
• Ask a mentor or advisor to review your statement of purpose.
• Make sure your statement of purpose follows the required page limits.