OBJECTIVE
Research and/or Lecturing
APPLICATION PERIOD
September 15 till December 1 (at noon CET)
IMPORTANT
Review eligibility requirements below and include all required documents in your online application.
Post-Doctoral Research and Lecturing
As part of the Fulbright Visiting Scholar Program, Fulbright awards scholarships to Belgian and Luxembourgish citizens to conduct post-doctoral research and/or lecture in any academic field at an accredited U.S. institution for a period between three months and nine months.
Applicants must include a letter of affiliation from a U.S. host institution in their application.
BENEFITS
- Scholarship of up to $3,000 per month
- J-1 visa sponsorship
- Pre-departure support
- Travel stipend of $1,000
- Health benefit plan
- In-country programming (e.g. seminars, local advisor)
- Prestigious title and access to alumni network
ELIGIBILITY
- Belgian or Luxembourgish citizenship
- Proficiency in English
- Minimum of a PhD degree. You must have received a PhD diploma before departure to the U.S.
- Academic excellence, or outstanding personal or professional background
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS
- Americanized resume/CV
- 3 to 5 page single-spaced Project Statement
- 1 to 3 page Bibliography of References relevant to the proposed research
- Diploma of most recent degree including transcripts with completed coursework
- Three letters of recommendation (uploaded directly into online application by chosen recommenders)
- Letter of affiliation from a U.S. host institution; this letter should contain the institution’s letterhead, mention the exact dates, the objective of your research stay, as well as any facilities you will have access to during your grant
All these documents must be included in your application by December 1 including the affiliation letter.
HOW TO APPLY
The application period to apply for this grant is between September 15 and December 1 for applicants who intend to start their research/lecturing in the next academic year.
For example, if you intend to start your research in the academic year of 2025-2026, you will need to apply for a grant between September 15 and December 1, 2024.
- Research proposals should start no earlier than mid-August (the U.S. academic calendar typically runs from August/September to May/June)
- Every applicant needs to submit a complete online application in English via the Fulbright/IIE platform by December 1 at noon (CET)
- You must include all required documents in your application. Incomplete applications will not be considered for an award
- When creating an online account to start a new application, preferably use a personal email address instead of a temporary work or school address
Before starting a new application, please review the Application Guidelines on how to complete the online application.
ABOUT THE PROGRAM
The Fulbright Program is the flagship international educational exchange program of the U.S. Department of State. Keep in mind that the program is all about promoting mutual understanding through cultural diplomacy.
The most competitive applicants demonstrate ambassadorial qualities and a genuine interest in cultural exchange. It is important for candidates to articulate a clear, creative, and feasible plan for their time in the United States and to explain why this is the right time to pursue their plan and how their grant will ultimately help them achieve their personal and professional goals in the future. The Commission is looking for candidates who will also have a multiplier effect within their U.S., Belgian or Luxembourgish communities and who wish to ultimately return to Belgium or Luxembourg to share their knowledge and experiences after their grant has ended.
Candidates are responsible for securing a letter of affiliation on their own. Top-ranked candidates will be invited for a mandatory interview in English. The interview will include a discussion of your motivations for going to the U.S., your plans when you arrive, and how you will improve U.S. relations between Belgium or Luxembourg as an alumni when you return. Successful candidates will demonstrate ambassadorial qualities, English proficiency, and the ability to explain their academic proposal in simple terms. All applications are evaluated by our selections committee which is composed of Belgian, Luxembourgish and American academia, professionals, government officials, and Fulbright alumni from various fields.
APPLICATION TIMELINE
HEAR FROM OUR GRANTEES
“Doing a Fulbright gave me the chance to go and live in a place that fascinated me very much but where I would otherwise never have been able to live: the rural [American] South. Much more than just an academic opportunity, my Fulbright year provided me with the freedom to take the time to really get to know the region, its people and its heritage. This allowed me to gain a thorough understanding of the history and present dynamics of the South, which have had such an important impact on what the U.S. is today. It gave me the chance to really learn to combat prejudice, my own and that of others. In short, it was an experience that I now think crucial to my development as a person and as a researcher.”
Dr. Jozefien De Bock
Fulbright Visiting Scholar to Clemson University
“Being a Fulbright grantee in the USA profoundly affected both my academic and personal growth. Interacting with Yale faculty and graduate students has been intellectually very stimulating, and laid a cornerstone for an invaluable international research network. Beyond academics, the program also changed me as a human being. Building friendships with passionate people from so many countries greatly increased my understanding and appreciation of American and other cultures. Coming back home made me realize how much the Fulbright program and the US have become part of my DNA. I hope to continue sharing my enthusiasm for both in the future!”
Michaël Rubens
FULBRIGHT GRANTEE TO YALE UNIVERSITY
"My Fulbright fellowship offered me the unique opportunity to collaborate with and learn from some of the top researchers in my field, explore the diverse history, nature and culture in the U.S, and make friends from all over the world. My stay in the U.S. truly was a life-changing experience, accelerating my career and opening plenty of doors."
Koenraad Beckers
FULBRIGHT GRANTEE TO Cornell University
FAQ
Most frequent questions and answers
I am a Belgian/Luxembourgish citizen living abroad. Can I apply?
As a Belgian or Luxembourgish citizen, you may apply for a Fulbright grant if you are living in any country except the United States. If you are resident in the United States, a dual U.S.-Belgium or U.S.-Luxembourg citizen, or hold a Green Card at the time of application, you are ineligible to apply.
I am a Belgian/Luxembourgish citizen currently pursuing my studies in the United States. Am I eligible to apply for the Fulbright Program?
Candidates already in the United States at the time of application and those who have resided in the U.S. for five or more years in the six-year period preceding the date of application are ineligible to apply. Moreover, please note that preference will be given to those who have not had substantial recent experience in the U.S. with “substantial recent experience” being study, research or employment for a period of aggregating more than an academic year (9 months) during the past five years.
I do not have Belgian/Luxembourgish citizenship, but am currently living/studying/working there. Am I eligible to apply for the Fulbright Program?
No. Eligibility for the Fulbright Program is based on nationality, not residence.
When do I need to apply for a Fulbright grant?
Applicants can apply for a Fulbright award between September 15 and December 1 with the intention to carry out a program in the next academic year. All departures must take place between mid-August and late March, and the grant period needs to take place within the academic year you are applying for.
When is the deadline to submit an application?
Applicants needs to submit an online application by December 1 at 12 PM (CET) and include the required documents. Incomplete applications will not be considered for an award.
What happens if I am offered a Fulbright Award, but not an invitation from a U.S. host institution?
If you are not invited to a U.S. host institution, the offer of a Fulbright Award will be withdrawn.
Can I combine multiple scholarships?
Yes. You may be able to combine other scholarships (e.g. BAEF) offered by other institutions with a Fulbright grant providing that there is no conflict from their side. You are able to disclose any other scholarship applications in your Fulbright application.
I intend to pursue a medical residency or clinical medical research or training in the U.S.? Can I apply?
No. In general, the Fulbright Program is not appropriate for programs or projects involving graduate medical education or training at accredited U.S. schools of medicine or scientific institutions. In addition, the program is also not appropriate for unsupervised research or academic study involving direct contact with human or animal patients, subjects, or specimens.
As a participant in the Fulbright Visiting Scholar Program, will I be subject to the two-year home requirement after my grant?
Yes. All Fulbrighters are J-1 Exchange Visitors subject to a two-year home residency requirement also known as the foreign residence requirement under U.S. law, Immigration and Nationality Act, section 212(e). A two-year period of home residency is required before you may apply for a non-immigrant (e.g. H, L) visa as a temporary worker or for permanent residency in the United States. This requirement does not prevent you from reentry into the United States within the two-year period to attend conferences, tourism, or further study. More information about the two-year rule can be found here. A list of documents that fulfill the proof of legal residency requirement for each EU country can be found here.
Does the Fulbright Program fund part-time programs?
No. Grants are awarded for the purpose of full-time study, research or lecturing. Flexibility around practical arrangements and specific schedule of the program should be confirmed with the host institution.
What is an Americanized resume?
While many examples of an ‘American’ style resume can be found online, there are some general guidelines that are different from a typical ‘European’ style resume. An American resume begins with your name and contact information (address, phone number, email address) at the top of the page. Most resumes will include sections about education, work experience and skills. Do not include personal information like a photo, date/place of birth, nationality, or marital status. In most cases, it is recommended to have a resume or CV that is no longer than one or two pages, however, we understand that this can be more challenging in an academic context.
Am I responsible for arranging my own affiliation to my host institution?
Yes. Applying to a host institution in the United States is a separate, simultaneous process. Please note that if you have chosen a university as your host institution, its accreditation should be recognized by either the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) or the U.S. Department of Education. Non-typical host institutions for researchers need to have non-profit status and may be research institutions or facilities, think tanks, museums, libraries or post-secondary accredited educational institutions.
How do I add the required letters of recommendation to my application?
Letters of recommendation need to be submitted online by your chosen recommenders. In the online application you will find a section called ‘Recommendations’ where you can register your chosen recommenders. Once registered they will receive an automatic email with the request to upload their letter of recommendation which we will be added to your application. After registering, you are able to track the status of these letters and send reminders. These letters need to be submitted in your application by the December 1 deadline.
Can I submit more than three letters of recommendation?
Although it is technically possible to register more than three recommenders in the online application, we only require three letters and only the first three letters will be taken into consideration.
Do I need to apply in the student or scholar category as a researcher?
If you are currently a doctoral student who will graduate after the intended research stay in the U.S., then you need to apply in the student category. If you already completed your PhD degree or you will complete your PhD before or by the intended time of departure to the U.S., you will need to apply in the scholar category. Please feel free to reach out to us if you have any questions about your specific situation.
Do I need to include any standardized test scores in my application?
No. We do not require exam scores (e.g. GRE, TOEFL) for the grant application. However, it is optional to include these test results in the appropriate application fields.
I have not yet completed my PhD program. Can I apply for a Post-Doctoral Research grant?
In order to be eligible for this grant, a PhD degree is required. If you will have received your PhD degree before or by the time of departure to the U.S., you are eligible to apply as a scholar.
My doctoral program did not include coursework. Which transcripts do I need to provide?
If you did not complete any coursework during your PhD program, you can alternatively submit transcripts from an earlier program (e.g. master’s degree).
When do I need to provide proof of affiliation to a U.S. institution in my application?
Scholars must include the affiliation letter from their host institution by December 1. An example of a letter of affiliation for research applicants can be found here.
The online application has asked me to do something different to the application instructions on the website. What should I do?
The online application system is used by Fulbright Programs around the world and application procedures differ greatly from country to country. You must follow the guidelines presented by the Fulbright Commission in Brussels.
Does Fulbright offer health insurance to spouses or dependents on a J-2 visa?
No. Only Fulbright grantees benefit from health benefits offered by the U.S. Department of State. Dependents who are accompanied by the grantee during the program are required to arrange health insurance separately.
Is the entire application in English?
Yes. The online application needs to be completed in English including the required documents. Exceptionally, you may include transcripts and the diploma of your most recent degree in either Dutch, French or German, however it is recommended to submit an English version of these documents. Any documents in other languages should be submitted along with a certified English translation.
Does the Fulbright Commission in Brussels require supplemental forms?
We do not require supplemental forms such as a Report on Proficiency in English, Letter of Reference Form or Letter of Support from Home Institution.
When will I hear from the Fulbright Commission if I have been selected for an interview?
Applicants who are selected for an interview will be contacted via email in mid-January. Interviews will take place during the last week of January or in the first week of February.
When will I hear from the Fulbright Commission if I have been selected for a Fulbright Award?
Successful applicants will be contacted via email in late February or early March. Successful applicants must then be officially approved by the Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board and should receive a confirmation of their grant in mid-March.
Does the Fulbright Commission cover the cost of fees at my host institution?
No. The Fulbright Commission provides a scholarship (including a travel stipend) and other benefits, as detailed above. However, no additional funds are available for fees at the host institution.
Is the amount of the awarded grant calculated based on location in the U.S.?
No. The Fulbright Commission offers standardized monthly stipends regardless of the candidate’s intended host location in the U.S. Please take into account that living costs may vary in the U.S.