Belgian American Educational Foundation (BAEF) Fellowship (2026-2027)

Fellowship Description

The Belgian American Educational Foundation (BAEF) encourages applications for fellowships for advanced study or research during the academic year 2026-2027 at a Belgian university, institution of higher learning, or Belgian research institution. The BAEF fosters excellence transatlantically by bridging Belgium and the United States, empowering future leaders through prestigious fellowships and a global network.

The BAEF will award up to fourteen fellowships as outright non-renewable grants. Fellowships can be undertaken at any Belgian university or research institution, and fellows are expected to be in residence in Belgium during the tenure of their fellowship.

Fellowship Location

The fellowship is tenable at Belgian universities, institutions of higher learning, or Belgian research institutions. Fellows must be in residence in Belgium during the tenure of their fellowship.

Application Deadline

Completed applications for the 2026-2027 fellowships must be submitted as electronic documents in PDF format attached to an email sent no later than:

Host Institution

The Belgian American Educational Foundation (BAEF) – a prestigious foundation fostering academic exchange between Belgium and the United States. Fellows may affiliate with any Belgian university (including KU Leuven, Ghent University, UCLouvain, Université Libre de Bruxelles, University of Liège, University of Antwerp, etc.) or recognized research institutions.

Level and Fields of Study

Levels: Master's students, PhD students, and Postdoctoral fellows.

Fields: All fields of advanced study or research are eligible. Applicants should make their own arrangements to register or affiliate with a Belgian university or research institution.

Target Group

Applicants must be citizens or permanent residents of the United States. The fellowship is designed for US students and researchers wishing to pursue advanced study or research in Belgium.

Fellowship Duration & Amount

Stipend amounts:

• Master's or PhD students: $30,000 personal stipend
• Postdoctoral fellows: $34,000 personal stipend

Duration: Fellows should be in residence in Belgium 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.

Additional benefits: The Foundation will defray the cost of health insurance in Belgium through its group policy. No additional financial aid is to be expected.

Number of fellowships: Up to fourteen (14) fellowships will be awarded.

Note: These are outright non-renewable grants.

Fellowship Eligibility

Citizenship: Applicants must be citizens or permanent residents of the United States.

Applicants must fulfill one of the following conditions:

• Plan to register for study at a Belgian graduate program: Master's, PhD, or equivalent professional degree while holding the BAEF fellowship.
• Be a registered student in a Master's, PhD, or equivalent degree program in the United States at the time of application and plan applicable research in Belgium.
• Hold a Master's, PhD, or equivalent degree and plan research in Belgium.

Postdoctoral applicant requirement: By July 1, 2026, postdoctoral applicants should have no more than 2 years of research experience since obtaining their PhD degree.

Language requirements: Knowledge of Dutch, French, or German is optional (not required).

Affiliation: Applicants should make their own arrangements to register or affiliate with a Belgian university or research institution before applying.

Application Procedure

1. Arrange affiliation – Make your own arrangements to register or affiliate with a Belgian university or research institution. Identify a host institution and supervisor in Belgium.
2. Download application forms – Obtain the US application forms from the BAEF website.
3. Prepare required documents – Gather the following materials:
   • Completed application form
   • Undergraduate and graduate transcripts
   • Brief autobiographical statement
   • Plan of study or research
   • Three (3) letters of recommendation (submitted separately by recommenders)
4. Compile application – Combine all application documents into a single PDF file.
5. Submit application via email – Send the completed PDF application as an attachment to [email protected] no later than October 31, 2025.
6. Request recommendation letters – Ask your three recommenders to submit their letters separately to the same email address: [email protected].

IMPORTANT NOTE: Applications must be submitted as electronic documents in PDF format attached to an email. Letters of recommendation should be submitted by the recommenders separately to the same email address.

Official Website & Application Link

BAEF – Fellowships Announcement for Americans (Official Page)

Application submission email: [email protected]

For additional information: Contact the Foundation at the same email address: [email protected]