Conference funding

 

The Fund for Scientific Research - FNRS 

 

Grants to attend scientific meetings abroad, within and outside Europe

The Fund for Scientific Research - FNRS gives “travel” grants to allow scientists to attend events in Europe or other parts of the world. The amount paid cannot exceed the cost of a return flight from Belgium to the destination. Grants are paid to researchers who are presenting a paper at a meeting of a clearly scientific nature. These meetings may be conferences, study groups or colloquia organized under the aegis of recognized scientific associations or bodies. Applications, made using forms available from the Fund for Scientific Research - FNRS, must reach the Fund at least two months before the date of the proposed scientific meeting if it is to be held in Europe, or three months if it is to be held outside Europe.

Grants for the organization of scientific meetings in Belgium

The Fund for Scientific Research - FNRS can award grants to encourage the organization of conferences.

They cannot exceed €5,000 per conference and can only cover:

  • The material organization of the conference;
  • Secretarial and interpreting costs;
  • Printing reports;
  • Travel and subsistence costs for up to four foreign participants.

Applications must be submitted to the General Secretariat of the Fund for Scientific Research - FNRS at least six months before the opening date of the proposed conference. Applications must be made by the organizing committee, which must include professors from at least two universities in the French-speaking Community of Belgium.

ooo Further information from the Research Department

 

The European Union (EU)

The European Union offers grants for the organization of seminars and lectures, as coordination and support actions (CSAs) in the priority areas mentioned in the Seventh Framework Programme.

Coordination actions (CAs)

These actions are undertaken by a consortium of at least three partners and include the following activities:

  • Organization of events (lectures, meetings, seminars, etc.)
  • Studies
  • Staff exchange
  • Exchange and dissemination of good practices

Specific support actions (SSAs)

These actions may be undertaken by a single participant and include the following activities:

  • Material organization of the conference
  • Monitoring activities
  • Lectures, seminars
  • Studies
  • Expert groups
  • Scientific prizes
  • Feasibility studies

ooo Further information from the Research Department.

The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)

Summer school (advanced study institutes, ASIs)

The summer schools offer high-level teaching (postdoctoral level) for ten working days. They are attended by 12 to 15 eminent experts (tutors) and 60 to 80 postdoctoral researchers, 40-50% of whom are from partner countries or Mediterranean dialogue countries. ASIs are led jointly by a scientist from a NATO country and a scientist from a partner or Mediterranean country.

Advanced research workshops (ARWs)

These are forums for intensive, high-level debate among experts from various countries, often working in different fields of research. They can last between two and five days and involve 20 to 50 participants, 40-50% of whom come from partner countries or Mediterranean dialogue countries. ARWs are led jointly by a scientist from a NATO country and a scientist from a partner or Mediterranean country.

These NATO grants (ASIs and ARWs) can be awarded (three times a year) in the context of scientific work in the following fields:

  • physical sciences, engineering and technology sciences
  • life sciences
  • environmental sciences, earth sciences
  • security issues.

ooo Further information from the International Relations Department

 

The Brussels-Capital Region

The office of the Brussels minister responsible for scientific research has funding available for the organization of seminars, conferences, colloquia, etc. The maximum amount that can be awarded is €3,000. Grants are awarded only to conferences that are held in Brussels, involve Brussels-based groups, or deal with topics of direct interest to the Region.

| contact : Anne Bovy | 6/09/2012 |