Francqui Start-Up Grant
Since 2019, the Foundation started to award start-up grants to promising researchers from Belgian Universities. The allowance offers financial stability to young academics during the critical early stages of their careers, and empowers them to embark on their scientific journeys. This support also provides opportunities for individuals from underrepresented backgrounds to pursue a career in science.
[Consult the list of titulars]
Description and rules
The Francqui Foundation proposes to award every two years a ‘Francqui Start-Up Grant’ (or ‘Collen-Francqui Start-Up Grant’ in the bio-medical sector) for the duration of 3 years.
The grant is aimed at young researchers under the age of 40, whom the University wishes to recruit as academic staff (ZAP). In particular, this mandate can be awarded to an excellent young researcher for whom this allowance is an attraction to accept the University’s mandate, or even to a brilliant researcher who does not yet belong to the academic framework that the University wishes to retain.
The holder of this mandate bears the title of ‘(Collen-) Francqui Docent’ for a period of 3 years.
The allowance is up to 200.000 euros, half of which will be financed by the Francqui Foundation and the other by the University itself.
The university agrees to deposit at the beginning of the mandate the full compensation (200.000 euros) on one account.
Possible financing goals are:
– the acquisition of laboratory equipment necessary for the research;
– recruiting a postdoc or doctoral student;
– a reduction in teaching assignments;
– other expenses related to the research.
Allotment of the grant:
In the spring of this academic year and at the latest on May 15th, the candidate selected by the University, will be nominated to the Francqui Foundation. The submission must contain a clear motivation and convincing.
If the University submits several files (maximum 3), the Foundation will make its own choice. The file, retained by the Foundation, will then be submitted for appointment by the Rector of the University.
The Francqui Foundation reserves the right not to grant the allowance if the file does not meet the strict quality criteria.
At the end of his mandate, the titular is asked to have a concise report to the Foundation with a description of his/her activities and scientific results.
File a submission
The deadline for applications to the Francqui Foundation is May 15.
These applications are submitted via the enclosed forms:
- Filled in and signed application form ;
- the candidate’s curriculum vitae ;
- a lettre clearly describing the candidate’s work.
In addition to submitting a hard copy of the application to the Francqui Foundation, an electronic version must also be sent.