BAEF Graduate Fellowship for Study in Belgium
Offered by Belgian American Educational Foundation
About This Scholarship
The Belgian American Educational Foundation — an institution with roots in Herbert Hoover's World War I relief commission — awards up to fifteen fellowships a year for Americans to study or conduct research in Belgium. Master's and PhD students receive a $32,000 stipend for a 12-month stay; postdoctoral fellows receive $35,000.
The fellowship is unusually flexible: you can enroll in a graduate program at a Belgian university, spend a research year abroad as part of your US graduate program, or pursue postdoctoral research at a Belgian host institution. Belgium's universities — KU Leuven, Ghent, UCLouvain, ULB and others — rank highly in fields from biomedical science to European law and economics, and many programs are taught in English.
BAEF fellows join an alumni network stretching back more than a century. The application is direct — no campus nomination needed — with a personal statement, project or study plan, transcripts, and letters of recommendation.
Eligibility
- US citizens or permanent residents
- Either enrolling in a graduate program at a Belgian university, currently registered in a US graduate program with plans for Belgium-based study or research, or holding a master's or PhD with a Belgian research plan
- Postdoctoral applicants may have no more than two years of postdoctoral experience by July 1, 2027
- A speaking and reading knowledge of Dutch, French, or German is useful but English-taught programs qualify
How To Apply
- Identify a Belgian university program or host lab and line up your study or research plan
- Complete the application on BAEF's online application platform via the Apply Now button
- Arrange letters of recommendation, sent separately per the foundation's instructions
- Submit the completed application no later than October 31, 2026 for the 2027-2028 fellowship year
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is the BAEF fellowship worth?
The foundation awards a $32,000 stipend for master's or PhD students and $35,000 for postdoctoral fellows, supporting a 12-month fellowship period in Belgium.
Do I have to enroll in a Belgian degree program?
No. Three paths qualify: enrolling in a Belgian graduate program, spending a research year in Belgium as part of your current US graduate program, or conducting postdoctoral research at a Belgian institution.
Do I need to speak Dutch or French?
It helps, but it is not required — Belgian universities offer many English-taught master's and doctoral programs, and research groups commonly operate in English.