Institutional restrictions on scientific cooperation in FWO funding instruments

As a result of the Russian invasion in Ukraine and in line with current EU sanctions in term of cooperation with/financing of Belarusian or Russian persons/entities, scientific cooperation with Belarus and Russia is until further notice not possible in all FWO funding schemes.

Due to their strong ties with the Chinese military and defence industry, scientific cooperation with the Seven Sons of National Defence is not allowed in all FWO funding schemes. It specifically concerns:

• Beihang University, formally known as Beijing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics
• Beijing Institute of Technology
• Harbin Engineering University
• Harbin Institute of Technology
• Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics
• Nanjing University of Science and Technology
• Northwestern Polytechnical University

This means i.a.:

• FWO fellowships: researchers affiliated to Belarusian or Russian institutions; or the Chinese Seven Sons of National Defence cannot act as co-promoter;
• FWO projects: researchers affiliated to Belarusian or Russian institutions; or the Chinese Seven Sons of National Defence cannot act as co-supervisor and are not eligible for FWO funding;
• Outgoing mobility grants: applications for an outgoing travel grant at a Belarusian or Russian host institution; or a Chinese Seven Son of National Defence are not eligible;
• Incoming mobility grant: researchers affiliated to Belarusian or Russian institutions; or the Chinese Seven Sons of National Defence are not eligible to submit a travel grant for a scientific stay in Flanders;
• FWO review college: researchers affiliated to Belarusian or Russian institutions; or the Chinese Seven Sons of National Defence cannot act as an FWO panel member of external reviewer for FWO applications.

Above-mentioned restrictions apply on an institutional level and not on a particular nationality. E.g. researcher with the Belarusian or Russian nationality remain eligible to submit an FWO fellowship application and researchers with the Belarusian or Russian nationality, however not affiliated to a Belarusian or Russian institution, can still act as a co-promotor for an FWO fellowship/research project.

Can I still publish papers to which Belarusian or Russian researchers contributed?

Yes, based on individual collaborations this is still possible. FWO restrictions mainly focus on contract-based collaboration on the level of research institutions.

Is collaboration with Belarusian or Russian institutions; or the Chinese Seven Sons of National Defence possible via subcontracting with FWO funding?

No, this is not possible.