Mobility projects France CNRS

The FWO is keen on promoting international collaboration as a driving force for excellence. That is why the FWO signs agreements with a number of countries to support e.g. the exchange of researchers and knowledge.

To develop and strengthen collaboration between Flanders and France in the area of scientific research, the FWO has signed an agreement with the Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS). Under this cooperation agreement, Flemish researchers are encouraged to participate in a number of existing CNRS funding channels targeting international collaboration:

• International Emerging Actions (IEA)
• International Research Networks (IRN)

In the framework of this MoU, Flemish researchers involved in a by CNRS approved IEA or IRN application can (not an obligation) request a top-up at FWO.

This MoU expired end of 2023 and was not renewed due to the limited interest and the already available FWO funding instruments in support of international collaboration/mobility. As a result, Flemish researchers involved in a by CNRS approved IEA or IRN application that was submitted at CNRS after 01/01/2024 are no longer eligible for an FWO top-up.

• IEAs are PI (France)-to-PI (Flanders) projects whose purpose is to explore new fields of research and international partnerships through: short-term mobility of scientists, the organisation of working meetings, and the initiation of early-stage joint research works. The participation of junior researchers is encouraged.
• Duration: 2 years, not extendable or renewable.
• If desired (not an obligation) a Flemish researcher involved in an IEA application can apply for additional funding at FWO, provided that:
• the IEA application was submitted at CNRS before 01/01/2024;
• the IEA application is already approved by CNRS;
• as a Flemish PI you have a PhD and hold, throughout the entire period of your project, an appointment of at least 50% at:
  • a university in the Flemish Community (including the academic programmes within the corresponding association), or to
  • a federal or Flemish scientific institute as scientific staff of the Dutch-speaking community, or to
  • a university hospital in the Flemish Community as scientific staff, or to
  • a hospital with an academic character recognized as research center in the Flemish Community as scientific staff.

• At FWO only travel and accommodation costs (daily fixed allowance of € 66 per day or € 1,650.00 per month) are eligible. Under no circumstances will the funding awarded by FWO be higher than the funding awarded by CNRS.
• For this purpose, the CNRS application (including details (number and duration research stays in France of persons linked to the project) and necessity (clearly linked to the work plan) of the requested additional funding at FWO) needs to be submitted at FWO via interprog@fwo.be.

• At FWO, the CIWC will evaluate your application according to the evaluation criteria for scientific cooperation projects.

• The purpose of an IRN is to structure an international scientific community around a common theme or research infrastructure. It promotes the organisation of international workshops and seminars, as well as thematic schools organised by the network partners in France and abroad.
• Duration: 5 years.
• If desired (not an obligation) a Flemish researcher involved in an IRN application can apply for additional funding at FWO, provided that:
  • the IRN application was submitted at CNRS before 01/01/2024;
  • the IRN application is already approved by CNRS;
  • the involved Flemish researcher holds a PhD and has a ZAP appointment at a university in the Flemish Community.
• For this purpose, the CNRS application (including details and necessity of the requested additional funding at FWO) needs to be submitted at FWO via interprog@fwo.be no later than September 1^st (5pm).
• Eligible costs are those of a Scientific Research Network  with a maximum of 12,000 EUR annually. Under no circumstances will the funding awarded by FWO be higher than the funding awarded by CNRS.
• At FWO your application will be evaluated according to the procedure in place for a Scientific Research Network.