Mobility projects France -TOURNESOL

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 for the funding of potential mobility projects. 

TOURNESOL is a scientific exchange programme supported by FWO and the Embassy of France in Brussels in which travel grants are allocated in the framework of selected scientific mobility projects. The goal of such TOURNESOL grants is to further sustain and expand the collaborations between Flanders and France.

Please be aware: The TOURNESOL programme focuses on junior researchers. As a consequence in this new call (2024) at Flemish side only researchers with maximally 12 years postdoctoral seniority can apply at FWO. In addition, at Flemish side, the exchanges can only be performed by predoctoral researchers or postdoctoral researchers with maximally 12 years postdoctoral seniority. At French side, involvement of junior researchers is highly appreciated. The scientific seniority of the French Principal Investigator and the exchanged researchers at French side will be taken into account in the evaluation process.

• As Principal Investigator of the Flemish research team, you hold a PhD. Important: In addition, you have maximally 12 years of postdoctoral seniority (first PhD degree can be obtained maximally 12 years before the submission deadline (28/03/2024) of the project, to be counted from the date of obtaining the doctoral degree).
• In addition, you 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 of, 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 Flemish side only predoctoral researchers or postdoctoral researchers (with maximally 12 years postdoctoral experience, i.e. first PhD degree can be obtained maximally 12 years before the submission deadline (28/03/2024) of the project, to be counted from the date of obtaining the doctoral degree) can make use of the funding to cover travel towards and accommodation expenses in France.