# PhD Fellowships
**Source**: https://www.ugent.be/en/research/funding/national/fwo/phdfellowships.htm
**Parent**: https://www.ugent.be/en/research/funding
## Important dates call 2026
| | |
| --- | --- |
| 05/12/2025 | Opening call |
| 09/12/2025 | Information session, [recording](https://ugent.cloud.panopto.eu/Panopto/Pages/Viewer.aspx?id=3f1dfc37-a43e-488b-8d4d-b3a800eafe5b) + [slides](https://www.ugent.be/en/research/funding/national/fwo/slides-information-session-phd-fwo) |
| 02/03/2026 | Deadline |
## Features
There are **two types** of FWO PhD Fellowships:
1. Fundamental Research (FO): This type allows young researchers to prepare a PhD, and to develop into **independent scientists with a critical mindset**. In this context, fundamental research stands for **challenging and innovative research**. This type of fellowship is **curiosity-driven**.
2. Strategic Basic Research (SB): This type allows young researchers to prepare a PhD, and to develop into **strategically thinking**and**innovation-oriented scientists**. In this context, strategic basic research stands for challenging and innovative research, which, if successful, may in the longer term lead to innovative **applications with economic added value** (for specific companies, for a collective of companies, or a sector, or in line with the [Flanders 2025 transition areas](https://www.vlaanderen.be/publicaties/flanders-in-transition-priorities-in-science-technology-and-innovation-towards-2025)). This type of fellowship is **goal-driven**.
FWO PhD Fellowships are personal fellowships for a period of **two years** and are **renewable once** for two years. Mandate holders work for FWO at one (or multiple) of the eligible host institutions.
## Training and support
### Writing your application
- Every year, the Research Co-Ordination Office organizes an **information session** in collaboration with the FWO. This event is announced via the newsletter [BOZI](https://researchtips.ugent.be/en/tips/00001807/). Registration is mandatory.
- See FWO website ([FO](https://www.fwo.be/en/fellowships-funding/phd-fellowships/phd-fellowship-fundamental-research/) and [SB](https://www.fwo.be/en/fellowships-funding/phd-fellowships/phd-fellowship-strategic-basic-research/)) for support on choosing an **expert panel**, how to find your percentiles/**study results**, to consult **the scoring grid** and a list of research **disciplinary codes**.
- Your (co-) supervisor gives feedback on the content of your proposal.
### Interview and pitch
If you are successful during the preselection, you can rely upon support at Ghent University to prepare you for the **second round**:
1. You will be invited to attend **a plenary** on how to pitch your cv and research proposal and how to approach the Q&A round with the FWO panel members.
2. Ask **your supervisor** to give you feedback on your pitch and presentation slides.
3. Faculties can decide to organise **mock interviews**. During these interviews, you deliver your pitch before a test jury, which afterwards will ask you questions similar to those you can receive during the FWO interview. After this, you receive detailed feedback on your pitch, presentation slide(s) and interview. Invitations for the mock interviews will be sent by your faculty after the plenary.
## Documents and video’s
### For applicants
The link to the 10/12 info session can be found [here](https://eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fugent.cloud.panopto.eu%2FPanopto%2FPages%2FViewer.aspx%3Fid%3D1b4b0a6f-422f-486e-9cac-b21800b3f7ee&data=05%7C02%7CPatricia.Vanbrabandt%40UGent.be%7Ce46e8ac0fd104b33f2c408dd1f4f45ea%7Cd7811cdeecef496c8f91a1786241b99c%7C1%7C0%7C638701147519895446%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=VPUntKJmQJ6nGRCzRY9GaHau4T6GYBNVDLk6lKpfeio%3D&reserved=0). The slides can be downloaded [here.](https://filesender.belnet.be/?s=download&token=146783bf-745e-4f18-b1eb-f99e506e0abf)
### For mandate holders
Consult the presentation slides and the recording of the introduction session (November 2022) to learn more about the financial, job-and HR-related aspects of your fellowship.
- [Presentation](https://www.dropbox.com/s/2imwb4471c834jr/infosessie_nieuwe%20aspiranten2022%20UG.pdf?dl=0) and [recording](https://youtu.be/HQso6RfAQHw) information session starting FWO PhD fellows
- [Presentation](https://www.dropbox.com/s/301xcyj6if1w164/Doctoral%20Schools_2022.pdf?dl=0) Doctoral Schools
## More information
See FWO website ([FO](https://www.fwo.be/en/fellowships-funding/phd-fellowships/phd-fellowship-fundamental-research/) and [SB](https://www.fwo.be/en/fellowships-funding/phd-fellowships/phd-fellowship-strategic-basic-research/)) for detailed information on the call, (bench fee) regulations, eligibility criteria, submission and selection procedure, and relevant documents and downloads.
As the holder of an FWO PhD fellowship you become a staff member of the FWO. If you previously had a contract at UGent, there is no possibility to transfer holidays to the FWO contract.
## Contact
- If you are a Fundamental Research Fellow and you have **questions regarding your fellowship**, contact the FWO account manager of your [scientific field](https://www.fwo.be/en/contact/for-the-researcher/). Strategic Basic Fellows can contact their FWO account manager via [SB@fwo.be](mailto:SB@fwo.be).
- If you have **HR-related questions**, contact the FWO via [hr@fwo.be](mailto:hr@fwo.be).
- For **technical (IT) problems regarding the e-portal and application modules**, send an email to [FWOhelpdesk@fwo.be](mailto:FWOhelpdesk@fwo.be)
## Contact
**Team Flemish, Federal & BOF Projects**
- [vlaams-federaal@ugent.be](mailto:vlaams-federaal@ugent.be)
- Applications: Thijs De Jaeger, [MS Teams](https://teams.microsoft.com/l/chat/0/0?users=thijs.dejaeger@ugent.be)
- After approval: Liesbeth Erauw, [MS Teams](https://teams.microsoft.com/l/chat/0/0?users=Liesbeth.Erauw@ugent.be)