FRESH 2026 - Human Sciences Research Fund (Fonds pour la Recherche en Sciences Humaines)

Opening

02 July 2026 14:00

Closing

25 August 2026 14:00

Category: Research Mandates, Fellowships, ...

Profile: PhD (R1)

Periodicity: Annual

Financing description

Objective

The objective of the FRESH instrument is intended for the completion of the Ph.D. within 4 years in Human and Social Sciences (SHS).

Scope

The FRESH call supports, fundamental research projects with significant societal impact, using tools provided by human and social sciences.

The outcomes of the research projects are likely to improve the understanding or functioning of one sector in the society in the short-medium term at a local, regional, national or international level, from many perspectives such as culture, economy, politics, sociology and psychosociology.

Access Conditions

Eligibility criteria of the applicant

FRESH grants are accessible to holders of one of the following degrees:

- 120-credit master degree at least delivered by a higher education institution:

in the French-speaking Community of Belgium
in the Dutch-speaking Community of Belgium
in the German-speaking Community of Belgium
from the Royal Military Academy
in Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Estonia, Latvia or Lithuania

- another academic degree referred in Article 115 of the Decree of 7th November 2013 of the French-speaking Community of Belgium that defines the landscape of Higher Education and the academic studies organisation:

Master’s degree awarded outside Belgium, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Estonia, Latvia or Lithuania
Master’s degree of less than 120-credits
...

For further details, including any additional conditions that apply, please refer to the instrument's regulations. Important: only the conditions detailed in the regulations will be taken into consideration for administrative review. The elements listed on this page are provided for informational purposes only.

Eligibility criteria of the promoter

The research project is conducted under the supervision of a promoter within a university of the French Community of Belgium (Communauté française de Belgique - CFB).

To be a promoter of a FRESH application, one must:

either be permanently or provisionally appointed to an academic or scientific position within the institution;
either carry out a Ulysse Incentive Grant for Mobility in Scientific Research (Mandat d’Impulsion scientifique – MISU);
either carry out a FED-tWIN mandate.

For more information on promoter eligibility, please see the instrument's regulations. Important: only the conditions detailed in the regulations will be taken into consideration for administrative review. The elements listed on this page are provided for informational purposes only.

Funding characteristics

Duration

Ph.D. researchers can be granted successively with a grant twice maximum. The maximum duration of the 1^st Grant is 27 months. The maximum duration of the 2^nd Grant is 21 months.

The duration of the 1^st Grant may be reduced to 15 months if the applicant applies to a FRESH Grant after one year of Ph.D.

Amount

The amount of the grant is specified on the F.R.S.-FNRS website.

Operating credit

FRESH Grantees receive an operating credit, which is under the responsibility of their promoter.

For more information on the eligible costs under this credit, please consult the financial guide.

Submission of an application

Procedure

Submitting an application is done online on the e-space platform.

The application must be drafted in French or English.

Timeline

Opening of the call: 02-07-2026
Closing of the call:
- Applicant validation: 25-08-2026
- Promoter validation: 01-09-2026
- Validation of the rectoral authorities: 07-09-2026
Evaluation: October-November
Funding decision: December
Start date of grants: 01-10-2026