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title: "Research Foundation – Flanders (FWO)"
chunk: 1/1
source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Research_Foundation_–_Flanders_(FWO)"
category: "reference"
tags: "science, encyclopedia"
date_saved: "2026-05-05T04:35:01.477032+00:00"
instance: "kb-cron"
---

The Research Foundation – Flanders (FWO; Dutch: Fonds voor Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek – Vlaanderen) is a Belgian public research council, based in Brussels. The Flemish research council aims to sponsor ground-breaking research and innovation. Much of this work involves supporting researchers and undertakings in association with the universities and institutes of Flanders, including Ghent University, University of Leuven, University of Antwerp and Free University of Brussels, among others.


== History ==
The FWO is a successor to the Belgian National Fund for Scientific Research (NFWO / FNRS), which had been founded in 1928, after the call from King Albert I of Belgium for the promotion of research and innovation.
In 2006, the National Fund for Scientific Research (NFWO / FNRS) divided into two organisations: the FWO, for the Flemish community, and the F.R.S.-FNRS (French: Fonds de la Recherche Scientifique – FNRS) for the French-speaking region. A self-governing organization, the Research Foundation – Flanders is located in Brussels and financed by the Flemish government, the federal government, and the national lottery, with further support coming from partner institutes and companies.


== Function ==
The FWO supports research in science, engineering, and the humanities through a variety of frameworks. It offers competitive funding for doctoral and postdoctoral fellowships as well as for research grants, specific projects, and infrastructure. Moreover, the FWO funds international mobility and collaboration. Together with a number of partners, it also bestows scientific prizes.


== Organisation ==


=== Regular funding ===
The FWO organises a total of 31 expert panels, 30 specialist and one interdisciplinary. These panels advise the Senate and the Board of Trustees on matters of funding.

Biological sciences
Molecular and cellular biology
Functional biology
Biodiversity and ecology
Applied biological sciences
Humanities
Languages
Art, art history, and literature
History and archaeology
Theology and religious studies
Philosophy and ethics
Social sciences
Sciences of law and criminology
Economics, business economics and management
Psychology, pedagogy, didactics, and social work
Social, political, and communication sciences
Medical sciences
Pharmaceutical sciences and medical biochemistry
Genetics, functional genome research, bio-informatics science, developmental biology
Microbiology and immunology
Cancer research
Neuroscience, clinical neurology, psychiatry, musculoskeletal research, rheumatology, orthopaedics, and dermatology
Gastroenterology, hepatology, endocrinology, metabolism and nutrition, reproduction, and urogenital system
Health sciences
Science and technology
Mathematical sciences
Physics
Condensed matter and physical chemistry
Chemistry
Informatics and knowledge technology
Chemical engineering, material sciences
Energy, electrical engineering, electronics, and mechanics
Sciences of the earth and space
Science and technology of construction and the build environment
Interdisciplinary


=== Special committees ===
The FWO also organises special committees to advise on support for international collaboration, research infrastructure, and other special mandates.


== International profile ==
The FWO is a member of Science Europe and collaborates in many European research organisations.
In addition, it has created partnerships with numerous counterparts across the globe, such as the French Centre national de la recherche scientifique (CNRS), Dutch Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research (NWO), Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, Polish Academy of Sciences, and National Natural Science Foundation of China.


== Examples of projects supported ==


== See also ==
Funding of science
National Fund for Scientific Research


== References ==


== External links ==
Official website
History of the FWO