Belgium ASEM-DUO Scholarships for Academic Exchange 2026-2027: Higher education schools in the Wallonia-Brussels Federation (FWB) and eligible Asia-Pacific countries can exchange students through the ASEM-DUO program. Instead of giving scholarships to single people, money is given to pairs of teachers or researchers who plan a joint mobility project.
Exchanges must happen between August 1, 2026, and August 31, 2027, and both schools must be directly involved in the work. This yearly program improves cooperation between institutions, encourages long-lasting academic partnerships, and encourages study collaborations across continents in all fields.
What Does the ASEM-DUO Grant Cover?
The ASEM-DUO scholarship offers a normal way to get money to cover the costs of traveling abroad.
- Grant for each pair: €7,000
- Distribution: It will be split between the two partners in a way that works for both of them (for example, €3,500 each).
- Goal: Pays for foreign travel and daily costs
- Exchange period: at least 18 days, up to 60 days (including trip days).
- Stay Format: It can be done in one long stay or split into two separate stays.
- Rule for per diems: they can’t be more than the total grant amount and must match the number of movement days
- Extra Costs: If needed, institutional or outside funds may help cover these costs.
The grant is split between the two people, and it is up to both of them to plan their exchange within the mobility time.
Eligibility Criteria: Who Can Apply?
The ASEM-DUO Scholarship is open to academic and scientific staff who meet the requirements set by their institutions and professions. Applicants need to:
- Put in an application as a pair of academic or science staff members.
- Australia, Bangladesh, Brunei, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Kazakhstan, South Korea, Laos, Malaysia, Mongolia, Myanmar, New Zealand, Pakistan, the Philippines, Russia, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam are some of the Asia-Pacific countries that can be partners. Both partners must be from FWB institutions.
- officially paid by their institutions (at least 50% work)
- Ideally, they have worked at their schools for at least three years.
- Represent colleges and universities that are legally recognized or accredited by higher education authorities
- Make sure that both schools have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) or plan to do so within two years.
- Work in any academic area (no limits on fields)
Note: Citizenship is not a selection criterion.
Not eligible:
- Students and people getting PhDs
- Chair professors or honored professors
- Helpers in the classroom
Exceptions may apply for colleges of arts, subject to case-by-case review.
Additional participation rules:
- Exchange must occur between the same two institutions
- Candidates may submit multiple applications with different partners, but only one may be selected per year
- A duo may apply twice for the same project but receive funding only once
- Previous ASEM-DUO beneficiaries within the last three years have lower priority
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Benefits of Belgium ASEM-DUO Scholarships for Academic Exchange:
- Makes international collaboration stronger: The scholarship helps professors and researchers build long-lasting academic relationships between institutions in Belgium and the Asia-Pacific region. This encourages people from different continents to work together and share their knowledge.
- Gives Full Funding: The €7,000 grant covers all costs related to foreign travel and lodging, so participants and their institutions don’t have to worry about money.
- Supports Joint Research Projects: The program gives grants to academic pairs and pushes them to work together on project design. This leads to new research and the sharing of academic outputs across borders.
- Helps with professional growth: participants experience a range of academic settings, grow their professional networks, and learn new skills in areas such as teaching, study, and working with other institutions.
- Flexible Exchange Length: The mobility period can be anywhere from 18 to 60 days, and the stay can be split into two parts. This lets participants plan exchanges that work with their project goals and schedules.
- Open to All Fields: The scholarship encourages interaction across disciplines, which leads to a wide range of knowledge-sharing and new ways of working together in academia.
Application Process for Belgium ASEM-DUO Scholarships for Academic Exchange 2026-2027:
Submit your application via ASEM-DUO Scholarships 2026–2027
Deadline: Friday, 13 March 2026 at midday
Can the exchange duration be split into multiple periods?
Yes, the mobility period can be completed in one continuous stay or divided into two periods, providing flexibility for scheduling research, teaching, or institutional collaboration activities between the partner institutions.
Are all academic disciplines eligible to participate in ASEM-DUO?
Yes, the program is open to all academic fields without restrictions, encouraging interdisciplinary engagement, innovative research, and cross-continental collaboration between Belgian and Asia-Pacific higher education institutions.
Can previous ASEM-DUO beneficiaries apply again immediately?
Applicants who received funding within the last three years are considered lower priority, although duos may apply for different projects or future exchanges once eligible under the program rules.
