Fulbright-Schuman Distinguished Scholar Award at the College of Europe (CoE - Bruges, Belgium)
Multi-Country
European Union
Multi-country
Belgium
Number of recipients
In addition to being a prestigious academic exchange program, the Fulbright Program is designed to expand and strengthen relationships between the people of the United States and citizens of other nations and to promote international understanding and cooperation. To support this mission, Fulbright Scholars may be asked to give public talks, mentor students, and otherwise engage with the host community, in addition to their primary activities.
One American scholar will be selected as a Fulbright-Schuman Distinguished Scholar at the College of Europe (CoE) in Bruges, Belgium during the 2025-2026 academic year. The scholar selected for this award is expected to conduct their own research program while also teaching a course at CoE, as agreed with the hosting department. In addition, the selected candidate may be asked to co-supervise postgraduate students and to contribute to the academic life of the host institution through the organization of other activities (e.g., special lectures, extracurricular activities).
Please note that this award rotates among different host institutions: in future years, it may be hosted by the European University Institute in Florence, Italy.
College of Europe in Bruges, Belgium.
Although this scholar will be primarily based in Belgium, this award is part of the multi-country Fulbright Schuman Program, which is administered by the Fulbright Commission in Brussels and jointly financed by the U.S. State Department and the Directorate-General for Education and Culture of the European Commission. The aim of this program is to provide opportunities for Americans and Europeans to study and conduct research on the transatlantic relationship. The program funds graduate and postgraduate study, research, and lecture proposals in the field of US-EU relations, EU policy, or EU institutions for interested American and EU citizens.
Applications will be considered for one semester (i.e. three to five months) and should occur either between September 2025 and January 2026 or between February 2026 and June 2026.
The Fulbright Schuman Program is administered by the Fulbright Commission in Belgium and is jointly financed by the U.S. Department of State and the Directorate-General for Education and Culture of the European Commission. Although research can be in many different fields, only candidates who wish to study, research, or lecture on a topic relevant to U.S.-EU relations, EU policy, or EU institutions are eligible for this award. Possible subject areas include, but are not limited to: economics, history, law, political science, public policy, and sociology. Candidates should consider how their proposed research fits into the curriculum and research done at College of Europe.
All applicants must meet the Program eligibility requirements (click to review the requirements).
Applicants are highly encouraged to provide a letter of invitation from the College of Europe in order to ensure that their proposal would be accepted by CoE and fit into one of the subject areas taught at the College. Scholars may apply for this program without a letter of invitation, but they run the risk of disqualification if CoE says the research project does not fit into its curriculum.
You may be asked to participate in an interview as part of the in-country selection process.
$4,330 per month
Note: Grant will be awarded in euro (€4,000); USD value may fluctuate.
The selected candidate will also be offered housing by the College of Europe for the duration of their grant, valued at $1,087 (€1,000) per month.
One-time travel allowance of $2,165 (€2,000 - for grantee only).
Note: Grant will be awarded in euro; USD value may fluctuate.
Excluding rent, the cost of living in Belgium is on par with or slightly higher than most areas of the United States. However, rent is on average lower in Belgium. You can find a list of average prices here, including the option to compare cost of living to where you are currently located. Compared to most of the United States, these are some major differences:
- Healthcare is usually quite affordable: an appointment with a general practitioner would normally cost around €25 ($27).
- Public transportation is available across the country with frequent and affordable travel available between cities by train and within cities via metro, trams or bus. A single ticket on public transportation lines ranges from about €1.6-€2.5 ($1.8-$2.8), and a trip on a train from Brussels to most Belgian cities costs less than €15 ($17), or much less for those with a train pass (10 tickets that can be used between any Belgian stations) or people younger than 26.
- Rent in Belgium is much lower than in most parts of the United States. A one-bedroom apartment can be rented in most parts of Belgium for around €800.
Before and during the grant period, the successful candidate will be supported by the Fulbright Commission in Brussels. Grantees are incorporated into local programming, including in-country orientation, cultural activities, and alumni associations.
All participants in the Fulbright Schuman Program who are still on their grant at the time of the event will be invited to join Fulbright grantees from across Europe at the annual Fulbright Seminar on the European Union and NATO, hosted by the Fulbright Commission in Brussels, in February 2026. Highlights of the annual seminar include visits to the European Court of Justice, the European Commission, the U.S. Mission to the EU, and NATO Headquarters. Past participants have also had an opportunity to learn more about the culture and history of Belgium and Luxembourg through tours of Luxembourg City, Brussels, and Bruges as well as visits to the Bastogne War Museum and College of Europe. The Fulbright Commission will cover the cost of participation in the seminar as well as the cost of travel from the host country to/from Brussels.
Final grant amounts will be determined prior to the start of the academic year and are subject to the availability of funds. The United States Department of State and the Fulbright Commission in the host country reserve the right to alter, without notice, participating countries, number of awards and allowances.
The Fulbright-Schuman European Union Program offers grants for policy-oriented research proposals that address topics of common importance for the US-EU relationship and/or EU affairs and are tenable in one or more European Union Member State(s).* Proposals are invited in a wide range of fields relevant to US-EU relations, EU policy, or EU institutions. In addition to traditional academic scholars, professionals such as policy-makers, policy analysts and researchers at think tanks, non-profit organizations (NGOs), associations, learned societies, foundations, decision-makers at state or federal government offices, and individuals in industry or the media with relevant professional experience are also encouraged to apply.
Fulbright-Schuman awards include: the Fulbright-Schuman Distinguished Scholar at the College of Europe in Bruges, Belgium, the Fulbright-Schuman Postdoctoral Award at the European University Institute in Florence, Italy (see awards in Italy), the generalized Fulbright-Schuman European Union Affairs Program, and the Fulbright-Schuman Innovation Award.
Visit our Scholar Directory to view and search all Fulbright alumni. You can also learn more about Fulbright Alumni Ambassadors.
For more information about this particular award, interested applicants should consider contacting the Fulbright Commission in Brussels at info@fulbright.be or via the links below.
Applicants should note that the responsibility of obtaining a visa (both for the grantee and for any dependents) lies with the applicant, not Fulbright Commission staff. Grantees should therefore carefully look into visa issues in advance and allow plenty of time for the application process.