Royal Academy for Overseas Sciences of Belgium - Prize for Tropical Geography Yola Verhasselt

Prize for Tropical Geography Yola Verhasselt

You will receive a travel credit of 2,500 EUR grant for field research in the field of tropical geography. The grant covers the actual costs of your trip: your return economy-class flight from Belgium to the overseas research site, accommodation, local transport, small equipment and research materials. It is not a salary. The Royal Academy of Overseas Sciences of Belgium (RAOS/KAOWARSOM) awards this grant every three years. It is named after Professor Yola Verhasselt, who served as Secretary-General of the Academy from 1995 to 2005.

Who can apply

• Degree: You have obtained a PhD in Geography within the last 5 years, or you are currently enrolled on a PhD programme.
• University link: You work at a Belgian university or research institute.
• Project: Your project is in tropical geography, meaning field work in a tropical region.
• Recommendation: A research supervisor or mentor with a PhD in Geography (or an equivalent qualification) will write a letter of recommendation for your project.
• Nationality: Applicants of all nationalities are welcome to apply. What matters is your connection to a Belgian higher education institution, not your passport.
• Exclusion: Members of the Royal Academy of Overseas Sciences are ineligible for the prize.

How to apply

Send five copies of your project dossier to the Academy secretariat in Brussels before 1 February of the award year. The dossier includes your project plan, your motivation, proof you work with local scientists at the site, a budget, your CV and your promoter's written assessment. A committee reviews the projects. The Academy's Section of Human Sciences then votes on the winner in May.