Vanhove-Vonnêche Foundation - Vanhove-Vonnêche Foundation Grants

Vanhove-Vonnêche Foundation grant

You will receive a one-off grant of 3,000 EUR to fund a postgraduate course in the conservation and restoration of historic buildings, both secular and ecclesiastical. This is a third-cycle programme, i.e. it follows on from a Master’s degree and is offered at a higher education institution. The grant covers a study period of 12 months. It is provided by the Vanhove-Vonnêche Foundation, a Belgian charitable foundation affiliated with the Royal Academy of Belgium. The Foundation supports architects who are training in the restoration of historic monuments.

Who can apply

• Qualification: You are a qualified architect or architectural engineer.
• What you study next: You would like to undertake a postgraduate course in the field of heritage conservation and restoration.
• Where you study: The course must take place at a higher education institution. You can choose which one.
• Nationality: Belgian nationals, EU citizens and people of other nationalities are equally welcome to apply.

How to apply

Please submit your application by 15 September to the ‘Classe des Arts’ at the Royal Academy of Belgium in Brussels. Please enclose with your application your CV, a cover letter of no more than two pages including examples of your most recent restoration work, the name of the institution where you wish to undertake your training, and a letter of recommendation. A selection panel will make the decision, and the result will be announced at a public meeting, usually in November.

How realistic are your chances?

This scholarship is aimed at a small target group: you must be a qualified architect or architectural engineer wishing to undertake a specialised postgraduate course in the field of historic building restoration. Very few people apply for it. If you clearly fit this profile and can demonstrate relevant restoration work, your chances are good. The selection panel may decide not to award the scholarship if no applicant is deemed suitable; therefore, compelling evidence of your work is of the utmost importance.