Vocatio Foundation - Vocatio Grants

Vocatio grant

You will receive 10,000 EUR to help you pursue a passion or a life project that you have already started. The amount will be paid out in two instalments of 5,000 EUR each. You will receive the first instalment shortly after the awards ceremony in June, and the second after submitting a progress report. You can use the money for further training, specialisation, research, equipment, travel or networking to help advance your project. You will also be assigned a personal mentor – an experienced individual who will provide you with personalised advice and help you build a network of contacts. Furthermore, you will become part of a network comprising over 800 former award winners, jury members and board members. The Belgian foundation Vocatio in Brussels awards the scholarship every year; it is tax-free in Belgium. The scholarship is not intended for a standard Bachelor’s or Master’s degree programme.

Who can apply

• Age: On 31 December of the year in which you submit your application, you must be at least 18 years old and no older than 30 years. There are no exceptions.
• Where you're from: You are a Belgian national (residing in Belgium or abroad) or a foreign national who has been registered in Belgium for at least five years and lives there.
• No similar scheme at home: If there is a relevant foundation in your country, you must submit your application there. French nationals, for example, should contact the Fondation Marcel Bleustein-Blanchet.
• Field: Your project falls into one of six categories: medicine, natural sciences and technology, humanities and social sciences, performing arts, visual arts or crafts.
• A real vocation, not just an idea: You’ve already achieved tangible results, and this project is your main focus.
• Link to Belgium: Your project creates social value and makes a long-term contribution to Belgium.
• Financial need: The next steps cannot be financed in the usual way.
• You apply as a person: Not as a business or a charity, and no more than three times in a lifetime.

How to apply

Applications must be submitted via the online form on the Vocatio website. The application period runs from September to November. Six specialist juries will shortlist the candidates in January. In a final round in February and March, they will assess a short written presentation, a short pitch video and an oral defence. The winners will be announced at the awards ceremony in June. The next call for applications will run from September to November 2026.

How realistic are your chances?

This funding scheme is narrowly defined: you must fall within the scope of 30, have a connection to Belgium, and already be able to demonstrate concrete progress on a project that benefits society. This rules out anyone who merely has an idea, meaning there are fewer applicants competing for the funding than there are for open study grants. If you clearly fit into one of the six areas and can demonstrate both your achievements and your financial need, your chances are good. A convincing financial plan and a clear project description are more important than a polished CV.