Are you a professor or researcher looking to develop a joint project with a colleague from the Asia-Pacific region? The DUO-Belgium/Wallonia-Brussels programme is now open for applications for the 2026–2027 academic year. Implemented by the Belgian Academy of Research and Higher Education (ARES), this mobility scheme aims to promote balanced academic exchanges between higher education institutions of the Wallonia-Brussels Federation (FWB) and 22 Asia-Pacific countries , by supporting pairs of professors wishing to develop a joint project. Selected applicants will receive a lump-sum grant of €7,000 , to be shared between the two partners, to cover travel and subsistence costs. Mobilities must take place between 1 August 2026 and 31 August 2027 . Applications must be submitted between 19 January 2026 and 13 March 2026 at noon .
DUO-Belgium/Wallonia-Brussels program overview
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Grant amount | €7,000 per mobility project , to be shared between the two professors. |
| Application period | From 19 January 2026 to 13 March 2026 at 12:00 (Brussels time). |
| Programme type | Bilateral exchange of professors and researchers between an FWB university/college and an Asia-Pacific institution. |
| Target audience | Paid academic or scientific staff (full-time or at least 50%); nationality is not a selection criterion. |
| Mobility duration | 18 to 60 days (including travel), with the possibility of splitting the stay into two periods. |
| Implementation period | Between 1 August 2026 and 31 August 2027 . |
| Eligible countries | FWB institutions partnered with 22 Asia-Pacific countries : 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. |
About the DUO-Belgium/Wallonia-Brussels programme
Launched in 2014 , the ASEM-DUO Belgium/Wallonia-Brussels programme is an initiative of the Wallonia-Brussels Federation within the Asia-Europe dialogue framework. Its objective is to foster exchanges between professors and researchers by building sustainable and balanced partnerships. Selected projects must therefore involve a pair : on one side, a member of the academic staff from an FWB institution, and on the other, a colleague from a university located in one of the 22 eligible Asia-Pacific countries . The grant covers international travel and a subsistence allowance , but above all it is based on the commitment of partner institutions to collaborate on a scientific, educational or artistic project . This is a short-term mobility, lasting a few weeks, with long-term impact. Applications are assessed on their ability to strengthen cooperation between institutions.
DUO-Belgium/Wallonia-Brussels Grant amount and conditions of use
- €7,000 lump sum per duo : awarded per mobility project and freely shared between the two beneficiaries (for example €3,500 each). This amount mainly covers travel costs and subsistence allowances .
- Framed mobility : stays may start no earlier than 1 August 2026 and must end no later than 31 August 2027 . The total duration per participant must be between 18 and 60 days , including travel, and the mobility may be split into two stays , provided the cumulative duration meets the minimum requirement.
- Post-mobility obligations : within two months of their return, beneficiaries must submit a detailed report to ARES describing the visit, activities carried out, results achieved, institutional impact and overall assessment of the programme. This report is mandatory to close the grant.
Who can apply?
To be eligible for the DUO-Belgium/Wallonia-Brussels, applications must meet all of the following criteria:
- Duo of two professors or researchers : one academic or scientific staff member from a recognised higher education institution of the Wallonia-Brussels Federation (universities, university colleges, schools of arts) and one staff member from an institution located in one of the 22 Asia-Pacific countries listed above . Both institutions must be accredited by the relevant authorities.
- Professional status : each applicant must be employed by their institution and work at least 50%. Emeritus professors, honorary staff and teaching assistants , as well as students and PhD candidates , are not eligible. Exceptions may apply for schools of arts.
- Institutional cooperation : partner institutions must have a cooperation agreement, or alternatively submit a letter of intent signed by the authorities of both institutions confirming their intention to sign an agreement within two years.
- Open disciplines : all academic or artistic disciplines are eligible. The two members of the duo may come from different fields.
- Nationality-neutral : citizenship is not a selection criterion.
- Funding history : an applicant may submit several applications with different partners, but only one application can be selected per year. Projects already funded by ASEM-DUO or other bodies must be declared, and new applications must justify the complementarity of funding. Applicants who received a DUO grant in the past three years will be given lower priority.
How to apply for the DUO-Belgium/Wallonia-Brussels program
- Define your project and identify a partner . Clarify the theme of your mobility and potential synergies. If you do not yet have a partner, contact your institution’s international relations office or consult the Study in Belgium website to identify suitable FWB institutions.
- Check eligibility criteria and prepare documents :
- Application form 2026/27 , completed and signed by both applicants (available on the ARES or ASEM-DUO website).
- Cooperation agreement or letter of intent co-signed by the authorities of both institutions.
- Curriculum vitae of each applicant, limited to five pages and highlighting experience relevant to the project.
- Compile a single PDF file containing all required documents.
- Submit the application :
- By email : send the PDF file to asem-duo@ares-ac.be via the designated contact person indicated in the form (for example, the international relations officer).
- By post (only if email submission is impossible): send the file to ARES – Directorate of International Relations, Rue Royale 180, 1000 Brussels.
- Respect the deadline : applications must be submitted between 19 January 2026 and 13 March 2026 at 12:00 . Late submissions will not be accepted. ARES confirms receipt within three days; if not, contact international@ares-ac.be .
- Selection process : ARES checks administrative eligibility, then an independent jury evaluates and ranks the applications. Results are announced on 1 July 2026 .
- Sign the tripartite agreement : selected candidates must sign an agreement with ARES by 30 August 2026 . Once signed, they may organise their stay.
- Prepare your mobility : obtain your visa if required (a grant certificate is provided by ARES), confirm exact dates and book travel. Final dates must be communicated by 30 September 2026 .
- Complete the exchange and submit the report : after returning, submit your mission report by 30 October 2027 .
Selection criteria
Applications are assessed on a cumulative basis according to:
- Impact on bilateral relations : contribution to developing or strengthening partnerships between the institutions.
- Degree of internationalisation and potential for future collaboration (networks, diversity of beneficiaries).
- Excellence and relevance of the applicants’ profiles : publications, experience, exhibitions or projects linked to the partner.
- Complementarity of the projects submitted by the two partners; complementarity is an asset but not mandatory if projects are identical.
- Justification of the proposed duration for each stay.
The jury is composed of representatives from the five universities, university colleges and schools of arts of the Wallonia-Brussels Federation. Members do not evaluate applicants from their own institution. Final decisions are validated by the ARES Board of Directors and may be subject to administrative appeal.
Full timeline
| Step | Date / period |
|---|---|
| Call publication | 19 January 2026 : applications open |
| Application deadline | 13 March 2026 at 12:00 (Brussels time) |
| Evaluation and results | 1 July 2026 : notification of results |
| Agreement signature | 30 August 2026 : signing of the agreement with ARES |
| Mobility period | Between 1 August 2026 and 31 August 2027 |
| Deadline to confirm final dates | 30 September 2026 : submission of final dates to ARES |
| Report submission deadline | 30 October 2027 : receipt of mission reports by ARES |
Tips to maximise your chances
- Focus on cooperation : choose a partner with whom you already have links or complementary scientific interests. Projects demonstrating a lasting impact on institutional relations are rated more highly.
- Highlight your academic strengths : showcase publications, research projects, exhibitions or previous missions. Applicants are assessed on the excellence and relevance of their background.
- Support your institution : explain how your project contributes to your institution’s internationalisation strategy and long-term networking.
- Justify the duration carefully : propose a realistic and detailed schedule for your stay (18 to 60 days) and explain why this duration is necessary to achieve your objectives.
- Prepare documents in advance : ensure CVs and letters of intent are up to date and compliant. Electronic signatures are accepted if needed.
- Respect the timeline : do not wait until the last minute to submit. Late applications are not accepted.
Useful resources
- Official DUO-Belgium/Wallonia-Brussels page : Programme details and full conditions
- Application form and regulations (2026–2027) : available on the ARES and ASEM-DUO websites.
- List of FWB institutions : Study in Belgium .
- Contacts : asem-duo@ares-ac.be / international@ares-ac.be – phone: +32 (0)2 225 45 71.
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