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I soon felt like our interaction would change something in both our professional contexts. The enthusiasm and ambition of the Open Doors fellows were energizing!
Prof. , Dr. Ir. Sarah Garré
Senior Scientist, Plant Sciences, Flanders Research Institute for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (ILVO)
What is the purpose of the short research stay in Belgium?

The research focus of the receiving Institution in Belgium should be agro-biotechnology, plant breeding, molecular biology & genetics, microbiology, chemical ecology, plant & soil health, livestock and aquaculture. The ODFP will prioritize the selection of applicants that will accelerate their research outputs thanks to their ability to:

  1. Learn, in a hands-on fashion, new techniques & experimental methodologies relevant to their research that are routinely used in Belgium labs but are at their early stages in their hosting institutions in Africa.
  2. Conduct experiments and analyses (in vivo, in vitro or in silico) with equipment, software, hardware or research facilities in Belgium that are not accessible to the fellows at their African hosting institutions.
How does the program benefits the Belgian hosting labs?

Joining the ODFP will help the Belgian research group to:

  • Broadening the understanding of your group on the ongoing agricultural research in Africa and the scientific opportunities and challenges faced in the continent by scientists.
  • Expand its network and create long-term synergies between research institutions in Africa and Belgium working in complementary research lines.
  • Promoting gender inclusiveness and diversity in the receiving institute.
  • Generate positive cross-cultural interactions in the laboratory.
  • Enhance the capacity, mentoring and supervisory skills of the staff in the research group.
What do we offer to the hosting labs in Belgium?
  • Complete financial sponsorship of our fellows for 8 weeks (minimum) to 12 weeks (maximum), including a bench fee, following VLIR-UOS guidelines, per fellow for the receiving laboratory.
  • Whenever needed, for those researchers opting for Modality A, the VIB-IPBO team will conduct active scouting through our network to match candidates with the proposed project.
  • Upon receipt of applications (both for Modalities A & B), VIB-IPBO will filter and assess the suitability of the fellows for selecting the most suitable candidates for each receiving institution in Belgium to maximize the impact of this collaboration.
  • Full coordination support to arrange travel, logistics, and accommodation of the fellows while in Belgium.
  • Follow up support with the fellows, their institute in Africa and the receiving laboratories in Belgium to generate future opportunities to strengthen collaboration and face-to-face interactions.