Thank you for your interest in joining the Belgian Science Diplomacy Society's first Young Belgian Leaders in Science cohort of academic year 2026-2027!
What's in it for you?
- You will have the opportunity to develop a small project related to science in our society, and
explore the relationship between science, society and international cooperation through
discussions, talks, governmental visits and
networking sessions.
- Furthermore, you will be part of a
community of Belgium's future leaders in science - something similar does not yet exist. You will build lasting connections with others committed to Belgium’s scientific future.
- In addition, you will
learn from our network of Fellows: experienced diplomats and professionals who can share their insights and engage with you through discussions and activities.
What's in it for us?
We believe that the field of 'science diplomacy' is just getting started, and we need bright young minds to shape its future. By bringing young talents together, we hope to better learn how we can harness science for positive societal transformation in Belgium and beyond. The results of your projects will be disseminated to government instances (many of whom will have Fellows in our Society) such as the Flemish government, the Belgian government and European Union.
Who are we looking for?
We are looking for individuals who believe that science is more than just doing research - it's also about how we can make Belgium and the world a better place through conducting research. Hence, we welcome students who already demonstrate initiative,
student leadership or societal engagement next to their studies, alongside young professionals from different disciplines who want to contribute to science diplomacy or science policy. We are interested in your curiosity and willingness to meet other like-minded individuals. Previous experience in (science) diplomacy is not required. If you are unsure whether you are a suitable candidate, we have one piece of advice: just apply! You need to be able to speak English, Dutch or French.
Your commitment
* You will develop or contribute to at least one project during the year, likely in a small team.
* Projects should try to make a concrete contribution to science diplomacy or science policy and include at least one activity that brings the cohort together, such as a talk, workshop or working visit. Your own interests and expertise will help determine its direction.
* Don't worry! Our team and our Fellows will help you in every aspect of this process.
* We expect to meet once a month (an evening or weekend afternoon). If there is a lot of enthusiasm, we can meet once every two weeks. Meetings will likely take place in a Belgian governmental building in Brussel, where we get our spaces to meet and organise events. You can expect to spend about one hour each week on your project.
