VLIZ Scientific Awards
The VLIZ Science Awards honour the work of (young or experienced) marine researchers. By doing so, VLIZ wants to encourage them to continue making high-quality scientific contributions in the future and to promote marine science research in Flanders and in the North Sea.
North Sea Award
VLIZ presents an annual award at the VLIZ Marine Science Day to encourage innovative fundamental or applied research. This research should focus on studying the structure, functioning and/or sustainable management of the coastal and marine ecosystem including dunes and estuaries. All science disciplines and categories (alpha, beta and gamma) are eligible.
Regulations for the North Sea Award can be consulted here. Please submit your application through the online form by 31 December 2025.
Master Thesis Award
Every year, the VLIZ awards two prizes to crown graduation works at a Belgian university, or graduation works by Belgian students at a foreign educational institution. Both fundamental and applied research topics in all branches of marine sciences are eligible. One of the two prizes is reserved for a climate-oriented thesis.
Regulations for the Master Thesis Awards can be consulted here. Please submit your application through the online form by 31 December 2025.
Professional Bachelor Thesis Award
Every year, the VLIZ awards a prize to crown a professional bachelor's thesis at a Belgian college of higher education (bachelor's programme), or a professional bachelor's thesis by a Belgian student at an international educational institution. Both fundamental and applied research topics in all branches of marine sciences are eligible.
Regulations for the Professional Bachelor Thesis Award can be consulted here. Please submit your application through the online form by 31 December 2025.
Dr. Edouard Delcroix Incentive Award
HYDRO vzw and the Flanders Marine Institute annually organise the Dr. Edouard Delcroix Incentive Award, worth 2,500 EUR. Since 2020, this way a young scientist at the start of his/her research career is awarded for scientific research carried out in the broad context of the ocean and human health (OHH). The prize was established in honour of Dr. Edouard Delcroix (1891-1973), Belgian orthopaedic surgeon and pioneer in hydrotherapy.
The call for applications for the Dr. Edouard Delcroix Encouragement Award opens in October 2025. Eligible candidates are those who have recently (in 2023 or later) obtained their Master’s degree. The detailed regulations can be found here. Candidates can register via the online form, accompanied by a CV, a master thesis and/or a scientific publication, a summary and a motivation letter for future research within the scope of OHH.
Hydro vzw also annually supports the realisation of an original marine research idea through the Dr. Edouard Delcroix research grant worth EUR 10,000, read more via this link.