Have you recently defended your PhD, MSc, or professional BSc thesis on a marine topic? Then you still have until 31 December to compete for one of the VLIZ Marine Science Awards 2025. Now with a small twist in the participation regulations.
With these awards, the Flanders Marine Institute seeks to honour outstanding marine research, encourage young marine professionals to continue their efforts in the future, and promote marine science.
The award winning ceremony will take place during the VLIZ Marine Science Day 2026 on Wednesday 4 March 2026 at De Grote Post in Ostende. .
In consultation with the VLIZ Scientific Committee, the awards have been further professionalised and the regulations revised. The updated framework is ready, and the rules can be consulted on the VLIZ website:
- VLIZ North Sea Award 2025
- VLIZ Master Thesis Awards 2025
- VLIZ Professionele Bachelor Thesis Award 2025
What has changed in the conditions?
- Since the VLIZ Science Awards were not organised in 2024, theses completed in the past three academic years (2023–2024–2025) are exceptionally eligible this year.
- From this edition onward, the judging of the VLIZ Science Awards is in the hands of the VLIZ Scientific Committee.
- The first round of evaluation will be based on the submitted summary; only afterwards will the full thesis/publication be reviewed. It is therefore well worth paying extra attention to your summary when submitting.
Reminder of earlier changes (since the 2023 edition):
- For the North Sea Award, candidates from all scientific disciplines (humanities, natural sciences, and social sciences) are welcome to apply. The research must focus on the structure, functioning, and/or sustainable management of coastal and marine ecosystems, including dunes and estuaries. There is no longer a geographical focus limited to the North Sea.
- For the Professional BSc and the two MSc Thesis Awards, candidates may come from any Belgian educational institution, or be Belgian students enrolled at (inter)national institutions. Previously, eligibility was restricted to Flemish universities, university colleges, and students. One of the two MSc Thesis Awards is reserved for climate-related research.
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. Laureates.
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. Laureates.
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. Laureates.
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. Laureates.
More information about this opportunity here.