Ghent University Special Research Fund Doctoral Scholarships 2027 | PhD Funding for Global South Candidates in Belgium

The Ghent University Special Research Fund Doctoral Scholarships 2027 offer an exciting opportunity for promising doctoral researchers from eligible Global South countries to pursue a PhD through an international research collaboration between Belgium and their home country or another eligible Global South country.

Through its Special Research Fund (BOF), Ghent University awards 15 doctoral sandwich scholarships annually to candidates who wish to conduct part of their PhD research at Ghent University in Belgium and the remaining research at a partner university or research centre in the Global South.

The Ghent University Doctoral Scholarships 2027 provide funding for 24 months of PhD research at Ghent University, with an additional 24 months of full-time funding required from the partner institution in the Global South. The programme is designed to strengthen international research collaboration, support emerging researchers, and encourage research that addresses relevant challenges in both the Global South and the Global North.

Applications for the Ghent University Special Research Fund Doctoral Scholarships 2027 must be submitted by 9 February 2027.

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Ghent University Doctoral Scholarships 2027: Overview

• Scholarship Name: Special Research Fund (BOF) Doctoral Scholarships for Candidates from the Global South
• Host Institution: Ghent University
• Funding Programme: Special Research Fund (BOF)
• Study Level: Doctoral Degree (PhD)
• Scholarship Type: Doctoral Sandwich Scholarship
• Number of Scholarships: 15 annually
• Research Duration: 48 months
• Funding at Ghent University: 24 months
• Funding in the Global South: 24 months through mandatory co-funding
• Host Country: Belgium
• Partner Location: Eligible countries in the Global South
• Research Fields: All academic fields, with preference for research relevant to the South–North context
• First Research Stay: Between 1 October 2027 and 28 February 2028
• Application Deadline: 9 February 2027
• Exception Request Deadline: 15 January 2027, where applicable
• Expected Results: From 12 May 2027 onwards
• Official Website: https://www.ugent.be/en/research/funding/bof

1. About the Ghent University Special Research Fund Doctoral Scholarships 2027

The Ghent University Special Research Fund Doctoral Scholarships 2027 support doctoral candidates from selected Global South countries who want to undertake collaborative PhD research at Ghent University and a partner university or research centre in the Global South.

The scholarship follows a sandwich PhD model, meaning that doctoral candidates divide their research period between Belgium and their partner institution in the Global South.

Ghent University funds the 24-month research period in Belgium, while the partner institution must guarantee full-time funding for the remaining 24 months of research in the Global South.

This arrangement allows researchers to benefit from international academic supervision, research facilities, professional networks, and collaboration between institutions in different regions.

The programme also seeks to encourage more female researchers to apply and gives preference to projects whose objectives align with the needs of beneficiaries, opportunities for collaboration, global priorities, and relevant partner and donor policies.

2. Who Can Apply for the Ghent University Doctoral Scholarship?

The Ghent University Doctoral Scholarships 2027 are intended for promising researchers at the beginning of their PhD journey who meet the programme’s nationality, enrolment, supervision, and funding requirements.

Nationality and country eligibility

Applicants must originate from and hold the nationality of one of the selected Global South countries listed in the official scholarship call.

Candidates should consult the official country list before preparing an application because eligibility is restricted to the countries selected for the 2027 call.

Official country list: https://www.ugent.be/nl/onderzoek/financiering/bof/dos/countrylist.pdf

PhD admission and enrolment

Applicants must be degree students who intend to obtain a PhD degree, or a joint PhD degree, at Ghent University.

Exchange students are not eligible for this doctoral scholarship.

The programme is primarily designed for candidates at the beginning of their doctoral research. Although some preliminary research may already have been completed, applicants must still require at least 36 months of doctoral research to finish their PhD when the fellowship starts on 1 October 2027.

Academic supervision

Every application must be jointly prepared by three parties:

• The doctoral candidate.
• A Ghent University professor who agrees to supervise the research.
• A supervisor at a partner university or research centre in the Global South.

Applicants must obtain the support of a Ghent University professor before submitting their application. Without this support, the application is not eligible.

Research field

The scholarship does not impose restrictions on the academic discipline. Candidates from different research fields may therefore be considered, provided that their proposed research meets the programme requirements.

However, preference is given to research proposals that demonstrate relevance to the South–North context and address meaningful research priorities, beneficiary needs, or opportunities for international collaboration.

3. Scholarship Benefits and Funding

The Ghent University Special Research Fund Doctoral Scholarships 2027 provide support for doctoral research conducted across Belgium and the Global South.

PhD research funding

Selected candidates receive funding for a total of 48 months of doctoral research, divided into two periods:

• 24 months at Ghent University: Financed by the university’s Special Research Fund.
• 24 months in the Global South: Financed through mandatory co-funding from the partner institution.

The partner university or research centre must provide a written guarantee confirming that the candidate will receive a full-time local PhD scholarship or salary for the required 24-month period.

Applicants should note that the published call describes the funding arrangement but does not specify a universal monthly stipend amount for the Ghent University portion. Candidates should consult the official call documents for the applicable financial details.

Research and travel support

The programme also provides financial support for research-related operational costs and travel.

The Ghent University supervisor receives:

• A bench fee of €310 per month for each month of research conducted at Ghent University.
• A travel budget of €8,000 to cover part of the operational costs and travel expenses of the doctoral candidate and both the Ghent University and local supervisors.

These amounts are allocated to the supervisor for the stated research and travel purposes. They should not be interpreted as additional personal cash payments to the doctoral candidate.

International research experience

Successful applicants can benefit from:

• Research experience at Ghent University in Belgium.
• Academic collaboration with supervisors in Belgium and the Global South.
• Access to international research networks.
• Opportunities to develop research skills and academic independence.
• Experience working across institutions and research environments.
• The opportunity to pursue a PhD through an international research collaboration.

Important: The Ghent University scholarship does not independently finance all 48 months. Securing the required 24 months of co-funding from the partner institution is essential.

4. Duration and Mandatory Mobility Requirements

The Ghent University Doctoral Scholarship 2027 lasts for 48 months and follows a compulsory mobility arrangement.

Under the standard arrangement, candidates must begin and end their doctoral research programme with research stays of between three and 12 months at Ghent University.

Required research schedule

The standard mobility scheme includes the following requirements:

1. The first research stay at Ghent University must begin between 1 October 2027 and 28 February 2028.
2. The first and final research stays at Ghent University must each last between three and 12 months.
3. At least 24 months of locally funded research in the Global South must take place between the first and final research stays at Ghent University.
4. The partner institution must guarantee full-time funding for the required research period in the Global South.

Applicants should develop a clear research schedule with both supervisors before submitting the application.

Exceptions to the mobility scheme

Exceptions may be requested in specific circumstances, including:

• When the partner institution requires successful completion of its PhD study programme before further research activities can begin.
• When the candidate must first complete a period of field research in the Global South.
• When the candidate has already completed up to 12 months of full-time funded PhD study at the partner institution in the Global South.
• When the candidate has already completed up to 12 months of full-time funded PhD research at Ghent University.

An exception is not automatic. Applicants must request approval from Ghent University’s Research Administration and provide supporting documentation.

Deadline for exception requests: 15 January 2027.

Candidates who need an exception must complete the official exception form and email it, together with the requested supporting documents, to BOF@ugent.be.

5. Co-Funding Requirements for the Ghent University PhD Scholarship

Mandatory co-funding is one of the most important requirements of the Ghent University Special Research Fund Doctoral Scholarships 2027.

Applicants must secure a partner university or research centre in the Global South that can support the doctoral research period conducted outside Belgium.

The partner institution must satisfy the following conditions:

A local PhD supervisor

The candidate must have a supervisor at the partner university or research centre in the Global South who is willing to guide the doctoral research.

Full-time funding for 24 months

The partner institution must provide an official written statement confirming that the candidate will receive a full-time local PhD scholarship or salary for 24 months while conducting research in the Global South.

Sufficient research time

The candidate must be sufficiently exempted from teaching and other assignments to concentrate on doctoral research.

Applicants may dedicate a maximum of 10% of their full-time appointment to teaching and other tasks.

Candidates should discuss these requirements with their local institution early in the application process. An application without the required co-funding arrangements will not meet the programme’s conditions.

6. How to Apply for the Ghent University Doctoral Scholarships 2027

Candidates interested in the Ghent University Special Research Fund Doctoral Scholarships 2027 should follow the official application process carefully.

Step 1: Find a Ghent University supervisor

The first step is to identify a Ghent University professor who is willing to supervise your proposed PhD research.

Candidates can explore available research topics, faculties, and academic expertise through the Ghent University Research Explorer.

Research Explorer: https://research.ugent.be/web/home/en

Contact a potential supervisor with a concise academic CV, research interests, relevant qualifications, and a preliminary research proposal.

A professor’s support is mandatory, so applicants should not wait until the final application deadline to begin this process.

Step 2: Find a supervisor in the Global South

Identify a supervisor at an eligible partner university or research centre in the Global South.

The local supervisor should be willing to support the research project and coordinate with the Ghent University supervisor throughout the doctoral programme.

Both supervisors should agree on the research objectives, research schedule, and division of responsibilities.

Step 3: Secure the required co-funding

Confirm that the partner institution can guarantee a full-time PhD scholarship or salary for 24 months of research in the Global South.

Obtain the official written statement required by Ghent University.

Also confirm that the candidate will have sufficient time to focus on research, with no more than 10% of the full-time appointment allocated to teaching and other tasks.

Step 4: Prepare the application documents

Applicants must complete the official 2027 application form in English.

The application must be submitted electronically. In addition, the Ghent University supervisor must submit two supporting documents before the deadline:

1. Advice on the candidate: A document containing the supervisor’s assessment of the applicant’s capabilities and potential as a future researcher.
2. Advice on the ethical and biosafety context: A document addressing the ethical and biosafety considerations associated with the proposed research project.

Candidates should coordinate with both supervisors to ensure that all required documents are prepared and submitted correctly.

Step 5: Submit the application

The application forms must be submitted electronically in English to:

BOFapplication@ugent.be

Applicants should check the official call documents for the complete list of required information, supporting materials, and submission instructions.

Step 6: Request an exception if necessary

If you cannot follow the standard funding or mobility arrangements, check whether your circumstances qualify for an exception.

The exception request and supporting documents must be submitted to BOF@ugent.be by 15 January 2027.

Do not assume that an exception has been approved until Ghent University’s Research Administration confirms it.

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7. Important Application Deadlines

Candidates applying for the Ghent University Special Research Fund Doctoral Scholarships 2027 should pay close attention to the following dates.

• 15 January 2027: Deadline for submitting an applicable exception request relating to the funding or mobility scheme.
• 9 February 2027: Final application deadline for the doctoral scholarship.
• 12 May 2027 onwards: Expected announcement of selection results.
• 1 October 2027: Start date used to determine the minimum remaining doctoral research requirement; the first research stay must begin within the specified mobility window.

The first Ghent University research stay must start between 1 October 2027 and 28 February 2028.

Applicants should prepare their applications well in advance to allow enough time to secure supervisors, obtain co-funding confirmation, and complete all supporting documents.

8. Selection Process and Results

The Ghent University Special Research Fund Doctoral Scholarships are competitive opportunities intended for promising doctoral researchers.

The university evaluates applications through its official selection process. The published call identifies the importance of the candidate’s research potential, the research proposal, and the relevance of the project to the programme’s objectives.

Applicants should ensure that their proposals clearly explain the research problem, objectives, methodology, expected outcomes, and the value of conducting research between Ghent University and the partner institution.

The Ghent University supervisor must also provide an assessment of the candidate’s potential as a researcher and submit the required advice concerning research ethics and biosafety.

Selection results are expected to be announced online from 12 May 2027 onwards.

Non-selected candidates will automatically receive feedback on their applications within six weeks after the results are published.

9. Tips for Preparing a Strong Application

Because the Ghent University Doctoral Scholarships 2027 are limited in number, applicants should prepare carefully.

Develop a clear research proposal

Present a focused research question, explain why it matters, and outline a realistic methodology. Demonstrate how the research can benefit relevant communities, institutions, or academic fields.

Explain the South–North relevance

Show how the project connects research priorities and expertise in Belgium with needs, opportunities, or priorities in the Global South.

Contact supervisors early

A suitable Ghent University professor and a committed local supervisor are essential. Start discussions early enough to develop a coherent joint proposal.

Confirm co-funding before submission

Do not leave the partner institution’s funding commitment until the last minute. Secure the required official statement confirming the 24-month full-time scholarship or salary.

Plan the mobility schedule carefully

Prepare a realistic 48-month research plan that follows the required sequence of research stays at Ghent University and the locally funded research period in the Global South.

Check every supporting document

Make sure the application is in English, the correct forms are used, and the required supervisor documents are submitted before the deadline.

Follow the official instructions

Consult the complete 2027 call documents for details that may not be fully covered in general scholarship announcements.

10. Final Thoughts

The Ghent University Special Research Fund Doctoral Scholarships 2027 offer an important opportunity for eligible Global South researchers seeking international PhD research experience through a collaborative doctoral programme in Belgium and their home region.

With 15 scholarships awarded annually, the programme supports a four-year sandwich PhD structure, including 24 months of research at Ghent University and 24 months of mandatory locally funded research in the Global South.

The most important steps are to confirm nationality eligibility, find both academic supervisors, secure the required co-funding, and prepare a strong research proposal that meets the mobility requirements.

Interested candidates should begin preparing early and carefully review the official scholarship documents before submitting their applications.

Application deadline: 9 February 2027.

Exception request deadline: 15 January 2027, where applicable.