Ghent University Special Research Fund Doctoral Scholarships 2025

Ghent University offers PhD “sandwich” scholarships to deserving PhD candidates from Global South nations who want to complete half of their research at Ghent University (the “North”) and half at a Global South university (the “South”) with funding from its “Special Research Fund” (BOF). Only the portion of the research that will be conducted in Ghent (24 months) is funded by Ghent University. For the remaining 24 months of study to be conducted in the South, the candidate must obtain full-time financing. In this article, we will provide you with all the important information about this scholarship program.

About Ghent University

Ghent University is a socially conscious, multicultural, and open institution. With almost 200 years of history, it provides over 200 programs, including 69 master’s degrees taught in English, and carries out extensive research in a variety of scientific fields. Dare to Think is the motto of the university. The university is a sanctuary for brave thinkers. Eleven faculties and their departments are given autonomy under their organizational methodology, which is backed by three university services. Ghent University is situated in the Belgian cities of Ghent, Courtrai, Bruges, and Ostend. Additionally, The University is Songdo, South Korea’s first European university.

Objective of Ghent University Special Research Fund Doctoral Scholarships

Ghent University’s Special Research Fund (BOF) provides doctoral scholarships with the following objectives: assisting research teams in underdeveloped nations For students from underdeveloped nations, the BOF provides PhD scholarships that allow them to do half of their research at Ghent University and other half at a university in their home country. By enhancing local academic personnel, the objective is to assist research groups in developing nations in becoming outstanding research centers. Encouragement of collaborations The BOF provides PhD scholarships through collaborations with Bluebridge COB, GUGC, or UNU-CRIS.

Key Highlights of Ghent University Special Research Fund Doctoral Scholarships

Name of the article	Ghent University Special Research Fund Doctoral Scholarships
Announced by	The Ghent University
Beneficiaries	The students who belong to the Global South countries
Benefits	The students will receive scholarship to complete their PhD
Application Mode	Online
Year	2025-26
Financial assistance	Bench fee of € 310/per month of research in Ghent + € 8.000 travel budget to cover (part of) the operational costs, as well as part of the travelling costs.
Official website	https://www.ugent.be/en/research/funding/bof/dos/docos.htm

Field of Study

The students who want to pursue a joint PhD degree at Ghent University can apply under this scholarship. No restrictions have been imposed on the field of research. Preference will be given to the topics that are relevant within the north-south context.

Eligibility Criteria

The eligibility criteria for applying to this program are given below:-

Candidates must be citizens of one of the chosen Global South nations (see country list) and be from one of those nations.
A candidate, a supervisor (promoter) at Ghent University, and a supervisor at the partner university (South) must submit the proposals together.
Although the research field is unrestricted, emphasis will be placed on subjects that are pertinent to the North-South context.
Only degree students—those aiming to earn a (co-op) PhD at Ghent University—are eligible to apply.

Important Dates

Start date of application process:-	7 November 2024
Last date of application:-	19 February 2025

Eligible Countries List

Least Developed Countries

Afghanistan
Angola
Bangladesh
Benin
Burkina Faso
Burundi
Cambodia
Central African republic
Chad
Comoros
Democratic Republic Of Congo
Djibouti
Eritrea
Ethiopia
Gambia
Guinea
Guinea-Bissau
Haiti
Kiribati
Lao People’s Democratic Republic
Lesotho
Liberia
Madagascar
Malawi
Mali
Mauritania
Mozambique
Myanmar
Nepal
Niger
Rwanda
Sao Tome and Principe
Senegal
Sierra Leone
Solomon Islands
Somalia
South Sudan
Sudan
Tanzania
Timor-Leste
Togo
Tuvalu
Uganda
Yemen
Zambia

Low-Income Countries which are not LDCs (per capita GNI= $1 135 in 2022)

Democratic Republic people of Korea.
Syrian Arab Republic

Lower Middle Income Countries and Territories which are not LDCs (per capita GNI $1 136 – $4 465 in 2022)

Algeria
Bolivia
Bhutan
Cabo Verde
Cameroon
Congo
Cote d’Ivoire
Egypt
Eswatini
Ghana
Honduras
India
Iran
Jordan
Kenya
Kyrgyzstan
Lebanon
Micronesia
Mongolia
Morocco
Nicaragua
Nigeria
Pakistan
Papua New Guinea
Samoa
Srilanka
Tajikistan
Tokelau
Tunisia
Ukraine
Uzbekistan
Vanuatu
Vietnam
Zimbabwe

Other Countries

Cuba
Ecuador
Peru
South Africa
West Bank and Gaza Strip

Required Documents

The documents required for registering under this program are given below:-

A passport-size photo
A copy of your passport
A “Europass” CV
A motivation letter
A legalized copy of your higher education degree and transcript.
An English language certificate.
A translation of your documents into Dutch, French, German, or English.
An official declaration from your school or university confirming your expected graduation date.

Financial Benefits

Bench fee of € 310/per month of research in Ghent + € 8.000 travel budget to cover (part of) the operational costs, as well as part of the travelling costs.

Selection Process

The applicant will be selected by the below-given procedure:-

The applicant should clear all the eligibility criteria for getting selected under this scheme.
The applicant should belong to the eligible Countries given above.