Ghent University is offering 15 doctoral scholarships for candidates from selected Global South countries for 2027. Eligible PhD candidates can apply by 9 February 2027.
Background & Job Description
Ghent University in Belgium is inviting applications for its Special Research Fund (BOF) Doctoral Scholarships for Candidates from the Global South – Call 2027. The programme supports promising doctoral researchers who want to conduct part of their PhD research at Ghent University and the remaining research at a partner university or research centre in their home region.
The university plans to award 15 doctoral scholarships under this call. The scholarship follows a collaborative research model, with 24 months of research at Ghent University and another 24 months at a partner institution in the Global South.
Applicants must secure supervision at both institutions and arrange mandatory co-funding for the research period in the Global South. The programme is designed for PhD candidates at the beginning of their doctoral studies, although limited preliminary research may be accepted.
Scholarship Overview
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| University | Ghent University, Belgium |
| Scholarship programme | Special Research Fund (BOF) Doctoral Scholarships |
| Call | 2027 |
| Number of scholarships | 15 |
| Eligible applicants | Candidates who are nationals of selected Global South countries |
| Study level | PhD / doctoral research |
| Total research period | 48 months |
| Funding at Ghent University | 24 months |
| Research period in the Global South | 24 months, requiring co-funding |
| First Ghent research stay | Between 1 October 2027 and 28 February 2028 |
| Application deadline | 9 February 2027 |
| Exception request deadline | 15 January 2027, where applicable |
| Application email | BOFapplication@ugent.be |
| Official information | Ghent University BOF Scholarships |
Tasks
Successful candidates will undertake doctoral research through a collaboration between Ghent University and a partner university or research centre in an eligible Global South country.
The programme allows researchers to divide their PhD research between Belgium and the partner institution, supported by supervisors at both institutions.
There are no restrictions on the broad field of research. However, preference will be given to proposals with strong relevance to the South–North context, including research that aligns with beneficiaries’ needs, opportunities for collaboration, global priorities, and partners’ and donors’ policies.
Applicants must have a research proposal jointly submitted with their Ghent University supervisor and their supervisor at the partner institution.
Qualifications (Education and Certification, Experience)
Eligibility Requirements
Applicants must meet the following conditions:
- Nationality: Candidates must be nationals of a country included on Ghent University’s selected Global South country list.
- Doctoral status: The programme is intended for candidates at the beginning of their PhD. At the start of the scholarship on 1 October 2027, applicants must still require at least 36 months of doctoral research to complete their PhD.
- Degree registration: Applicants must intend to obtain a PhD degree at Ghent University, either solely or jointly. Exchange students are not eligible.
- Research partnership: The proposal must include a supervisor at Ghent University and a supervisor at a partner university or research centre in the Global South.
- Co-funding: The partner institution must guarantee full-time funding through a local PhD scholarship or salary for the 24-month research period in the Global South.
- Research availability: Candidates must be sufficiently exempted from teaching and other duties to focus on their PhD. The university states that no more than 10% of a full-time appointment may be devoted to other tasks.
Applicants should consult the official Global South country list to confirm their eligibility.
Supervisor Requirements
Candidates must first obtain the support of a Ghent University professor who is willing to supervise their PhD. Without this support, the application is not eligible.
They must also secure a supervisor at a partner university or research centre in the Global South. The partner institution must be prepared to provide the required 24 months of full-time local PhD funding and issue an official statement confirming the arrangement.
Ghent University supervisors may support a maximum of two candidates per call, provided the two candidates are of different genders.
Additional Information
Scholarship Duration and Funding
The doctoral research period lasts 48 months, divided into two parts:
- 24 months at Ghent University: The scholarship finances the research period in Belgium.
- 24 months in the Global South: The partner institution must provide the mandatory co-funding through a full-time local PhD scholarship or salary.
The scholarship also provides financial support through the programme’s research arrangements. The Ghent University supervisor receives a bench fee of €310 per month of research in Ghent, plus an €8,000 travel budget to cover part of the operational costs and travel expenses of the candidate and the supervisors.
The published overview does not specify a monthly personal stipend amount for the candidate. Applicants should consult the official call documents for the precise funding conditions.
Mandatory Research Mobility
Candidates are generally required to begin and end their doctoral research with a research stay at Ghent University, with each stay lasting between three and 12 months.
The first research stay must begin between 1 October 2027 and 28 February 2028. 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.
Exceptions may be requested in specific circumstances, including where a partner institution requires completion of a doctoral study programme before further research or where preliminary fieldwork in the Global South is necessary. Certain previously completed, fully funded doctoral research periods may also qualify for consideration under the stated rules.
Candidates requesting an exception must submit the required request and supporting documents to Ghent University’s Research Administration by 15 January 2027. The request should be sent to BOF@ugent.be using the official exception request form.
Application Deadline
The main application deadline is 9 February 2027.
Applicants who need an exception to the funding or mobility requirements must submit their exception request by 15 January 2027. This earlier deadline applies only where an exception is being requested.
How to Apply
Candidates should follow these steps to prepare an eligible application:
1. Find a supervisor at Ghent University.
Identify a professor willing to supervise the proposed PhD. Applicants can explore faculties and research topics through the Ghent University Research Explorer.
2. Secure a partner supervisor.
Find a suitable supervisor at a university or research centre in an eligible Global South country.
3. Arrange the required co-funding.
Confirm that the partner institution will provide a full-time local PhD scholarship or salary for the 24 months of research in the Global South. Obtain the required official statement confirming funding and sufficient exemption from other duties.
4. Complete the application form.
Download the 2027 application form and complete the application in English.
5. Ensure the supervisor submits the required documents.
The Ghent University supervisor must also submit:
- An advice on the candidate, assessing the candidate’s potential as a researcher.
- An advice on the ethical and biosafety context of the proposed project.
6. Submit the application.
The application materials must be submitted electronically in English to BOFapplication@ugent.be before the 9 February 2027 deadline.
Applicants should read the official Call 2027 documents carefully before submitting their proposals.
Selection and Results
Ghent University states that selection results will be announced online from 12 May 2027 onwards. Unsuccessful candidates will automatically receive feedback on their applications within six weeks after the results are published.
Applicants should direct questions about the call to BOF@ugent.be.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What are the Ghent University Doctoral Scholarships 2027?
They are doctoral research scholarships offered through Ghent University’s Special Research Fund for eligible candidates from selected Global South countries. The programme supports a four-year PhD research arrangement split between Ghent University and a partner institution in the Global South.
2. How many scholarships are available?
Ghent University plans to award 15 doctoral scholarships under the 2027 call.
3. Is the scholarship fully funded for four years?
Ghent University finances 24 months of research in Belgium. The other 24 months must be funded by a partner institution in the Global South through a local PhD scholarship or salary. Co-funding is mandatory, so applicants must secure this arrangement before applying.
4. Who is eligible to apply?
Candidates must hold the nationality of a country on the university’s selected Global South list, intend to obtain a PhD at Ghent University, meet the doctoral research timing requirements and secure supervisors at both institutions.
5. Can applicants from any research field apply?
The programme does not impose restrictions on research fields. However, preference is given to proposals that are relevant to the South–North context.
6. What is the application deadline?
The deadline for the main application is 9 February 2027. Applicants requesting an exception to the funding or mobility scheme must submit that request by 15 January 2027.
7. Do applicants need a supervisor before applying?
Yes. Support from a Ghent University professor is compulsory. Applicants must also arrange supervision at a partner university or research centre in the Global South.
8. When will the results be announced?
Ghent University expects to announce the results online from 12 May 2027 onwards.
9. Where can applicants find the official application form?
The form is available through the Ghent University BOF scholarship page, which also provides the call documents and related forms.
Opportunities Feed Assessment
The Ghent University Doctoral Scholarships 2027 are particularly relevant to early-stage doctoral researchers from eligible Global South countries who want to pursue collaborative research with a Belgian university.
The programme offers 24 months of research funding at Ghent University and an international research partnership, but applicants must secure a local supervisor and guaranteed co-funding for the other 24 months. Prospective candidates should begin contacting supervisors and partner institutions early because these arrangements are essential to eligibility.
Disclaimer: Opportunities Feed shares scholarship and research funding announcements for informational purposes. It is not affiliated with Ghent University and does not make scholarship award decisions. Applicants should verify their eligibility, funding arrangements and submission requirements in the official call documents.
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