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The Ghent University BOF Doctoral Scholarship 2027 in Belgium offers PhD research funding to eligible candidates from selected Global South countries. Supported by Ghent University’s Special Research Fund (BOF), this international scholarship programme allows doctoral researchers to conduct part of their research in Belgium and the remaining part at a partner university or research centre in their home region. The programme is designed to strengthen international research cooperation and support academic development through collaboration between institutions in the Global North and Global South.
The Ghent University PhD scholarship follows a sandwich model, combining research stays in Belgium with locally funded research in an eligible Global South country. The university funds 24 months of doctoral research at Ghent University, while the remaining 24 months must be funded through an eligible partner institution or other permitted funding source. The total doctoral research period is 48 months. Applicants should carefully review the official requirements before preparing their applications.
WhatsApp ChannelGhent University BOF Doctoral Scholarship 2027 Details
- Host University: Ghent University, Belgium
- Funding Programme: Special Research Fund (BOF)
- Scholarship Level: PhD / Doctoral Research
- Eligible Applicants: Nationals of selected Global South countries
- Scholarship Duration: 48 months
- Funding at Ghent University: 24 months
- Required Co-Funding: 24 months in the Global South
- Application Deadline: 9 February 2027
- Expected Results: From 12 May 2027 onwards
Also check: University of Malaya Bright Scholarship 2027 in Malaysia
Benefits of the Ghent University BOF Doctoral Scholarship 2027
- 24 Months of PhD Funding: Receive funding for doctoral research at Ghent University in Belgium.
- International Research Experience: Conduct research in Belgium and at a partner university in an eligible Global South country.
- Travel and Research Support: The Ghent University supervisor receives an €8,000 travel budget to support eligible travel and research expenses.
- Research Funding Support: The Ghent University supervisor receives a bench fee of €310 per month of research conducted in Belgium.
- International Research Collaboration: Work with supervisors from Ghent University and a partner institution in the Global South.
Also check: SEDarc PhD Studentships 2027-28 in UK
Eligibility Criteria for the Ghent University BOF Doctoral Scholarship 2027
Applicants must meet the following requirements to be considered for the Ghent University doctoral scholarship in Belgium:
- Applicants must have the nationality of a country included in the official Global South country list for 2027.
- Candidates must intend to obtain a PhD degree, or a joint PhD degree, at Ghent University.
- The research proposal must be submitted jointly by the candidate, a Ghent University supervisor and a supervisor at a partner institution in the Global South.
- Applicants must be at the beginning of their PhD research. At the scholarship start date of 1 October 2027, at least 36 months of doctoral research must remain.
- The partner institution must guarantee full-time funding through a PhD scholarship or salary for the 24-month research period in the Global South.
- Candidates must be sufficiently exempted from teaching and other duties, with no more than 10% of their full-time appointment allocated to such tasks.
The programme welcomes applications from different research fields, but proposals relevant to cooperation between the Global North and Global South receive preference.
Also check: Ellison Graduate Scholarship 2027 at Oxford University
Required Research Mobility
The scholarship follows a specific research mobility plan. Candidates must begin and end their doctoral research period with research stays at Ghent University, each lasting between 3 and 12 months. The first 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 stays in Belgium.
Applicants who qualify for an exception to the funding or mobility requirements must request approval by 15 January 2027. Supporting documents and the relevant exception form must be submitted to Ghent University’s Research Administration.
How to Apply for the Ghent University BOF Doctoral Scholarship 2027
Candidates should prepare their applications by completing the following steps:
- Find a Ghent University supervisor: Identify a professor whose research interests match the proposed PhD project and obtain their explicit support.
- Find a local supervisor: Contact a suitable supervisor at a university or research centre in an eligible Global South country.
- Arrange co-funding: Obtain official written confirmation of full-time funding for the 24-month research period in the Global South.
- Prepare the application: Complete the official 2027 application form in English and coordinate the research proposal with both supervisors.
- Submit the application: Send the completed application electronically to BOFapplication@ugent.be before the deadline.
The Ghent University supervisor must also submit an assessment of the candidate’s research potential and an assessment of the project’s ethical and biosafety context.
