Ghent University Doctoral Scholarships 2027 in Belgium 🇧🇪 | €2,850 Monthly Funding for Global South PhD Candidates

Ghent University Doctoral Scholarships 2027 in Belgium 🇧🇪 | €2,850 Monthly Funding for Global South PhD Candidates. Applications are open for the Ghent University Special Research Fund Doctoral Scholarships 2027, offering promising PhD researchers from selected Global South countries an opportunity to undertake a four-year South–North sandwich PhD involving research at Ghent University in Belgium and a partner university or research centre in the Global South.

Ghent University awards approximately:

🎓 15 DOCTORAL SCHOLARSHIPS EACH YEAR

under this programme.

Successful candidates receive a Ghent University doctoral scholarship for:

🇧🇪 24 MONTHS OF RESEARCH IN BELGIUM

within an overall:

⏳ 48-MONTH PhD PERIOD.

For the period spent at Ghent University, the scholarship amount is approximately:

💰 €2,850 PER MONTH.

The other 24 months must be completed at the partner institution in the Global South with separate full-time funding arranged through that institution or another eligible funding source.

The main application deadline is:

🚨 9 FEBRUARY 2027 AT 23:59 BELGIAN TIME.

The earliest possible start date is:

📅 1 OCTOBER 2027.

⚠️ Important Accuracy Note

This scholarship is sometimes described online as a:

FULLY FUNDED PhD SCHOLARSHIP

but that description needs clarification.

Ghent University itself funds:

24 MONTHS

of the four-year doctoral trajectory.

Candidates must already secure:

FULL-TIME FUNDING OR A FULL-TIME PhD SALARY

for the other:

24 MONTHS

at the partner university or research centre in the Global South.

A tuition waiver alone, part-time funding or only a bench-fee contribution is not sufficient.

Therefore, this is better described as a:

FUNDED SANDWICH PhD WITH MANDATORY CO-FUNDING.

🌍 Quick Overview

Detail	Information
University	Ghent University
Country	Belgium
Scholarship	Special Research Fund Doctoral Scholarships for Candidates from the Global South
Call	2027
Number of Scholarships	Approximately 15 Annually
PhD Structure	South–North Sandwich PhD
Overall PhD Period	48 Months
Ghent-Funded Period	24 Months
Global South Period	24 Months
Monthly Scholarship in Ghent	Approximately €2,850
Bench Fee	€310 Per Month of Research in Ghent
Travel Budget	€8,000
Research Fields	All Fields Eligible
Ghent Supervisor Required	Yes
Global South Supervisor Required	Yes
Co-Funding Required	Yes
Deadline	9 February 2027
Exception Request Deadline	15 January 2027
Earliest Start	1 October 2027
Results	From 12 May 2027

🏛️ About Ghent University

Ghent University Doctoral Scholarships 2027 in Belgium 🇧🇪 | €2,850 Monthly Funding for Global South PhD Candidates

Ghent University is a major public research university in Belgium with strong international research collaboration across:

SCIENCE

ENGINEERING

MEDICINE

AGRICULTURE

SOCIAL SCIENCES

HUMANITIES

and many other fields.

Through its Special Research Fund — BOF, Ghent University supports doctoral and postdoctoral research and international academic cooperation.

The 2027 Global South doctoral scholarship is one of the university’s major international PhD funding opportunities.

🎓 What Is the Global South Doctoral Scholarship?

The scholarship is designed for promising doctoral researchers from selected Global South countries who want to earn either:

A GHENT UNIVERSITY PhD DEGREE

or:

A JOINT PhD INVOLVING GHENT UNIVERSITY.

Participants divide their doctoral research between:

🇧🇪 GHENT UNIVERSITY — BELGIUM

and:

🌍 A PARTNER UNIVERSITY OR RESEARCH CENTRE IN THE GLOBAL SOUTH.

This structure is known as a:

SANDWICH PhD.

Ghent University explains that the programme is intended to strengthen research capacity at universities and research institutions in the Global South by supporting researchers who maintain strong academic links with their home or partner institutions.

💰 How Much Is the Scholarship?

For the periods spent conducting doctoral research at Ghent University, the scholarship is approximately:

💶 €2,850 PER MONTH.

This monthly payment applies only during the Ghent-funded research periods.

⏳ How Long Is the Funding?

The overall doctoral trajectory covers:

48 MONTHS.

This is divided into:

🇧🇪 24 MONTHS FUNDED BY GHENT UNIVERSITY

Ghent University Doctoral Scholarships 2027 in Belgium 🇧🇪 | €2,850 Monthly Funding for Global South PhD Candidates

and:

🌍 24 MONTHS FUNDED AT THE GLOBAL SOUTH PARTNER INSTITUTION.

💵 Bench Fee

The Ghent University supervisor receives a bench fee of:

€310 PER MONTH

for each month the doctoral researcher conducts research at Ghent University.

This is intended to help cover research-related operational expenses.

✈️ Travel Budget

The Ghent supervisor also receives a travel budget of:

€8,000.

This can help cover part of:

• Student travel
• Ghent University supervisor travel
• Local supervisor travel
• Research-related mobility and operational costs.

⚠️ The €8,000 Is Not a Cash Award to the Student

Applicants should not describe the €8,000 as an additional personal stipend.

It is a:

TRAVEL / RESEARCH BUDGET

managed within the scholarship framework to support mobility and research-related costs.

🌍 Who Can Apply?

Applicants must come from and hold the nationality of one of the countries included on Ghent University’s official:

GLOBAL SOUTH COUNTRY LIST.

Candidates must also complete the Global South portion of their PhD at an eligible university or research institution in one of the selected countries.

🇿🇼 Can Zimbabweans Apply?

Yes.

ZIMBABWE

is explicitly included in Ghent University’s official 2027 Global South country list.

Zimbabwean applicants must still meet all other requirements, including:

• Securing a Ghent University supervisor
• Securing a local supervisor
• Securing 24 months of full-time local PhD funding
• Meeting Ghent University PhD admission requirements
• Developing an eligible research proposal.

🌍 Other Eligible African Countries

The official list includes numerous African countries such as:

GHANA

KENYA

MALAWI

MOZAMBIQUE

NIGERIA

RWANDA

SOUTH AFRICA

TANZANIA

UGANDA

ZAMBIA

and:

ZIMBABWE

among others.

Applicants should always check the official 2027 country list rather than relying on an older scholarship article.

🎓 Is a Ghent University Supervisor Required?

Yes.

This is one of the most important eligibility requirements.

Applicants must secure the support of:

A GHENT UNIVERSITY PROFESSOR

Ghent University Doctoral Scholarships 2027 in Belgium 🇧🇪 | €2,850 Monthly Funding for Global South PhD Candidates

Ghent University Doctoral Scholarships 2027 in Belgium 🇧🇪 | €2,850 Monthly Funding for Global South PhD Candidates

who is willing to act as their doctoral supervisor.

Ghent University states clearly:

WITHOUT THE SUPPORT OF A GHENT UNIVERSITY PROFESSOR, THE APPLICATION IS NOT ELIGIBLE.

👨‍🏫 Is a Local Supervisor Required?

Yes.

Candidates must also have a:

LOCAL PhD SUPERVISOR

at their partner university or research centre in the Global South.

This means each application is effectively developed by:

THE CANDIDATE

THE GHENT UNIVERSITY SUPERVISOR

and:

THE GLOBAL SOUTH SUPERVISOR.

💰 Mandatory Co-Funding

Co-funding is:

MANDATORY.

Applicants must prove that they will receive:

A FULL-TIME PhD SCHOLARSHIP

or:

A FULL-TIME SALARY

for the 24 months of doctoral research undertaken in the Global South.

This support may come from:

• The partner university
• A national government
• An international funding agency
• Another eligible partner organisation.

🚫 What Funding Is Not Enough?

Candidates are not eligible if they have only:

PART-TIME FUNDING

A TUITION WAIVER

or:

A BENCH-FEE-ONLY SCHOLARSHIP.

The funding must allow the candidate to work:

FULL-TIME

on the doctoral project during the Global South research period.

👩‍🏫 Teaching Restrictions

During the 24 months of locally funded research in the Global South, applicants must be substantially exempted from unrelated duties.

Ghent University allows a maximum of:

10% OF FULL-TIME WORKING TIME

to be dedicated to:

TEACHING

or other assignments.

The rest should be devoted to the PhD.

📚 Which Research Fields Are Eligible?

There is:

NO RESTRICTION ON THE FIELD OF RESEARCH.

This means applicants may come from disciplines including:

🧪 SCIENCE

⚙️ ENGINEERING

🩺 MEDICINE

🌱 AGRICULTURE

🌍 ENVIRONMENT

💻 TECHNOLOGY

📊 ECONOMICS

⚖️ LAW

🧠 SOCIAL SCIENCES

📚 HUMANITIES

and other academic areas.

🌍 South–North Relevance

Ghent University Doctoral Scholarships 2027 in Belgium 🇧🇪 | €2,850 Monthly Funding for Global South PhD Candidates

Although all research fields are eligible, Ghent University gives preference to proposals that demonstrate strong:

SOUTH–NORTH RELEVANCE.

The research should show alignment with:

• Beneficiary needs
• Global priorities
• Partner priorities
• Development relevance
• Opportunities for institutional or research collaboration.

🎓 Who Is the Scholarship Designed For?

The programme is mainly intended for researchers who are:

AT THE BEGINNING OF THEIR PhD.

It is not primarily designed for people who have almost completed their doctorate and simply need final-stage funding.

⏳ Already Started Your PhD?

Some candidates who have already started doctoral research may still qualify.

However, on:

📅 1 OCTOBER 2027

the applicant must still need at least:

36 MONTHS

of doctoral research to complete the PhD.

In limited cases, up to:

12 MONTHS OF PREVIOUSLY FUNDED PhD RESEARCH

may be incorporated into the mobility schedule, subject to approval.

🚫 Exchange PhD Students

Exchange doctoral students are:

NOT ELIGIBLE.

Applicants must intend to obtain:

A GHENT UNIVERSITY DEGREE

or:

A JOINT PhD DEGREE INVOLVING GHENT UNIVERSITY.

🗓️ Mandatory Mobility Structure

The programme follows a specific mobility arrangement.

Students must normally:

1️⃣ START THEIR PhD WITH A STAY AT GHENT UNIVERSITY

and:

2️⃣ END THEIR PhD WITH A STAY AT GHENT UNIVERSITY.

Each opening and closing Ghent research period must last between:

3 AND 12 MONTHS.

🇧🇪 First Ghent University Stay

The first research stay must begin between:

📅 1 OCTOBER 2027

and:

📅 28 FEBRUARY 2028.

🌍 Global South Research Period

Ghent University Doctoral Scholarships 2027 in Belgium 🇧🇪 | €2,850 Monthly Funding for Global South PhD Candidates

At least:

24 MONTHS

of locally funded research in the Global South must normally take place between the first and final Ghent stays.

🔄 Can the Mobility Schedule Be Changed?

In certain circumstances, yes.

Candidates may request an exception where, for example:

• Their partner institution requires completion of a doctoral study programme before research can continue
• The doctoral project must begin with fieldwork in the Global South
• The candidate has already completed an eligible funded period of PhD research.

However, such an exception must receive prior approval from Ghent University.

🚨 Exception Request Deadline

Applicants requesting an exception to the standard funding or mobility structure must submit the appropriate documentation by:

📅 15 JANUARY 2027.

📅 Main Application Deadline

The full scholarship application must be submitted by:

🚨 9 FEBRUARY 2027 AT 23:59 BELGIAN TIME.

📢 Results

Ghent University states that results will be available online from:

📅 12 MAY 2027.

Unsuccessful applicants will automatically receive feedback within approximately:

6 WEEKS

after publication of the results.

👩 Female Researchers Encouraged to Apply

Ghent University specifically encourages:

MORE FEMALE RESEARCHERS

to apply.

To support gender balance, a Ghent University supervisor may support a maximum of two candidates in a call only if those candidates are of:

DIFFERENT GENDERS.

📝 How to Apply

Step 1 — Identify Your Research Area

Develop a PhD idea that fits your academic background and demonstrates:

STRONG RESEARCH VALUE

and ideally:

SOUTH–NORTH RELEVANCE.

Step 2 — Find a Ghent University Supervisor

Search for a Ghent University professor whose research interests align with your proposed PhD.

You can use the:

GHENT UNIVERSITY RESEARCH EXPLORER

to identify researchers, faculties and research groups.

You must obtain the professor’s agreement before applying.

Step 3 — Find a Global South Supervisor

Identify a professor or qualified researcher at your home or partner institution who can supervise the Global South part of the doctorate.

Step 4 — Secure 24 Months of Local Funding

The partner institution must provide a signed statement confirming that the applicant will receive:

FULL-TIME FUNDING

for the 24 months spent conducting PhD research in the Global South.

Step 5 — Develop the Joint Research Proposal

The candidate and both supervisors should prepare the doctoral project together.

The proposal should clearly explain:

RESEARCH OBJECTIVES

METHODOLOGY

SCIENTIFIC CONTRIBUTION

SOUTH–NORTH RELEVANCE

and:

MOBILITY STRUCTURE.

Step 6 — Complete the 2027 Application Form

Ghent University Doctoral Scholarships 2027 in Belgium 🇧🇪 | €2,850 Monthly Funding for Global South PhD Candidates

Applications must be prepared using the official:

2027 APPLICATION FORM.

Step 7 — Ghent Supervisor Submits Supporting Assessments

The Ghent University supervisor must provide:

AN ADVICE ON THE CANDIDATE

and:

AN ETHICS & BIOSAFETY ASSESSMENT

before the application deadline.

Step 8 — Submit Electronically

The official application must be submitted in:

ENGLISH

📋 Application Checklist

Before submitting, confirm:

✅ Eligible Global South Nationality

Required.

✅ Eligible Global South Partner Institution

Required.

✅ Ghent University Supervisor

Required.

✅ Local Supervisor

Required.

✅ Full-Time 24-Month Local Funding

Required.

✅ PhD Degree at Ghent or Joint PhD

Required.

✅ Early Stage of PhD

Required.

✅ At Least 36 Months Research Remaining by October 2027

Required if research has already started.

✅ Research Proposal

Required.

✅ South–North Relevance

Strongly Important.

✅ Mobility Plan

Required.

✅ Local Funding Statement

Required.

✅ Supervisor Recommendation

Required.

✅ Ethics & Biosafety Advice

Required.

✅ Application Deadline

9 February 2027.

🎯 How to Strengthen Your Application

🔬 Find a Strong Supervisor Match

Do not mass-email professors.

Identify researchers whose work closely overlaps with your proposed PhD and explain:

WHY THEIR RESEARCH GROUP IS THE RIGHT FIT.

Ghent University Doctoral Scholarships 2027 in Belgium 🇧🇪 | €2,850 Monthly Funding for Global South PhD Candidates

🌍 Show South–North Relevance

Explain how your project addresses:

A REAL RESEARCH NEED

in your home country or region while also creating meaningful international academic collaboration.

📊 Demonstrate Research Feasibility

Show that your project can realistically be completed within:

48 MONTHS.

Your research plan should clearly divide work between:

BELGIUM

and:

THE GLOBAL SOUTH.

💰 Secure Co-Funding Early

Do not leave the 24-month Global South funding requirement until the last minute.

Without proof of full-time funding:

YOUR APPLICATION IS NOT ELIGIBLE.

🤝 Build a Genuine Three-Way Partnership

The strongest applications should involve active collaboration between:

THE CANDIDATE

THE GHENT SUPERVISOR

and:

THE LOCAL SUPERVISOR.

⚠️ Common Application Mistakes

Avoid:

• Calling this a four-year fully funded Ghent scholarship
• Ignoring the mandatory 24-month co-funding requirement
• Applying without a Ghent supervisor
• Applying without a local supervisor
• Applying as an exchange PhD student
• Using part-time funding for the Global South period
• Assuming a tuition waiver counts as full co-funding
• Applying when the PhD is almost complete
• Ignoring the mandatory mobility structure
• Missing the 15 January exception deadline where applicable
• Missing the 9 February final deadline

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Ghent University Doctoral Scholarships 2027 in Belgium 🇧🇪 | €2,850 Monthly Funding for Global South PhD Candidates

How many Ghent University doctoral scholarships are available?

Ghent University states that it awards approximately:

15 SCHOLARSHIPS EACH YEAR.

Is this scholarship fully funded?

Ghent University fully funds the:

24 MONTHS SPENT IN GHENT.

The other:

24 MONTHS

must be supported through mandatory external or partner-institution co-funding.

How much is the stipend?

Approximately:

💰 €2,850 PER MONTH

during the Ghent University-funded periods.

How long is the PhD?

The total doctoral trajectory is:

48 MONTHS.

How many months are funded by Ghent University?

Ghent University Doctoral Scholarships 2027 in Belgium 🇧🇪 | €2,850 Monthly Funding for Global South PhD Candidates

24 MONTHS.

How many months must be locally funded?

24 MONTHS.

Is there a research budget?

The Ghent University promoter receives:

€310 PER MONTH

as a bench fee during Ghent research periods.

Is travel support available?

Yes.

The scholarship includes an:

€8,000 TRAVEL BUDGET

to help cover part of the travel and operational costs involving the candidate and supervisors.

Are all academic fields eligible?

Yes.

There is no formal restriction on the research field.

Do I need a Ghent University supervisor before applying?

Yes.

Applications without a supporting Ghent University professor are:

NOT ELIGIBLE.

Do I need a supervisor in my home country?

Yes.

A local supervisor at the Global South partner institution is required.

Can Zimbabweans apply?

Yes.

Zimbabwe appears on Ghent University’s official 2027 eligible Global South country list.

Can someone who already started a PhD apply?

Potentially.

At least:

36 MONTHS OF RESEARCH

must still be required as of 1 October 2027.

Can exchange PhD students apply?

No.

Only candidates working toward a Ghent University PhD or eligible joint PhD can apply.

When must the first Ghent stay begin?

Between:

1 OCTOBER 2027

and:

28 FEBRUARY 2028.

What is the application deadline?

🚨 9 FEBRUARY 2027 AT 23:59 BELGIAN TIME.

When will results be announced?

From:

📅 12 MAY 2027.

🚀 Final Thoughts

Ghent University Doctoral Scholarships 2027 in Belgium 🇧🇪 | €2,850 Monthly Funding for Global South PhD Candidates

Ghent University Doctoral Scholarships 2027 in Belgium 🇧🇪 | €2,850 Monthly Funding for Global South PhD Candidates. The Ghent University Doctoral Scholarships 2027 offer an excellent opportunity for promising researchers from selected Global South countries who want to pursue an internationally connected PhD in Belgium.

The programme provides:

💰 APPROXIMATELY €2,850 PER MONTH

during the:

🇧🇪 24 MONTHS OF RESEARCH AT GHENT UNIVERSITY

plus:

🔬 €310 PER MONTH BENCH FEE

and:

✈️ €8,000 TRAVEL BUDGET.

However, applicants must understand the programme’s most important condition:

⚠️ GHENT UNIVERSITY DOES NOT FUND ALL 48 MONTHS.

The candidate must secure full-time funding for the:

🌍 OTHER 24 MONTHS

of doctoral research at the partner institution in the Global South.

Applicants must also have:

A GHENT UNIVERSITY SUPERVISOR

A GLOBAL SOUTH SUPERVISOR

AN ELIGIBLE RESEARCH PROJECT

and:

A FORMAL CO-FUNDING COMMITMENT.

The final deadline is:

🚨 9 FEBRUARY 2027.

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🔑 Key Details

University: Ghent University
Country: Belgium
Scholarship: Special Research Fund Doctoral Scholarships for Candidates from the Global South
Call: 2027
Number of Awards: Approximately 15
Overall PhD Duration: 48 Months
Ghent University Funding: 24 Months
Partner Institution Funding: 24 Months
Monthly Scholarship in Belgium: Approximately €2,850
Bench Fee: €310 Per Month
Travel Budget: €8,000
Eligible Fields: All Research Fields
Ghent Supervisor: Required
Local Supervisor: Required
Co-Funding: Mandatory
Zimbabwe: Eligible Country
First Ghent Stay: 1 October 2027–28 February 2028
Exception Request Deadline: 15 January 2027
Application Deadline: 9 February 2027
Results: From 12 May 2027

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