The Ghent University Doctoral Scholarships provide 15 sandwich PhD awards for researchers from selected Global South countries. Each four-year plan combines 24 funded months at Ghent University with 24 co-funded months at a partner institution in the South. Proposals must be submitted jointly with supervisors at both institutions.
The call accepts research from any field, while giving preference to topics with clear South–North relevance. Candidates must be at the beginning of their PhD and meet the programme’s mobility structure. This guide explains co-funding, eligibility, supervisor duties, documents, and deadlines.
Ghent University Doctoral Scholarships Details
The scholarship finances the research periods spent at Ghent University, not the entire four years. The partner institution must guarantee full-time scholarship or salary support for the 24 months in the Global South. This co-funding is a mandatory part of an eligible proposal.
A candidate starts and ends with a research stay of three to twelve months at Ghent. The first Ghent stay must begin between 1 October 2027 and 28 February 2028. At least 24 months of locally funded research in the South must fall between the first and last Ghent stays.
Institution | Ghent University, Belgium |
|---|---|
Awards | 15 |
Model | Sandwich PhD |
Total duration | 48 months |
Ghent-funded period | 24 months |
Partner-funded period | 24 months |
Main deadline | 9 February 2027 |
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Ghent University Doctoral Scholarships Benefits
The award provides a PhD scholarship for 24 months at Ghent University. The Ghent supervisor also receives a monthly bench fee and an €8,000 travel budget for eligible operational and travel costs. These budgets are managed within the research arrangement rather than advertised as unrestricted student cash.
The sandwich model supports sustained research links between Ghent and a Global South partner. It can provide access to supervisors, facilities, and networks in both settings. Candidates must still secure written partner funding for the southern research period.
Who Can Apply?
Candidates must come from and hold nationality of a country on the call’s selected Global South list. They must enrol as degree students seeking a Ghent PhD; exchange students are not eligible. A supported proposal requires a Ghent supervisor and a supervisor at the partner institution.
At the planned start on 1 October 2027, at least 36 months of doctoral research must remain. Preliminary research is allowed only to a limited extent. The partner must confirm full-time funding and sufficient release from other duties, with no more than 10% of time assigned to other tasks.
Requirements and Documents
The application is a coordinated institutional submission rather than a candidate-only form. The candidate and two supervisors should agree on the research plan, mobility schedule, co-funding, and roles before finalising documents. The application itself must be submitted in English.
In addition to the main form, the Ghent supervisor submits an assessment of the candidate and an ethics and biosafety assessment. A written partner statement must confirm funding and release from duties. Applicants seeking a mobility exception need prior approval through the separate exception process.
How to Apply for Ghent University Doctoral Scholarships
First identify a Ghent University professor willing to supervise the project. Then confirm a supervisor and full-time co-funding at the partner university or research centre in the Global South. Without both commitments, the proposal is not eligible.
Complete the official forms with both supervisors and email the application to the published BOF application address. The Ghent supervisor separately submits the two required advice documents. Request an exception before the earlier deadline only if the official exception conditions apply.
Application Deadline
The main application deadline is 9 February 2027. Candidates who need an approved exception to the funding or mobility scheme must submit that request by 15 January 2027.
Do not treat 15 January as an extra general application round. It applies only to an exception request under the official conditions. The university plans to publish selection results from 12 May 2027.
Related Current Opportunities
Applicants comparing this opportunity may also find these current Guidance Gem guides useful. Each link leads to a published page with its own eligibility rules and official source.
Use the comparisons to build a balanced application plan, but do not assume that one programme’s requirements apply to another. Recheck dates because opportunity timelines can change.
Ghent University Doctoral Scholarships FAQs
These answers summarize the main reader questions supported by the current official information. They do not replace the programme’s formal terms or application instructions.
If an official page later changes a date, benefit, or eligibility condition, follow the newer official wording. Keep copies of the instructions you use when preparing your submission.
How many scholarships are available?
Ghent University states that it grants 15 sandwich PhD scholarships in this call.
Does Ghent fund all 48 months?
No. Ghent funds 24 months, while the Global South partner must fund the other 24 months.
Can any research field apply?
Yes, but the call gives preference to work with clear South–North relevance.
Is a Ghent supervisor required before applying?
Yes. A Ghent professor must support the candidate and serve as supervisor.
Can exchange PhD students apply?
No. The scheme is for degree students intending to obtain a Ghent University PhD.
What is the main deadline?
The main deadline is 9 February 2027; applicable exception requests are due earlier on 15 January.
Conclusion
The Ghent University Doctoral Scholarships are best suited to early-stage researchers who already have a viable South–North partnership. The 24-plus-24-month structure offers meaningful support but makes supervisor coordination and documented co-funding essential.
Begin with the two supervisors and the partner funding guarantee, not the application form alone. Build the mobility schedule carefully, confirm whether any exception is needed, and leave time for the Ghent supervisor’s separate submissions.
Use the separate official button below to review the complete programme information and submit through the authorised route. Guidance Gem is not the awarding body and does not accept applications.
