Ghent University BOF Doctoral Scholarships for Global South Candidates 2027

Ghent University grants fifteen PhD sandwich scholarships each year, financed by its Special Research Fund. Candidates from selected Global South countries carry out half of their PhD research at Ghent University and the other half at a university in the Global South. The total scholarship period is 48 months.

Who can apply

Applicants must come from, and hold the nationality of, one of the selected Global South countries named in the country list that is attached to the call. The list is not reproduced on the programme page, so check it before you invest time in a proposal. Only degree students can apply: you must intend to obtain a PhD degree at Ghent University, and exchange students are not eligible. No restriction is placed on the field of research, although topics relevant to the South-North context are preferred. The programme is meant for students at the beginning of their PhD.

How the funding works

Ghent University pays for two years of the research carried out in Belgium. The partner institution in the Global South must provide the other two years through a full-time local scholarship or salary, and co-funding is mandatory. A written statement from the partner is required, and the candidate must be released from teaching duties so that the PhD research gets full attention.

Before you apply

The proposal is submitted jointly by the candidate, a supervisor at Ghent University and a supervisor at the partner university. Without the support of a Ghent professor the application is not eligible. The application deadline is 9 February 2027.