Ghent University Special Research Fund Doctoral Scholarships for Candidates from the Global South 2027

About the opportunity

The Special Research Fund (BOF) at Ghent University provides doctoral scholarships for promising researchers from eligible Global South countries to pursue a four-year sandwich PhD program. Successful candidates split their research evenly, spending 24 months at Ghent University and 24 months at a partner university or research center in the Global South. Open across all academic disciplines, the scheme focuses on projects with strong South-North relevance, leading to a degree or joint degree awarded by Ghent University.

Funding and benefits

• Full PhD scholarship support at Ghent University for a total of 24 months of research in Ghent
• Bench fee of €310 per month paid to the Ghent University supervisor for operational research costs during research stays in Ghent
• Travel budget of €8,000 to cover operational costs and travel expenses for the doctoral researcher, the Ghent supervisor, and the partner institution supervisor
• Award of up to 15 sandwich PhD scholarships annually

Who can apply?

• Must be a national of and originate from one of the eligible countries on Ghent University's Global South Country List 2027
• Must be a degree-seeking doctoral student intending to obtain a degree or joint PhD degree from Ghent University (exchange students are ineligible)
• Must be at the start of their PhD, with at least 36 months of doctoral research work remaining when the fellowship commences on October 1, 2027
• Proposal must be jointly submitted by the candidate, an eligible supervisor (ZAP faculty member) at Ghent University, and a local supervisor at a partner university or research center in an eligible Global South country
• The partner institution in the Global South must guarantee in writing 24 months of full-time local PhD scholarship or salary funding
• The candidate must be released from excessive teaching or other tasks during the local research period, dedicating no more than 10% of full-time hours to non-research duties
• Proposals are accepted in all research fields, with evaluation preference given to topics demonstrating clear South-North context relevance
• Ghent University supervisors may support a maximum of two candidates per call, provided they are of different genders

Required documents

• Completed joint application form for the 2027 call, submitted in English
• Official written statement from the partner university or research center guaranteeing 24 months of full-time local salary or scholarship and a maximum 10% limit on non-research duties
• Confidential advice form on the candidate completed and submitted directly by the Ghent University supervisor
• Advice form on the ethical and biosafety context of the proposed project submitted by the Ghent University supervisor
• Completed exception request form with supporting evidence (required only if requesting a deviation from the standard mobility or funding schedule by January 15, 2027)

When to apply

• Deadline to request an exception to the funding or mobility scheme: January 15, 2027
• Final application deadline: February 9, 2027
• Online publication of selection results: May 12, 2027 onwards
• Automatic written feedback provided to non-selected applicants: within 6 weeks of results publication
• Earliest fellowship start date: October 1, 2027 (first Ghent research stay must commence between October 1, 2027, and February 28, 2028)

How to apply

• Identify and contact a Ghent University professorial staff member (ZAP) willing to serve as PhD supervisor, consulting the Ghent University Research Explorer if needed
• Secure a local supervisor at an eligible partner university or research institution in an eligible Global South country
• Obtain the mandatory written guarantee from the partner institution confirming 24 months of full-time local funding and protected research time
• If applying for a schedule exception (for field research, local coursework, or up to 12 months of prior doctoral study), submit the exception form to BOF@ugent.be by January 15, 2027
• Prepare the complete application package in English and submit it electronically via email to BOFapplication@ugent.be by February 9, 2027
• Ensure the Ghent University promoter independently submits both supervisor recommendation documents before the February 9, 2027 deadline

Additional information

• The standard mobility scheme requires candidates to complete alternating research stays, beginning and ending with 3 to 12 months at Ghent University, with at least 24 months of locally funded research scheduled in between
• A final scholarly report must be submitted to BOFapplication@UGent.be within three months following the end of the grant