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

About the opportunity

The Ghent University Special Research Fund (BOF) grants 15 PhD sandwich scholarships annually to promising doctoral candidates from eligible Global South countries. The 48-month doctoral program is split between Ghent University in Belgium and a partner university or research center in the Global South. Ghent University funds 24 months of research in Ghent, providing a monthly bench fee and a travel budget, while the partner institution in the Global South must guarantee 24 months of full-time local funding. Proposals are open to all research fields, with preference given to topics demonstrating South-North contextual relevance.

Funding and benefits

• 24 months of full PhD scholarship funding from Ghent University for research conducted in Ghent
• Bench fee of €310 per month spent in Ghent awarded to the Ghent University supervisor to cover operational costs
• €8,000 travel budget covering operational and travel expenses for the candidate and supervisors
• Remaining 24 months of PhD research fully funded by the partner university in the Global South
• Opportunity to obtain a degree or joint PhD degree from Ghent University

Who can apply?

• Must be a national of and reside in an eligible Global South country (according to the official 2027 country list)
• Must be an early-stage PhD candidate with at least 36 months of doctoral research remaining as of October 1, 2027
• Proposals must be jointly submitted by the candidate, a Ghent University supervisor (ZAP member), and a supervisor at the partner university in the Global South
• Must apply as a degree student intending to obtain a degree or joint PhD degree from Ghent University (exchange students are ineligible)
• Partner institution in the Global South must guarantee full-time local scholarship/salary funding for 24 months
• Candidate must be exempted from heavy duties, dedicating at most 10% of their full-time appointment to teaching or other administrative tasks in the South
• Ghent University supervisors can support at most 2 applicants per call, provided they are of different genders

Required documents

• Completed official 2027 Application Form (submitted in English)
• Official written statement from the Global South partner institution confirming 24 months of full-time local funding/salary and max 10% non-research duties
• Supervisor advice form on the candidate submitted directly by the Ghent University supervisor
• Supervisor advice form on the ethical and biosafety context submitted directly by the Ghent University supervisor
• Completed mobility/funding exception request form and supporting documents (only if requesting an exception by January 15, 2027)

When to apply

• Mobility and funding scheme exception deadline: January 15, 2027 (via email to BOF@ugent.be)
• Main application deadline: February 9, 2027 (via email to BOFapplication@ugent.be)
• Selection results announced online: From May 12, 2027 onwards
• First research stay at Ghent University start window: Between October 1, 2027 and February 28, 2028

How to apply

• Identify and secure the support of a Ghent University professor (ZAP member) to act as primary PhD supervisor
• Identify a local supervisor at an eligible partner university or research center in the Global South
• Obtain an official written commitment from the partner university agreeing to provide 24 months of full-time local PhD funding and work release
• Complete the 2027 Application Form in English
• If applying for a mobility or funding scheme exception, submit the exception form to BOF@ugent.be by January 15, 2027
• Submit the complete application packet electronically to BOFapplication@ugent.be before February 9, 2027
• Ensure the Ghent University supervisor submits the required candidate advice and ethical context forms prior to the deadline

Additional information

• Standard mobility scheme requires starting and ending the PhD with a 3-to-12-month research stay at Ghent University, with 24 months of locally funded research in the South in between
• Exceptions to the mobility scheme (such as local coursework requirements or field research priority) require explicit approval before January 15, 2027
• Non-selected candidates receive feedback within six weeks after selection results are published
• A final scientific report must be submitted electronically within three months of completing the awarded grant