Ghent University Special Research Fund Doctoral Scholarships 2026 in Europe | Step by Step

The Ghent University Special Research Fund Doctoral Scholarships 2026 is for Candidates from the Global South 2026 is a PhD “sandwich” scholarship offered by Ghent University in Belgium. It is for promising PhD students from Global South countries who want to carry out part of their research at Ghent University and part at a university in the Global South.

This program supports students who plan to obtain a (joint) PhD degree at Ghent University and who can combine research work in both the North and the South.

Read the full details of this program to see if you are eligible, understand what it offers, and learn how to apply.

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Ghent University Special Research Fund Doctoral Scholarships 2026 Summary

• Host Country: Belgium
• Study Abroad: Study in Europe
• Host: Ghent University
• Category: Postgraduate Scholarships | Masters Scholarships | PhD Scholarships
• Eligible Countries: Global South countries. Check here
• Reward: PhD scholarship at Ghent University for 24 months plus research support
• Deadline: 17 February 2026

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Ghent University Special Research Fund Doctoral Scholarships 2026 Details

This program is funded by Ghent University through its Special Research Fund (BOF). It offers “sandwich” PhD scholarships to students from Global South countries.

The PhD is structured so that the student spends part of the research time at Ghent University in Belgium and part at a partner university in the Global South. Ghent University funds 24 months of research in Ghent. The remaining 24 months of research in the South must be fully funded by another source.

The total PhD period follows a mobility scheme. Students must start and end with a research stay of 3 to 12 months at Ghent University. Between these two stays, at least 24 months of locally funded research in the South must be completed. The first stay at Ghent University must start between 1 October 2026 and 28 February 2027.

There are no restrictions on the field of research. However, preference is given to topics that are relevant to the North-South context.

This program is meant for students at the beginning of their PhD. By the time the fellowship starts on 1 October 2026, at least 36 months of doctoral research must still be needed to complete the PhD.

Co-funding is mandatory for this scholarship. The partner institution in the South must provide a local PhD supervisor and confirm in writing that the candidate will receive full-time local funding for 24 months and enough time to focus on the PhD research.

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Eligibility Requirements for the Ghent University Special Research Fund Doctoral Scholarships 2026

• Must come from and have the nationality of one of the selected Global South countries
• Must apply together with a Ghent University supervisor and a supervisor at the partner university in the South
• Must be a degree student aiming to obtain a (joint) PhD degree at Ghent University
• Exchange students are not eligible
• Must be at the beginning of the PhD, with at least 36 months of research still required at the start date
• Research topic should preferably be relevant to the North-South context
• Must have mandatory co-funding for the 24 months of research in the South
• Must meet the mobility scheme requirements or receive approval for an exception if applicable

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Ghent University Special Research Fund Doctoral Scholarships 2026 Benefits

• PhD scholarship at Ghent University for a total of 24 months
• A bench fee of €310 per month of research in Ghent for the promoter
• A travel budget of €8,000 to help cover operational and travel costs related to the research

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Ghent University Special Research Fund Doctoral Scholarships 2026 Required Documents

• Completed application form (in English)
• Advice on the candidate from the Ghent University supervisor
• Advice on the ethical and biosafety context of the proposed research project

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How to Apply for the Ghent University Special Research Fund Doctoral Scholarships 2026

1. Get the explicit commitment of a Ghent University professor who will act as your PhD supervisor.
2. Complete the official application form in English.
3. Make sure the Ghent University supervisor prepares the two required advice documents.
4. Submit the application and required documents electronically by email.
5. Send everything to [email protected] before the deadline.

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Deadline

17 February 2026

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