Special Research Fund 2026: Ghent University Doctoral Scholarships for Candidates from the Global South

Ghent University’s Special Research Fund 2026 offers doctoral “sandwich” scholarships for PhD candidates from the Global South. Learn about eligibility, funding, mobility requirements, and how to apply before 17 February 2026.

The Special Research Fund (BOF) Doctoral Scholarship Programme 2026 at Ghent University represents a significant opportunity for emerging researchers from the Global South. Designed to strengthen international research collaboration and capacity building, this prestigious programme supports “sandwich” PhD trajectories that combine research periods in both Europe and the Global South.

Through this initiative, Ghent University continues its commitment to fostering equitable academic partnerships, promoting global knowledge exchange, and supporting doctoral candidates whose research addresses shared global challenges.

A Scholarship Built on North–South Collaboration

The BOF doctoral scholarship is structured around a four-year “sandwich” PhD model, in which candidates divide their research time between Ghent University in Belgium (the “North”) and a partner university or research centre in the Global South (the “South”).

Ghent University funds 24 months of doctoral research carried out in Ghent, while the remaining 24 months must be fully funded locally by the partner institution in the Global South. This approach ensures strong institutional cooperation and reinforces local research environments while offering scholars access to Ghent University’s advanced research infrastructure.

Who Can Apply

The programme is specifically targeted at promising doctoral candidates from selected Global South countries. To be eligible, applicants must meet several important criteria.

Candidates must:

Be nationals of one of the eligible Global South countries
Intend to obtain a (joint) PhD degree at Ghent University
Be degree students, not exchange students
Be at an early stage of their PhD, with at least 36 months of doctoral research remaining at the start of the fellowship on 1 October 2026

Applications must be jointly submitted by:

The PhD candidate
A supervisor (promoter) at Ghent University
A supervisor at the partner institution in the Global South

While there are no formal restrictions on research disciplines, preference is given to projects that demonstrate clear relevance within a North–South context. This includes alignment with global priorities, development needs, and opportunities for sustainable impact.

Encouraging Gender Balance in Research

Ghent University actively promotes gender equality in academia. To encourage greater participation of female researchers, a Ghent University supervisor may support a maximum of two candidates per call, provided the candidates are of different genders. This measure aims to foster a more inclusive and diverse research environment.

Mandatory Co-Funding Requirements

Co-funding is a mandatory component of the BOF scholarship. The partner institution in the Global South must guarantee specific conditions to ensure the feasibility and quality of the PhD trajectory.

These conditions include:

The presence of a local PhD supervisor at the partner institution
A written statement confirming that the candidate will receive full-time local funding (scholarship or salary) for at least 24 months
Assurance that the candidate will be sufficiently relieved from teaching or administrative duties, allowing full focus on doctoral research
A maximum of 10% of working time may be allocated to teaching or other tasks

These requirements are essential to maintaining academic continuity and ensuring the candidate can fully engage in research activities while in the South.

Mobility Scheme and Research Structure

The BOF scholarship includes a mandatory mobility scheme that structures the four-year PhD journey.

Key mobility requirements include:

The PhD must start and end with a research stay of 3 to 12 months at Ghent University
The first research stay in Ghent must begin between 1 October 2026 and 28 February 2027
A minimum of 24 months of locally funded research must take place at the partner institution in the Global South between the two Ghent research periods

This mobility framework ensures sustained academic integration at Ghent University while reinforcing research capacity in the candidate’s home institution.

Exceptions to the Mobility Scheme

In specific and well-justified cases, applicants may request exceptions to the standard mobility structure. Exceptions may be granted if:

The partner institution requires completion of a PhD study programme before external research stays
The candidate must first complete a period of field research in the South
The candidate has already completed up to 12 months of funded PhD research at either the partner institution or Ghent University

Requests for exceptions must be submitted to Ghent University’s research administration before 16 January 2026, using the official “Request exception funding and mobility scheme” form. Supporting documents must be emailed to [email protected].

Funding and Financial Support

The BOF scholarship provides comprehensive support for the Ghent-based research component.

Funding includes:

A PhD scholarship at Ghent University for 24 months
A bench fee of €310 per month of research in Ghent
An €8,000 travel budget to support operational expenses and travel costs for the candidate, the Ghent University promoter, and the local promoter

This financial structure ensures that both academic and logistical needs are adequately covered throughout the programme.

Application Process

Applications must be submitted electronically in English to:

[email protected]

In addition to the completed application form, the Ghent University supervisor must submit:

A written assessment of the candidate’s research potential
An ethical and biosafety evaluation of the proposed research project

Applicants are encouraged to coordinate closely with both supervisors to ensure a strong, coherent, and well-supported proposal.

Application Deadline

The final deadline for submission of scholarship applications is:

17 February 2026

Late or incomplete applications will not be considered.

Conclusion

The Special Research Fund Doctoral Scholarship 2026 offers a unique and impactful opportunity for PhD candidates from the Global South to engage in high-level international research while remaining closely connected to their home institutions. By combining academic excellence, mobility, and equitable collaboration, the programme contributes meaningfully to global research capacity and sustainable development.

For eligible candidates with strong research ambitions and supportive institutional partnerships, this scholarship represents a transformative step in their academic journey.