Ghent University BOF DOS Doctoral Scholarship 2026 | Fully Funded for Global South Researchers

If you’re a researcher from a Global South country dreaming of pursuing a doctorate in an international setting, the Ghent University (UGent) “Special Research Fund (BOF) – Doctoral Scholarships for Candidates from the Global South (DOS)” is one of those golden-opportunity programmes worth serious attention. It’s designed to enable strong candidates from selected developing nations to spend part of their PhD research at Ghent University (the “North”) and the other part at a partner university in their home country or region (the “South”). If you’re ready to commit, collaborate and tie your research to global development themes, this could be your moment.

Purpose of the Programme

The BOF DOS scheme at Ghent University is funded through the institution’s “Special Research Fund (BOF)”. The core aim is to support doctoral candidates from Global South countries who intend to carry out their PhD through a sandwich model — spending part of the research time at Ghent University (North) and part at a partner university in their country/region (South).

By structuring the scholarship this way, the university aims to bolster research capacity in the Global South while providing access to Ghent’s resources, supervision and networks. The scheme is also oriented toward topics with relevance in a North-South context (though all research fields are eligible). The result: joint degree or joint supervision, capacity building and stronger global research linkages.

In short, this is not a typical full-time residence PhD at Ghent only—it’s a hybrid, globally-engaged programme meant for those willing to bridge research across geographies.

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Eligibility Criteria

Here’s what you’ll need to meet in order to apply (be sure to confirm the details on the official page, as conditions may evolve):

Essential Requirements

• You must come from, and hold nationality of, one of the selected Global South countries listed by Ghent University.
• The scholarship is only for candidates applying for a (joint) PhD degree at Ghent University; exchange students or partial-visitors are not eligible.
• A joint proposal must be submitted by:
  1. The candidate.
  2. A promoter (supervisor) at Ghent University.
  3. A local supervisor at the partner university in the South.
• Your PhD should still be at its beginning: at the time the fellowship starts, you must have a minimum of 36 months doctoral research remaining until completion.
• Mobility requirements: you must start and end with a stay at Ghent University—and schedule at least 24 months of locally-funded research in the South.
• Co-funding is mandatory: the 24 months of research in the South need to be covered by full-time local funding (scholarship or salary) and you must be sufficiently exempt from teaching/administrative duties (max 10% of your time on other tasks).
• Ghent University encourages female researchers: each Ghent promoter may support a maximum of two candidates per call provided they are of different gender.

Research Field and Relevance

• There are no restrictions on the field of research (natural sciences, social sciences, humanities, engineering, etc.).
• That said, preference will be given to topics that show development relevance in a North-South context—meaning alignment with beneficiary needs, global priorities, partner-university capacity and synergy potential.
• Your local partner university must commit to allow you to dedicate full-time to the PhD for the South-based portion.

Mobility & Timing

• The first stay at Ghent University must begin between 1 October 2026 and 28 February 2027.
• The programme spans 4 years: typically 24 months at Ghent University + 24 months at partner university in the South.

Fields of Study

The scholarship is open to all fields of research—which means whether you’re researching marine biology, public health, law, economics, environmental engineering, computer science or social policy—your discipline is eligible as long as you meet the other criteria and the proposal aligns well with the global development / North-South framework.

The key benefit here is flexibility. You’re not limited to a narrow set of disciplines—only that the research plan fits the sandwich model and North-South relevance. So if you’ve already got a strong PhD concept and a partner university envisaged, you’re in a good position.

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Benefits & Financial Support

This is what makes the offer interesting—while not fully funded for the entire four years via Ghent University alone, the support for the North-portion is substantial.

What Ghent University Provides

• A 24-month scholarship tenure at Ghent University (“North” portion) covering your research time there.
• A bench fee of €310 per month provided to the Ghent promoter to cover operational costs.
• An additional travel budget of €8,000 to cover part of the student’s and supervisors’ travel & operational costs for both Ghent and the local partner.
• Note: While the “South” 24 months do not come with funding via this particular scholarship, you must have full-time funding for that period (via local scholarship/salary) as part of your eligibility.

Why It Matters

A PhD involves living costs, tuition, research expenses, supervision—getting 24 months funded at a high-resource institution like Ghent is a strong foundation. The requirement to secure local funding for the South portion means you’ll need to line that up in parallel—but you’ll be entering the PhD with half of the funding guaranteed.

Duration

• Total PhD duration: 4 years (48 months).
• Ghent-University funded portion: 24 months (within those 48).
• Partner university in South: 24 months (must be locally funded).

Deadlines & Important Dates

Staying on top of deadlines is essential. For the next call (2026 cohort) you’ll want to mark the following:

• Deadline for applications: 17 February 2026 (note: double-check year and updates on official site).
• Results will be announced from 20 May 2026 onwards.
• The first research stay at Ghent University must begin between 1 October 2026 and 28 February 2027.

Since these calls are competitive, you’ll want to prepare early—identify your Ghent University supervisor, partner university in the South, funding for the South portion, draft a research proposal, gather documents, coordinate letters of support, etc.

Application Process

Applying for this scholarship involves multiple coordinated steps. It’s a journey, but with good planning it’s manageable.

1. Find a Ghent University Supervisor (Promoter)
Before you’ll be able to apply you need to obtain a commitment from a Ghent University professor who is willing to act as the promoter of your PhD research. You should browse the research directory of Ghent University, identify someone whose expertise aligns with your topic, reach out, discuss your proposal and secure their formal support.

2. Secure a Partner University in the South & Local Supervisor
You’ll need a partner university in one of the eligible Global South countries and a local supervisor who will oversee your research for the South-based 24 months. That university must be willing to commit to full-time funding of your research period there and exempt you from heavy teaching duties (max 10% other tasks).

3. Prepare Your Research Proposal
You’ll draft a PhD project that outlines: your research question, methodology, relevance (both scientific and development), timeline (showing split North/South periods), supervision arrangements, co-funding details for the South portion, and mobility plan.

4. Complete Application Forms & Supporting Documents
The submission will require:

• Application form (in English) sent to BOFapplication@ugent.be.
• The Ghent University supervisor must submit:
  • An “advice on the candidate” form, stating their view of your potential as a researcher.
  • An “advice on the ethical and biosafety context” of your proposed project.
• Ensure all signatures, attachments, and partner university confirmations are included.
• Your local partner university must provide written statement that they will fund your full-time research at the South institution for 24 months and that you’ll be sufficiently exempt from other tasks.

5. Submit by Deadline & Await Decision
Submit everything before the deadline. If selected, you’ll be notified from about 20 May onwards. Then you’ll need to confirm your schedule (start date, mobility plan) and sign the relevant scholarship regulations/contract with Ghent University.

Final Thoughts

If you’re a researcher from a qualifying Global South country, and you’re passionate about doing a doctoral study that spans both your home country and a top European university, the Ghent University BOF-DOS scholarship is a superb opportunity. It’s not just about funding—it’s about building a bridge between research ecosystems, gaining international supervision, linking your work to development-relevant themes, and strengthening your academic credentials.

Official programme link: https://www.ugent.be/en/research/funding/bof/dos