Ghent University BOF Doctoral Sandwich Scholarship 2026 – Fully Funded PhD for Global South Researchers
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Overview
The Special Research Fund (BOF) Doctoral Scholarships 2026 by Ghent University, Belgium is a prestigious “sandwich PhD scholarship” designed for outstanding doctoral candidates from the Global South.
This unique programme allows scholars to conduct their PhD research partly at Ghent University (North) and partly at a partner university in the Global South (South), creating strong academic collaboration and global research impact.
Ghent University funds 24 months of research in Belgium, while the partner institution in the Global South must provide full funding for the remaining 24 months, making it a fully funded 4-year PhD structure through co-funding.
Scholarship Name
Special Research Fund (BOF) Doctoral Scholarships – Global South (Call 2026)
Host/University/Organization
- Ghent University 🇧🇪
- Funded by: Special Research Fund (BOF)
- Partner institutions: Universities/Research Centres in Global South countries
Level of Study
PhD (Doctoral Research)
Scholarship Type
Sandwich PhD Programme (North–South Research Model)
Value/Benefits
Ghent University funding (24 months in Belgium):
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Fully funded PhD scholarship (salary/funding for 24 months)
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Bench fee: €310 per month of research in Ghent
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Travel & research budget: €8,000
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Covers:
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Research costs
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Operational costs
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Travel costs (student + supervisors)
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Partner University (Global South) funding (24 months):
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Full-time local PhD scholarship or salary
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Research funding support
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Teaching exemption (max 10% workload allowed)
Duration
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Total PhD duration: 48 months (4 years)
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24 months at Ghent University (Belgium)
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24 months in the Global South
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Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must:
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Be a national of a selected Global South country
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Apply jointly with:
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A supervisor at Ghent University
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A supervisor at a partner university in the South
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Be a degree student aiming for a (joint) PhD degree at Ghent University
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Be at the beginning stage of their PhD
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Have at least 36 months of PhD research remaining by 1 October 2026
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Have co-funding guaranteed for the 24 months in the South
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Have a research proposal relevant to North–South development priorities
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Have a local PhD supervisor in the South
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Receive a written guarantee of:
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Full-time funding in the South
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Teaching exemption (max 10% workload)
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Gender equity rule:
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A Ghent supervisor may support max 2 candidates per call, only if they are of different genders (to promote female participation)
Mobility Structure (Mandatory Model)
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Start with 3–12 months at Ghent University
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Then 24 months research in the Global South
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End with final research stay at Ghent University
First Ghent stay must start between 1 Oct 2026 – 28 Feb 2027
Co-Funding Requirement
Mandatory
Partner university must guarantee:
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Full-time funding for 24 months
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Research support
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Reduced teaching workload
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Official written confirmation
Application Deadline
17 February 2026
For more information and application:
Visit the official website of the Ghent University BOF Doctoral Sandwich Scholarship 2026