✨ Should I Apply for Ghent University Doctoral Grants for Candidates from Developing Countries (BOF)?
Instant AI-powered application intelligence
72%
Eligibility Match
20%
Win Probability
7/10
Difficulty
10/10
Reward Score
30–45 hrs
Time Required
Competitive (Low)
Competition
🌍 Overview
💰
Award Amount
Approximately €2,500 per month plus €310 monthly bench fee
⏱
Duration
24 months of funding (spread over 4 years)
🗓
Deadline
February 20 (Annual)
🌐
Fields
All academic fields offered by Ghent University
🏆
Awards/Year
Approximately 10 awards per year
🌏
Study Country
Belgium
🏛️
Provider
Ghent University Special Research Fund (BOF)
📊
Acceptance
Check official website
This scholarship is intended for PhD students from developing countries who wish to carry out half of their research at Ghent University and half at a university in a developing country.
👥 Who Should Apply
Applicants must be from a developing country, have a Ghent University supervisor, and commit to a sandwich PhD (split between Ghent and home country).
🏛️ Host University
Ghent University
🤝 Sponsor
Ghent University
🌐 Fields of Study
All academic fields offered by Ghent University
✨ Key Benefits
Provides a monthly stipend, travel allowance, and research bench fees for a total of 24 months under a sandwich PhD program.
🎯 Target Students
International PhD students from developing nations
🏷 Tags
PhDBelgiumResearchDeveloping CountriesSandwich Program
📊 Statistics & Competitiveness
Varies
Applicants Last Year
10
Winners
Check official website
Acceptance Rate
Competitive (Low)
Competition Level
Win Probability
20%
Match Score
72%
Competition
75%
💸 Funding Breakdown
Tuition
Yes
Living Stipend
Yes
Total Award
Approximately €2,500 per m
✈️ Travel: Yes (fixed travel allowance of €8,000 for the duration)🏠 Accommodation: No (paid from stipend)💊 Health Insurance: Yes🔄 Renewable: No💳 App Fee: Free
🎓 Tuition Coverage
Yes
🏠 Living Stipend
Yes
🏡 Accommodation
No (paid from stipend)
✈️ Travel Allowance
Yes (fixed travel allowance of €8,000 for the duration)
💊 Health Insurance
Yes
🎁 Other Benefits
Bench fees for the promoter/supervisor and administrative support
🔄 Renewable
No
📋 Renewal Conditions
Not applicable
✅ Eligibility Requirements
🌍 Eligible Nationalities
Candidates from developing countries on the DAC list of the OECD
🎓 Academic Level
PhD
📊 Minimum GPA
Top 10% of class or equivalent academic excellence
🗣️ English Requirement
B2 or C1 level (TOEFL, IELTS, or University certificate)
🎂 Age Limit
No strict age limit
💼 Work Experience
Not required
🏆 Leadership
Not required but beneficial
💰 Financial Need
Not specifically required; merit-based
🎯 Target Students
International PhD students from developing nations
📝 Application Requirements
Essay / SOP
Yes (Research Proposal)
Rec Letters
Yes
Interview
Varies (usually conducted by the supervisor)
Application Fee
Free
Documents Required
Academic Transcripts
Passport / National ID
Yes Recommendation Letters
CV / Resume
Personal Statement / Essays
B2 or C1 level (TOEFL, IELTS, or University certificate)
Interview: Varies (usually conducted by the supervisor)
Min GPA: Top 10% of class or equivalent academic excellence
📋 Application Process
Find a Ghent University supervisor well in advance and align your research with their expertise.
💡 Insider Tip: Ensure your home university is supportive of the sandwich model and provides the necessary research environment.
🗺️ Application Roadmap
1
Research eligibility and gather requirements
Start Early
2
Collect all required documents
Start Early
3
Request recommendation letters early
4
Write compelling essays and personal statement
⚠ High Risk Stage
5
Submit complete application before deadline
6
Await shortlisting and attend interview if required
⚠ High Risk Stage
📅 Key Dates & Timeline
📅 Opens
November (Annual)
⏰ Deadline
February 20 (Annual)
🎤 Interview
Varies (usually conducted by the supervisor)
🎓 Study Starts
October 1
November (Annual)
Applications Open
Gather documents and begin essays
February 20 (Annual)
Application Deadline
Submit complete application — no late entries
Varies (usually conducted by the supervisor)
Shortlisting & Interview
Selected candidates invited for interview
After results
Award Announced
Successful applicants notified
October 1
Studies Begin
Commence degree at host institution
⚖️ Selection Process
📋 Selection Criteria
Academic merit, research proposal quality, relevance to development, and supervisor support.
⚡ Similar Scholarships
Scholarship
Country
Coverage
Level
Ghent University Doctoral Grants for Candidates from Developing Countries (BOF)Current
Applicants must be from a developing country, have a Ghent University supervisor, and commit to a sandwich PhD (split between Ghent and home country).
This scholarship covers: Provides a monthly stipend, travel allowance, and research bench fees for a total of 24 months under a sandwich PhD program.. It is a fully funded scholarship.
The deadline is February 20 (Annual). Always verify with the official website as dates may change annually.
Competition level: Competitive (Low). Acceptance rate: Check official website. Strong academic record and clear motivation are essential.
No
Typically required: academic transcripts, passport, B2 or C1 level (TOEFL, IELTS, or University certificate), Yes recommendation letters, CV, personal statement/motivation letter. Check official website for the complete list.