Ghent University is pleased to announce the 2025 call for Special Research Fund (BOF) labelled PhD scholarships. These scholarships are designed to support exceptional predoctoral researchers through strategic international and interdisciplinary partnerships.

Special Research Fund (BOF) PhD Scholarships aim to enable recipients to complete a PhD within 48 months. They are granted in collaboration with one of three distinct academic initiatives: UNU-CRIS (United Nations University Institute on Comparative Regional Integration Studies), GUGC (Ghent University Global Campus in South Korea), or the Blue Growth and Blue Economy program based at Ghent University’s science park in Ostend.

Each scholarship offers a monthly stipend of approximately €2,600, adjusted according to the scholar’s family status, along with a bench fee of €310 per month allocated to the promoter for operational expenses. The initiative not only fosters advanced academic research but also strengthens Ghent University’s commitment to global engagement and interdisciplinary innovation.

Candidates are invited to apply under one of the three labels, provided their research aligns with the specific thematic or institutional objectives outlined by the respective partner programs. This is an exceptional opportunity for driven researchers to be part of pioneering academic communities while contributing to critical global challenges through focused, high-impact research.

Key Details

• Host University: Ghent University
  
• Application Deadline: 21 May 2025 (23:59 CET)
• Result Announcement Dates: 29 August 2025
• Other Important Dates:
  • UNU-CRIS pre-application deadline: 14 May 2025
  • Master’s results deadline for non-UGent students: 14 July 2025
  • Start Date: 1 October 2025
• Funding Type: Fully funded PhD scholarship
• Eligible Countries: All nationalities
• Eligible Gender: Male and Female
• Target Group: Aspiring PhD researchers
• Focus Area/Field:
  • UNU-CRIS: Multi-level governance, regional cooperation, global policy
  • GUGC: Biomedical, environmental, biotech, food science, data science
  • Blue Growth: Marine/maritime research, blue economy
• Study Level: Doctoral/PhD
• Degree Required: Master’s degree
• Number of Opportunities: 2 per label annually
• Duration: 4 years (1+3 model)
• Program Language: English
• Host Country: Belgium (with partial research in Korea for GUGC)

Benefits of BOF PhD Scholarships

The scholarship offers the following benefits for the selected candidates:

• Monthly stipend of approx. €2,600 (adjusted for family status)
• Monthly bench fee of €310 for the promoter
• Full tuition waiver and access to research infrastructure
• International exposure and collaboration opportunities
• Split-site funding model for GUGC scholars (Belgium + Korea)
• Access to Blue Growth infrastructure at Ostend Science Park
• Supervision by top academics and researchers

Eligibility Criteria

Who can apply for the BOF PhD Scholarships?

• Open to applicants of all nationalities and backgrounds
• Must hold or be completing a Master’s degree (top 20% preferred)
• The project must align with one of the three labels: UNU-CRIS, GUGC, or Blue Growth
• Requires a UGent ZAP member as a supervisor
• Additional label-specific criteria:
  • UNU-CRIS: Project must match strategic vision; physical presence in Bruges is required
  • GUGC: At least one supervisor from GUGC and one from UGent; visa requires 3 years of experience if starting in

About BOF PhD Scholarships Labels

UNU-CRIS Label

What?
Since 2017, Ghent University has awarded two BOF doctoral scholarships annually with a UNU-CRIS label, linked to research on global and regional governance carried out at the UNU-CRIS campus in Bruges.

Conditions:

• Research must align with the UNU-CRIS mission on regional cooperation and multi-level governance.
• Topics may include migration, security, economy, climate, digital policy, border regions, or supranational organizations, especially outside the EU.
• Pre-application through UNU-CRIS is required by 14 May 2025.
• Doctoral students are enrolled at UGent but must work 4 days/week on-site at UNU-CRIS in Bruges.
• A letter of support from the UNU-CRIS Director (after a successful pre-application) must be attached.

GUGC Label

What?
Ghent University and its Global Campus (GUGC) in South Korea co-fund two annual BOF doctoral scholarships to foster research collaboration.

Conditions:

• Supervision must include one UGent and one GUGC-based researcher.
• The project must offer scientific quality and boost UGent-GUGC cooperation.
• Research is split: 2 years at UGent, 2 years at GUGC.
• The scholarship and regulations vary by location and are adjusted for local living costs.
• Starting at GUGC requires 3 years of prior work experience (due to Korean visa rules).
• A support letter from the GUGC supervisor is mandatory.

Blue Growth Label

What?
In 2024, Ghent University will grant 2 BOF doctoral scholarships with a Blue Growth label, focused on marine and maritime research at Ostend Science Park.

Conditions:

• Research must align with EU or Flemish Blue Growth strategies.
• At least one supervisor must belong to a marine/maritime research group listed in the VLIZ compendium.
• The PhD must involve supervisors from two different UGent faculties.
• Research must be conducted full-time at Ostend Science Park, using its specialized facilities.
• Contact Prof. Jana Asselman for details on infrastructure access.

How to apply for the BOF PhD Scholarships?

• Complete the relevant application form.
• Please email it to: [email protected].
• The Ghent University supervisor must also send a separate advice promotor document to the same email.
• Download the application form and documents from the bottom of the official webpage.
• Read the call document carefully before submitting.

Official Announcement and Application Form (Downloadable):

• Official Call with Lbel 2025
• Application form UNU_CRIS 2025
• Application form GUGC 2025
• Application form Blue Growth 2025
• Advice promotor
  

You can read more about the BOF Doctoral Scholarship on Ghent University’s website.

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