This is the Global Thinking PhD Scholarship Program at KU Leuven – applications are open. Interested and qualified candidates should review the scholarship guide below to learn about eligibility, requirements, and how to apply.
The purpose of the GM Scholarship is to provide scholars with the opportunity to undertake doctoral research for 4 years in a “sandwich” system, meaning to maximize 50% of research funded by and conducted at KU Leuven, while at least 50% The event is funded by the scholar’s home institution and supported by local co-sponsors. Therefore, as partners, KU Leuven and its alma mater co-fund this research. However, KU Leuven also provides supervisory stipends to the local co-sponsors of the host institution as well as to the KU Leuven sponsor.
This scholarship is offered to outstanding proposals involving development-related research topics, preferably related to one or more of the Sustainable Development Goals.
After receiving a PhD from KU Leuven, PhD holders are expected to leverage their expertise at their home university to help strengthen the institution’s capabilities.
The University of Leuven is about twenty kilometers away from Brussels, the capital of Belgium and Europe. It is the oldest university in the Low Countries. As such, it has a long tradition of hospitality to students and scholars from overseas. Currently, more than 11,000 international students (approximately 18% of KU Leuven students) have found their home away from home in Leuven.
Eligibility Criteria for the KU Leuven Global Thinking PhD Scholarship Program
1. Applicants must be citizens of one of the countries listed on this list.
2. Candidates with EU citizenship will not be selected. The same applies to applicants holding an EU long-term residence permit.
3. The candidate’s most recent master’s degree must be awarded no more than ten years before October 1, 2023 (including the ongoing calendar year).
4. Candidates must obtain academic grades equivalent to High Distinction or higher. Degrees with final grades equivalent to second class/lower division will not be considered.
5. Research projects must be of excellent academic quality, with particular emphasis on the developmental relevance of the proposal.
6. The research project must have a clear time frame indicating how the research cycle will alternate between KU Leuven and the host institution (maximum duration of 12 months at the host institution and 12 months at KU Leuven).
7. Candidates must be formally affiliated with a university in their home country. If a candidate does not already have such affiliation, s/he is eligible to apply for this scholarship program but will receive the scholarship only after obtaining such affiliation.
8. The applicant’s university must demonstrate sufficient financial support for the doctoral program to ensure that the candidate has the financial means through a fully funded, full-time position, including social security coverage similar to that of equivalent, equally qualified staff within the home institution. The host institution must also provide written assurance that the candidate will be fully committed to conducting doctoral research while at the host institution. According to the contract, at least 80% of the time at the host institution will be spent on doctoral research. Candidates who are not yet affiliated with their home university should submit a letter of intent from their home institution indicating that the candidate will be recruited and assigned to conduct doctoral research at that institution. Scholarships will only be awarded if the candidate is officially affiliated with a university in their home country and the university is able to demonstrate sufficient support.
9. Candidates who are already registered as doctoral students at KU Leuven and are funded by KU Leuven are not eligible to participate in the program. However, they may be eligible for PhD scholarships for Southern researchers.
10. Candidates who have worked in an EEA country outside Belgium are not eligible for this scholarship. However, they may be eligible for PhD scholarships for Southern researchers.
11. Candidates must demonstrate development-oriented motivation.
12. Candidates must have the support of a director of KU Leuven.
13. The candidate must be supported by a local co-tutor at her/his home university.
14. Candidates must demonstrate excellent references from at least two relevant references.
15. Candidates must follow a two-step application process. In order to be able to apply for the KU Leuven Global Thinking PhD Scholarship, you must first obtain admission to the KU Leuven PhD program. us It is highly recommended to start this process at least 1.5 months before the due date (March 9, 2023), (Procedures started too late may not be evaluated in time by the PhD Committee or the PhD School!).
16. The closing date for applications is 5pm (GMT) on 9 March 2023. Applications are submitted via a digital application form (available as soon as possible – see scholarship application form). On this form you will find further specifications (regarding number of pages, languages, attachments, etc.).
17. The candidate has read and agreed to the regulations, obligations and conditions for the termination of the Global Thinking PhD Scholarship at KU Leuven. Candidates must also comply with KU Leuven’s internal regulations for awarding doctoral scholarships (please consult your sponsor).
18. Candidates shall not submit an application unless the above conditions are met. Incomplete or late applications will not be considered. There will be no exceptions.
Countries included in the scholarship country list include :
Africa: Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Guinea, Kenya, Madagascar, Morocco, Mozambique, Niger, Rwanda, Senegal, Tanzania, Uganda, Zimbabwe, South Africa
Asia: Cambodia, Indonesia, Philippines, Palestinian territories, Vietnam
Latin America: Bolivia, Cuba, Ecuador, Haiti, Nicaragua, Peru
Scholarship application process
1. Apply to study in a PhD or pre-doctoral program
In order to be able to apply for the GM Scholarship, candidates must first gain admission to the PhD (pre-) programme. Please follow the online application instructions accurately. Make sure to get admission as early as possible. We strongly recommend that you gain admission 1.5 months before the PhD scholarship deadline (March 9, 2023). If the application process begins too late, application documents may not be evaluated in a timely manner. Incomplete applications will not be considered. There will be no exceptions.
2. Apply for the KU Leuven Global Thinking PhD Scholarship
Once a candidate has gained admission to a PhD or pre-doctoral program, his or her supervisor can apply for the KU Leuven Global Thinking PhD Scholarship. Closing date is 5pm (GMT) on 9 March 2023. Applications must be submitted using the digital application form (coming online soon) and completed by a supervisor. In this table you will find further specifications (regarding number of pages, languages, attachments, etc.).
The main contents of scholarship application include:
- Candidate’s resume in Europass format
- Candidate’s bibliography, use this form
- Local Co-Supervisor Resume
- Research proposal (max 6 pages)
- Motivation letter (max 3 pages)
- Proof of the candidate’s affiliation with the university
- The host institution must also provide written assurance that the candidate will be fully committed to conducting doctoral research while at the host institution
- Certified copy of the candidate’s contract with the institution
- Two letters of recommendation from relevant external referees.
Official scholarship website: http://www.nottingham.ac.uk/studywithus/international-applicants/scholarships-fees-and-finance/scholarships/masters-scholarships/dev-sol-masters.aspx
in conclusion
We believe you will find this scholarship guide useful. If you have any comments or questions to ask, be sure to use the comment box below and we’ll address all of them as soon as we see them.
