The Global Development Doctoral Scholarship is a
‘sandwich’-type scholarship that covers 48 months: a maximum of 24 months are
spent at KU Leuven. During this period, the scholar is formally appointed as a
doctoral scholarship holder, with the accompanying financial compensation, the
scholarship, at the KU Leuven. The remaining 24 months are spent at the
scholar’s home institution, where he/she is equally formally assigned by the
home institution via a fully-funded full-time position including social security
coverage similar to the staff members with the same level and qualifications
within the home institution. Thus, both partner institutions – KU Leuven and
the partner in the home country of the scholar – co-finance the project.
The Ph.D. degree is awarded by the KU Leuven.
The completion of the research project must be feasible
within a maximum period of four years. Consequently, the KU Leuven Global Minds
Scholarships are only granted for programs with a maximum duration of 48
months. Further extensions are not possible under any circumstance. If needed,
the doctoral committee can require the candidate to follow the predoctoral
program and test. In that case, the KU Leuven Global Minds program can only
provide additional funding for a maximum of 6 months.
Eligible Criteria
1. The applicant must be a citizen of one of the countries from
Asia, Africa, and South America. Included
in this list.
2. Candidates who hold citizenship of the EU will not be
selected. The same applies to applicants with a long-term EU residence permit.
3. The candidate's latest Master’s degree must have been awarded
no more than ten years prior to 1 October 2022 (including the ongoing calendar
year).
4. The candidate must have been awarded an academic grade
equivalent to High Distinction or higher. Degrees obtained with a final score
equivalent to second class second/lower division will not be taken into
consideration.
5. The research project must be of excellent academic
quality, with a special focus on the development relevance of the proposal.
6. The research project must have a clear time frame
indicating how the research periods at KU Leuven and at the home institution
will alternate (a maximum period of 12 months at the home institution should
alternate with a maximum period of 12 months at KU Leuven).
7. The candidate must be formally affiliated to a university
in the home country. In case the candidate has no such affiliation yet, he/she
is eligible to apply to this scholarship program but will only be granted the
scholarship once such an affiliation is obtained.
8. The applicant’s home university must demonstrate
sufficient financial support for the doctoral project, guaranteeing that the
candidate receives financial means, via a fully-funded full-time position
including social security coverage similar to the staff members with the same
level and qualifications within the home institution. The home institution must
also guarantee, in writing, that the candidate can dedicate himself/herself
sufficiently to conducting doctoral research during the periods spent at the
home institution. As will be stipulated in the contract, at least 80% of the
time spent at the home institution should be dedicated to conducting doctoral research.
9. Candidates who are already enrolled as Ph.D. students at KU
Leuven and who are financed by KU Leuven are not eligible for this program.
They may be eligible for the Ph.D. Scholarships for Researchers from the South
though.
10. Candidates who have been employed before in an EEA
country other than Belgium are not eligible for this scholarship. They may be
eligible for the Ph.D. Scholarships for Researchers from the South though.
11. The candidate must demonstrate a development-oriented
motivation.
12. The candidate must be supported by a KU Leuven promoter.
13. The candidate must be supported by a local co-promoter
at his/her home university.
14. The candidate must demonstrate excellent recommendations
from at least two relevant referees.
Required document
- CV / Resume
- Research Topic and proposal - Before submitting a Global Development Ph.D. application, candidates must have their own formal doctoral research topic proposal. The research proposal must be original and innovative. Moreover, it must be clear and goal-oriented, and its completion must be feasible within a maximum period of four years (48 months). The topic is preferably related to one of the Sustainable Development Goals.
- Motivation letter
Benefits & Awards
- 1. Monthly allowance of 2199 Euro
- 2. 4 Air tickets ( Economy class only)
- 3. Full tuition fee
- 4. Supervision Allowance – 310 Euro per month
- 5. Professional and accident insurance coverage; third-party liability insurance (study-related matters and for professional liability)
Deadline
29th of April 2022
Application
