Doctoral Scholarships in the framework of the Interfaculty Council for Development Co-operation (IRO), Belgium

KU Leuven offers each academic year scholarships to deserving students from developing countries to do their PhD in the largest university of Flanders, Belgium. 

General Eligibility Conditions

1. The applicant must be a citizen of one of the countries on the OECD DAC table that are listed under the following categories: Least Developed Countries, Low Income Countries or Low Middle Income Countries.
2. The time period between the date of completion of your MA degree and the date of submission of your scholarship application can be no more than ten years.
3. Excellent academic results
4. Excellent research project
5. Proof of embedness in the South and motivation in the framework of development cooperation
6. Excellent recommendations

Application procedure

1. Online application:

If you meet the eligibility conditions, you will need to complete the online application form accurately and fully. Please read the instructions carefully on how to download, fill in and send the application form. Please note the instructions about uploading PDF documents and sending the certified copies of diplomas and transcripts of records in hard copy.

Please note that the system only accepts one application form per faculty. Even though your research topic may be different and your prospective promoter may be different within the same faculty, you still can submit only one application for the first research topic and promoter, and you will have to contact the case administrator to inform her that you want to apply for a second topic and with a different promoter within the same faculty.

2. Documents to upload and submit:

• The elaboration form of your Research Proposal signed by the appropriate professors. (Applicants who are already enrolled in a doctoral programme at KU Leuven will only need to prepare the detailed progress report as defined in their Doctoral School. The report must be signed by the promoter and the members of the examination committee of the doctoral student.)
• Your personal motivation and the development relevance of your research proposal making use of this form. Herein the applicant must explain how the research proposal can be approached and treated in a manner relevant to development cooperation.
• Two letters of recommendation by persons other than your (prospective) promoter and local co-promoter, who are qualified to assess your academic capabilities. The two letters of recommendation should be submitted in sealed envelopes and sent directly by the referees to International Admissions and Mobility, KU Leuven, Atrecht College, Naamsestraat 63 - bus 5410, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium before January 15.
• Certificate of English proficiency, for instance a TOEFL score or an IELTS score or results of an equivalent test (only for new students who have not yet been enrolled at KU Leuven). The TOEFL or IELTS score should be sent to International Admissions and Mobility by ETS or by The British Council, respectively, before January 15.
• Only for applicants for the doctoral programme in economics or applied economics: a GMAT or GRE score (for a GMAT score, please contact GMAC [code JQH7X51] and arrange for an original score card to be sent directly to International Admissions and Mobility by ETS or GMAC, respectively, before January 15.
• Copies of applications for other scholarships, if any.

Application deadline is 15^th January 2014

Click here for further scholarship details and application