Ghent University - Special Research Fund - Cofunding for Chinese candidates holding a CSC-grant

UGent-CSC cofunding for Chinese PhD candidates

You will receive a monthly allowance from Ghent University, which will bring your total income up to at least 1,610 EUR per month. This is paid in addition to your China Scholarship Council (CSC) scholarship. The allowance is granted for the entire duration of your CSC scholarship, up to 48 months. Furthermore, you will not be required to pay any tuition fees, laboratory fees (laboratory and equipment fees) or any other study-related costs at Ghent University. The grant is funded by the university’s Special Research Fund (BOF). Each year, Ghent University and the CSC jointly support around 50 new Chinese PhD students.

Who can apply

• Nationality: You are Chinese and intend to apply for a CSC scholarship in the 2027 cycle.
• Degree: You already hold a Master’s degree or are in the final year of your Master’s programme. If a Chinese university has already enrolled you as a PhD student on the basis of a Bachelor’s degree, you may also apply under a joint PhD programme.
• Where you study: You are seeking a PhD from Ghent University in Belgium, either exclusively there or as part of a joint PhD programme between Ghent and your Chinese university. You are not eligible to apply if you are a visiting or exchange student and will be obtaining your PhD exclusively in China.
• Field of study: Open to all fields of research.
• No earlier CSC grant: You have never received a CSC scholarship before.
• Timing: You must begin the admission procedure for a PhD programme at Ghent University by 16 December 2026. If you are starting on 1 October 2027, you must not have been enrolled as a PhD student in Ghent for more than one year.
• Supervisor: A professor at Ghent University has agreed to supervise you. Each supervisor may support only one candidate per call for applications.

How to apply

First, find a supervisor at Ghent University and start the online admission procedure for the PhD programme. Then send your application by email by 16 December 2026 by 23:59 (Belgian time) to the university’s ‘Special Research Fund’ office, ensuring that your supervisor is listed as the sender or included in the cc field. Please write your application in English. Ghent University will shortlist a group of applicants, and the CSC will make the final decision.

How realistic are your chances?

Every year, Ghent University shortlists up to 55–60 applicants, and the CSC then selects around 50 of them for funding. Consequently, most applicants who pass Ghent University’s shortlisting process go on to receive a scholarship.

You can find more scholarships in our guide Scholarships in Belgium.