The selection process will consider two groups of countries. For 2023, only applicants affiliated with universities in countries belonging to Cluster 1 will be eligible to apply.

• Cluster 1 comprises the following countries: Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Congo, Côte d’Ivoire, DR Congo, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, the Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Libya, Mali, Mauretania, Morocco, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, South Sudan, Sudan, Togo, Tunisia, and Western-Sahara.
• Cluster 2 consists of the following countries: Angola, Botswana, Burundi, Djibouti, Eritrea, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Kenya, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Rwanda, Somalia, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

About Ghent University

Ghent University is recognized as a prestigious institution and is ranked among the top 100 universities worldwide. It holds a prominent position among the universities in Belgium. With 11 faculties, it offers a diverse range of over 200 courses and is actively involved in conducting extensive research across various scientific fields.

Additionally, Ghent University Global Campus holds the distinction of being the first European university located in Songdo, South Korea.

Ghent University Research Fellowships

Aim And Benefits Research Fellowships

The fellowships include a financial grant of € 1000 and a round-trip flight ticket. These are provided for at least two weeks to cover or partially support travel, accommodation, and living expenses.

It is important to note that additional funding will be required in most cases, although only research funding will be considered, not personal funds. As Ghent University visiting scholars, they will be provided with office space and access to various facilities, including the library.

Requirements For Fellowships Qualification

Available for researchers from Africa

Interview Date, Process And Venue For Research Fellowships

The selection process will consider the following criteria:

• The candidate’s profile, which includes their CV and scientific achievements, carries a weightage of 25%.
• The research plan’s motivation, feasibility, and academic quality also contribute 25% to the evaluation process.
• The decisive criterion, accounting for 50% of the assessment, focuses on the added value and sustainability of the research stay. This criterion emphasizes the impact of the stay on future departmental and institutional collaboration.
• Priority is given to new types of collaboration, specifically new initiatives with a fresh scope. Consequently, candidates who have not visited UGent in the past 12 months will be given preference.
• Interdisciplinary research forms are prioritized throughout the evaluation process.

Timeline

• The deadline for submitting applications is October 1, 2023.
• The selection process results will be announced by the end of October 2023.
• The mobility period for the chosen candidates will span from January to December 2024.

Documents Required For Application

• Personal details
• A cover letter that includes:
  • The intended visit period
  • The research group with which you plan to affiliate
  • A motivation explaining how your current and future research at your home university will benefit from a research stay at Ghent
  • Indication of whether this visit involves a new type of collaboration
• A research plan containing:
  • Research objectives
  • Methods and tools
  • Work plan for the intended visit
  • Potential long-term cooperation plans
  • Emphasis on the interdisciplinary nature of the research, if applicable
• A budget proposal
• A list of your three most significant publications
• Signatures:
  • Your signature
  • The signature of the Ghent University promotor (It is important to have a Ghent University promotor during the application stage. You can use the online research directory to find a suitable promotor if you don’t have one. A short motivation statement from the Ghent University promotor is also required.)
• A concise curriculum vitae (maximum 2 pages) and proof of your PhD degree should be attached to the application form.

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Application Deadline

October 1, 2023

How To Apply

If you are interested and meet the qualifications, you can apply by visiting Ghent University’s website at www.africaplatform.ugent.be. Your application should be submitted in either English or French. The application form will consist of the following sections:

• 1. Personal details
  2. A cover letter that includes:
     • The intended visit period
     • The research group with which you plan to affiliate
     • A motivation explaining how your current and future research at your home university will benefit from a research stay at Ghent
     • Indication of whether this visit involves a new type of collaboration
  3. A research plan containing:
     • Research objectives
     • Methods and tools
     • Work plan for the intended visit
     • Potential long-term cooperation plans
     • Emphasis on the interdisciplinary nature of the research, if applicable
  4. A budget proposal
  5. A list of your three most significant publications
  6. To complete your application, you will need both your signature and the signature of your Ghent University promotor. This indicates that you should already have a Ghent University promotor when applying. If you have no connections with Ghent University, you can use the online research directory to find a promotor. Your Ghent University promotor will also require a brief statement of motivation from you.
  7. Please attach a concise curriculum vitae (maximum 2 pages) and provide proof of your PhD degree along with the application form.

The application submission must be emailed to Annelies.Verdoolaege@UGent.be as a PDF file no later than 1 October 2023. Applications that are incomplete or arrive after the deadline will not be considered. It is important to note that only one grant can be awarded to each individual.

For more details, visit the Ghent University website.