Ghent University–China Scholarship Council (CSC) Doctoral and Postdoctoral Scholarships for Chinese Researchers Ghent University in Belgium

Ghent University, renowned for its strong tradition of international collaboration, offers an exciting opportunity for Chinese researchers through its partnership with the China Scholarship Council (CSC). This program provides doctoral and postdoctoral scholarships to Chinese nationals, supporting both full PhD degrees and joint/double PhD programs, as well as postdoctoral research and short-term visiting scholar positions. Each year, approximately 50 PhD students are selected to pursue their research at Ghent University, either as full PhD candidates or through joint programs with their home institutions in China.

The CSC-Ghent University scholarship program is designed to foster academic exchange and research excellence across a wide range of disciplines, including but not limited to biology, chemistry, physics, computer science, medical science, engineering, economics, psychology, and sociology. Selected students benefit from a comprehensive funding package: CSC provides a basic monthly allowance (currently 1350 euros), and Ghent University offers tuition and bench fee waivers. Preference program students also receive a small top-up scholarship from Ghent University to ensure their total monthly income meets the university's recommended minimum for PhD students.

Eligibility for the program requires Chinese nationality and compliance with CSC's criteria. Applicants for a full PhD (typically 4 years) should be last-year Master students or hold a Master degree, while joint PhD candidates (2–6 years) and exchange PhD students (<1 year) must be currently enrolled in a Chinese university. English proficiency at level B2 is mandatory for all PhD studies at Ghent University. Admission is contingent upon academic equivalence, a solid research proposal, and language skills, and only those who receive a CSC Confirmation Grant Letter can enroll and access the full benefits of the program.

The application process involves several steps. Prospective students must first identify and contact a Ghent University professor willing to act as their supervisor. For the Preference program, candidates submit a pre-selection application to Ghent University; only pre-selected candidates may then apply to CSC in China. For the Personal program, students apply directly to CSC with the support of a Ghent University supervisor. All applicants must complete the university's admission procedure and include an official Letter of Admission or Invitation in their CSC application. The program ensures that CSC scholarship holders are exempt from all study-related costs at Ghent University.

Joint PhD students benefit from agreements between Ghent University and their home institutions, covering degree form, publication authorship, intellectual property, jury composition, and defense location. Exchange PhD students receive official invitation letters guaranteeing fee waivers and specifying study duration and language. Ghent University supervisors play a key role in initiating admission procedures and supporting candidates throughout the process.

The current cooperation agreement between Ghent University and CSC runs until 30 November 2028, with the next application deadline on 30 November 2026. Interested candidates are encouraged to consult the official program webpage for detailed guidelines and to contact the university for further information. This scholarship program represents a unique opportunity for Chinese researchers to advance their academic careers in a vibrant, international research environment at Ghent University.