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, enabling them to pursue research across a wide range of disciplines at Ghent University in Belgium. Each year, approximately 50 PhD students are selected to join Ghent University either for a full PhD, a jointly-supervised PhD (including double PhD degrees), or postdoctoral research. The initiative is designed to foster academic exchange and strengthen research ties between China and Belgium.

Selected PhD students under the Preference program benefit from a comprehensive funding package: they are exempt from tuition fees, bench fees, and other study-related costs at Ghent University. In addition to the standard CSC scholarship (currently 1350 euros per month), Ghent University provides a small top-up scholarship to ensure students meet the university's recommended minimum income for doctoral candidates. For those applying under the Personal program, the CSC scholarship covers basic living expenses and fee waivers, but does not include a top-up from Ghent University. All funding details and eligibility requirements are clearly outlined on the official CSC and Ghent University websites.

Eligibility for the program is restricted to Chinese nationals who meet CSC criteria. Applicants for a full PhD (typically 4 years) must be last-year Master students or already hold a Master degree, either from a Chinese or international university. Joint PhD candidates (2–6 years) and exchange PhD candidates (<1 year) must be currently enrolled as PhD students at a Chinese university. English language proficiency at level B2 is mandatory for all PhD studies at Ghent University. The admission process is rigorous and requires equivalence of academic degrees, a research proposal, and proof of language skills. Only candidates who receive a CSC Confirmation Grant Letter are eligible to enroll and receive the associated fee waivers and funding.

To apply, candidates must first identify and contact a Ghent University professor in their research area who will act as their supervisor. Together, they prepare the application and initiate the university's admission procedure. For the Preference program, a pre-selection application must be submitted to Ghent University; only pre-selected candidates can then apply to CSC in China. The official Letter of Admission or Invitation from Ghent University is a required component of the CSC application. For the Personal program, candidates apply directly to CSC with the support of a Ghent University supervisor. The program covers a broad spectrum of research fields, including but not limited to biology, chemistry, physics, computer science, mathematics, medical science, environmental science, economics, engineering, psychology, sociology, and neuroscience.

The application deadline for the Preference program is November 30, 2026. Interested candidates should consult the official program webpage for detailed guidelines and procedures. For further inquiries, applicants can contact the program via the provided email address. Ghent University encourages all eligible Chinese researchers to take advantage of this unique opportunity to advance their academic careers in a vibrant international environment.