Study in Belgium: VLIR-UOS Undergraduate & Masters Scholarships (ICP) 2025/2026 for Developing Countries. VLIR-UOS offers full Masters Scholarships in Belgium for students from developing countries, with half of the scholarships reserved for African students and a preference for women applicants. These scholarships cover eligible training or Master’s programs taught in English at Belgian institutions.
Application Deadline
- Application deadlines vary by program, with a final end date around April 2025. Please check specific program deadlines.
Scholarship Overview
The VLIR-UOS scholarship program facilitates academic exchange and development between higher education institutions in Flanders, Belgium, and developing countries. Designed for students with a commitment to sustainable development, these scholarships empower graduates to apply their skills within their home countries.
Eligible Countries
Applicants from the following countries are eligible:
- Africa: Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, DR Congo, Ethiopia, Guinea, Cameroon, Kenya, Madagascar, Mali, Morocco, Mozambique, Rwanda, Senegal, Tanzania, Uganda, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Niger
- Asia: Cambodia, Philippines, Indonesia, Palestinian Territories, Vietnam
- Latin America: Bolivia, Cuba, Ecuador, Guatemala, Haiti, Nicaragua, Peru
Host Country
- Belgium
Accepted Subject Areas
The following English-taught programs are eligible:
- Professional Bachelor Programs (3 years)
- Bachelor of Hotel Management
- Bachelor of Applied Computer Science
- One-Year Master Programs
- Master of Human Settlements
- Master of Development Evaluation and Management
- Master of Governance and Development
- Master of Globalization and Development
- Master of Cultural Anthropology and Development Studies
- Two-Year Master Programs
- International Master of Science in Agro- & Environmental Nematology
- Master of Aquaculture (IMAQUA)
- Master of Epidemiology
- Master of Science in Food Technology
- Master of Science in Marine and Lacustrine Science and Management
- Master of Statistics and Data Science
- Master in Sustainable Development
- Master of Transportation Sciences – Road Safety
- Master of Water Resources Engineering (WRE)
- Master of Science in Nutrition and Food Systems
- Master of Science in Sustainable Land Management
- Master of Science in Tropical Biodiversity and Ecosystems
Scholarship Benefits
The VLIR-UOS ICP Connect scholarships cover tuition fees, travel, insurance, and living expenses for the full study duration (12-36 months).
Eligibility Criteria
To apply for a scholarship, candidates must meet the following requirements:
- Age:
- 35 years for initial Masters and 40 years for advanced Masters (as of January 1 of the intake year).
- For ITP candidates, the maximum age is 45.
- Nationality and Residency:
- Candidates must be nationals and residents of one of the 31 VLIR-UOS eligible countries.
- Professional Background:
- Priority is given to those employed in academia, research, government, or NGOs, or aiming for a career in these fields. Candidates without experience are eligible for ICP, while ITP candidates must show relevant experience.
- Motivation:
- Applicants should convincingly outline how the program aligns with their career goals.
- Scholarship History:
- Applicants must not have received previous scholarships from the Belgian government or enrolled in a Flemish institution for a Master’s program before the intake year.
Selection Criteria
Candidates are selected based on motivation, professional experience, gender (female preference for equally qualified applicants), regional balance, LNOB (priority for disadvantaged groups), and scholarship history.
Awarded Scholarships
- Up to 180 scholarships
Application Process
- Apply first for the Master’s program of interest via the respective program’s website, following its specific application guidelines.
- Indicate your interest in a VLIR-UOS scholarship within the program application. The program coordinator will forward your application to VLIR-UOS if eligible.
- Direct applications to VLIR-UOS will not be considered.
