The VLIR-UOS ICP Connect Scholarships provide an opportunity for students from 30 selected countries in Africa, Asia, and Latin America to pursue an English-taught Master’s program at Flemish universities or universities of applied sciences and arts in Belgium. These scholarships support students in gaining advanced knowledge and skills in fields critical to global and sustainable development.
Host Institutions
The scholarships are offered at participating universities and university colleges in Belgium’s Flemish region.
Eligible Programs
The scholarships are available for a range of Master’s and Bachelor’s programs, including:
Bachelor’s (3 years)
Master’s (2 years)
- Agro- and Environmental Nematology
- Rural Development
- Aquaculture (IMAQUA)
- Epidemiology
- Food Technology
- Marine and Lacustrine Science and Management
- Statistics and Data Science
- Sustainable Development
- Transportation Sciences (Road Safety)
- Water Resources Engineering (WRE)
- Nutrition and Food Systems
- Sustainable Land Management
- Tropical Biodiversity and Ecosystems (TROPIMUNDO)
Application Deadlines
Most program deadlines fall around February 1 or February 28, 2025, with a specific deadline of November 30, 2024, for the Tropical Biodiversity and Ecosystems program.
Scholarship Value and Duration
The VLIR-UOS scholarships are fully funded, covering tuition, travel, insurance, and living expenses (including board and lodging). Scholarships are awarded for the full duration of the program, typically 12, 24, or 36 months, depending on the course length.
Eligibility Criteria
To be considered for the VLIR-UOS ICP Connect Scholarship, applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Nationality and Residency: Must be a national and resident of one of the 30 eligible countries listed.
- Age Requirements: For Bachelor’s or initial Master’s programs, applicants must be under 35 by January 1 of the intake year. Advanced Master’s applicants must be under 45. Applicants to Bachelor’s programs must also be at least 19 by this date.
- Professional Background: Preference is given to those working in education, government, or civil society sectors. Applicants with private sector experience or recent graduates without work experience may also apply if they present a strong profile and motivation.
- Scholarship Limitations: Candidates can apply for only one ICP Connect scholarship per year and cannot have previously received a scholarship from the Belgian government for any program. Additionally, they must not have been enrolled in a Belgian educational institution before January 1 of the intake year.
Application Process
Applicants must apply directly through the university’s website, specifying their interest in both the program and the scholarship. Detailed application instructions and requirements can be found on the official website of each Master’s program, linked through the VLIR-UOS scholarship page.
For further information and program-specific details, visit the Official VLIR-UOS Scholarship Website.
