Special Research Fund (BOF) PhD Grants – UNU-CRIS, GUGC, and Blue Growth Labels (2025)

Introduction
Through the Special Research Fund (BOF), Ghent University yearly awards PhD scholarships inside three strategic partnerships:

• United Nations University Institute on Comparative Regional Integration Studies (UNU-CRIS)
• Ghent University Global Campus (GUGC) in South Korea
• Blue Growth and Blue Economy (Bluebridge COB) on the Ostend Science Park

These scholarships intention to assist analysis resulting in a PhD inside 48 months. Scholarships embody:

• Monthly grant of roughly €2,600 (relying on household standing)
• A bench payment of €310/month awarded to the supervisor for operational prices

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1. UNU-CRIS Label

Overview
In partnership with the United Nations University and Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Ghent University has awarded two UNU-CRIS-labeled BOF doctoral scholarships yearly since 2017.

Research Focus
Research should align with UNU-CRIS’ mission:

“UNU-CRIS focuses on new patterns of regional cooperation and multi-level governance worldwide, centering on the implications of these changing patterns for public policy.”

Themes might embody:

• Migration and social coverage
• Security
• Economy
• Climate
• Digital governance
• Supranational regional organizations
• Role of sub-national authorities
• Border area research
• Regions past the EU are significantly inspired

Conditions

• The candidate should be bodily current at UNU-CRIS in Bruges 4 days per week
• The analysis challenge should align with UNU-CRIS’ strategic imaginative and prescient
• Supervisor might be affiliated with UNU-CRIS in the course of the challenge
• A supporting assertion by Dr. Philippe De Lombaerde (UNU-CRIS Director) should be connected to the application kind

How to Apply

1. Apply for the UNU-CRIS label by submitting this form earlier than 14 May 2025. If granted, you’ll obtain a assist letter.
2. Complete the BOF application kind and ship it to BOFapplication@ugent.be with Andrew Dunn (adunn@cris.unu.edu) in CC, by 21 May 2025.
3. The UGent supervisor should additionally submit a separate opinion on the candidate’s analysis potential (promotor recommendation) by 21 May 2025.

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2. GUGC Label

Overview
GUGC is Ghent University’s worldwide campus situated in Incheon (Songdo), South Korea. Two joint PhD scholarships have been awarded yearly since 2022.

Research Focus

Research should contain collaboration between:

• A UGent-based supervisor
• A GUGC-based supervisor

Five GUGC Research Centers:

• Centre for Biomedical Research
• Centre for Environmental and Energy Research
• Food Research Centre
• Lab of Plant Growth Analysis
• Center for Biotech Data Science

Conditions

• Requires one supervisor from UGent and one from GUGC
• GUGC supervisor should present a written assertion of assist
• Research length is break up: 2 years at UGent, 2 years at GUGC
• Scholarship quantity adjusts based mostly on value of residing in Belgium and Korea
• Starting at GUGC requires 3 years of prior work expertise (for Korean visa compliance)

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3. Blue Growth Label

Overview
Ghent University helps blue economic system analysis by way of the Bluebridge campus in Ostend. In 2025, two Blue Growth-labeled scholarships will be awarded.

Research Focus

Eligible initiatives should align with:

• The EU Blue Growth technique
• The Flemish Blue Cluster technique

Conditions

• At least one UGent supervisor should belong to a marine/maritime analysis group listed within the VLIZ Compendium
• Research should contain supervisors from two totally different colleges
• Doctoral pupil should conduct full-time analysis at Ostend Science Park
• Use of native infrastructure corresponding to:
  • Marine@UGent core amenities
  • Coastal ocean basin
  • Towing tank
  • Test infrastructure close to/at sea

Contact Prof. Jana Asselman for infrastructure inquiries.

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Who Can Apply

• No restrictions on nationality, age, or analysis area
• Applicants ought to ideally be within the high 20% of their graduating cohort
• A UGent ZAP member should act as the primary supervisor
• Co-supervisors might embody different UGent or exterior researchers

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Application Steps

1. By 14 May 2025 – Apply for label (UNU-CRIS, GUGC, or Blue Growth)
2. By 21 May 2025 – Submit full application to BOFapplication@ugent.be
3. By 21 May 2025 – UGent supervisor sends promotor recommendation to similar deal with
4. By 14 July 2025 – Non-UGent candidates should submit their Master’s diploma and ultimate outcomes (UGent college students are exempt as knowledge is supplied robotically)

Application paperwork:
Found on the backside of the official application webpage

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Key Dates

• UNU-CRIS label deadline: 14 May 2025
• Application deadline: 21 May 2025 (23:59 CET)
• Diploma deadline (non-UGent): 14 July 2025
• Results introduced: 29 August 2025
• Start date: 1 October 2025

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Duration and Renewal

• Total length: 4 years (1+3 construction)
• Initial contract: 1 12 months
• Extension: 3 years, topic to constructive analysis by the doctoral advisory committee or supervisor

FOR MORE INFORMATION AND SUBMISSIONS, CLICK HERE

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Contact

Team Flemish, Federal & BOF Projects
📧 bof@ugent.be
📧 CC: adunn@cris.unu.edu (Andrew Dunn)

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For extra Opportunities, please go to the Opportunities for Youth‘s web site.

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