Future PhD candidates at Hasselt University (UHasselt) can explore several funding channels, ranging from individual doctoral fellowships to university-funded scholarships and European research programmes.
Main funding channels
1. FWO – Research Foundation Flanders
Supports individual PhD candidates through competitive fellowships in two main categories:
- Fundamental Research (FO): for curiosity-driven, scientific research.
- Strategic Basic Research (SB): for research with potential economic or societal applications.
Fellowships generally cover three to four years, subject to the programme’s conditions and continuation requirements. Candidates apply with a supervisor affiliated with an eligible institution in Flanders.
More information:
2. Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
A European Union funding programme supporting doctoral training, international mobility and research careers. The main route for PhD candidates is MSCA Doctoral Networks, which fund doctoral positions within international collaborations between universities, research organisations and, where relevant, industry.
Candidates typically apply for advertised positions within funded projects rather than submitting an individual fellowship proposal. Eligibility and mobility requirements apply.
More information:
3. BOF UHasselt – Special Research Fund
UHasselt’s internal research fund offers doctoral scholarships for promising PhD candidates at the beginning of their doctoral trajectory. The standard funding structure is two periods of two years, with continuation subject to evaluation.
Applicants must be admitted to a PhD at UHasselt. The programme also requires an eligible parallel application to FWO or another external funding scheme. BOF offers additional opportunities through joint doctoral programmes with partner universities, including Maastricht University, the University of Liège and the University of Namur.
More information:
4. VLAIO – Baekeland Fellowships
These fellowships support PhD research carried out in collaboration between a company and a knowledge institution. They may be relevant for candidates whose research has a strong industrial or commercial application.
