VLIR-UOS ICP Connect Scholarships

ICP programmes equip students to become leaders and change agents in their fields, contributing to societal transformation across various sectors. ICP Connect scholarships fund study at Flemish institutions for students from 25 eligible countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America. Mali was recently added to the list.

The 2027-2028 call offers full scholarships for 12 programmes starting in September 2027, lasting 12, 24 or 36 months. The monthly allowance covers living expenses and tuition fees. Depending on the institution, you pay insurance, tuition and accommodation out of the allowance, or the institution covers them directly and subtracts them from it. There is no application fee. VLIR-UOS provides no extra funds for activities like Global South immersions, but a programme may have its own, so ask it directly.

Eligibility depends on your nationality and current residence, not on where you studied before, so a foreign degree does not rule you out. On 1 January of the intake year, candidates for an initial master's cannot be older than 35 and candidates for an advanced master's cannot be older than 45. A bachelor's candidate must be at least 19 and no older than 35.

An advanced master's is mainly for people who already hold a master's, and some accept a four-year bachelor's. You can apply if you already hold a master's, and an advanced master's may suit you best. Some programmes prefer a related background, but relevant work experience may still qualify you if your bachelor's is unrelated.

• Every ICP Connect programme is taught in English, so you need a high level of English set by the organising institution. Ask the programme about its test rules, such as whether an online IELTS is accepted.
• A degree from an English-speaking institution may waive the test in some programmes. Check with the institution.
• You do not need to speak Dutch. Daily life in Belgium is manageable in English.
• If you have no final certificate yet, many programmes accept temporary certification or official transcripts.
• Reference letters are part of the institution's admission process, so you do not need separate letters for the scholarship.
• Applicants from certain countries may need to legalise documents through Belgian embassies or consulates.
• French-language programmes are offered by ARES, another Belgian scholarship provider.

Preference goes to candidates employed in higher education, government or civil society, or aiming for a career in these sectors. Recent graduates, and private-sector applicants without work experience, can be considered if they show strong motivation and a compelling profile. Preference also goes to candidates who have not yet studied in a higher-income country, and a short exchange does not count as having done so.

Scholarships are only for the programmes:

• Bachelor of Hotel Management
• Bachelor of Applied Computer Science
• Master of Science in Aquaculture (IMAQUA)
• Master of Science in Food Technology
• Master of Science in Marine and Lacustrine Science and Management ('Oceans & Lakes')
• Master of Science in Transportation Sciences - Road Safety
• Master of Science in Nutrition and Food Systems
• Master of Science in Sustainable Land Management
• Master of Science in Tropical Biodiversity and Ecosystems (Mundus tropicalis c/o TROPIMUNDO)
• Master of Science in Development Evaluation and Management
• Master in Globalisation and Development
• Master in Governance and Development

The institution reviews and ranks all eligible applications first, then VLIR-UOS separately screens the selection list it receives. VLIR-UOS emails selected candidates and those on the waiting list, and the programme notifies everyone else.

If you were admitted last year without a scholarship, you can apply again, provided you did not start the programme without one. If you did start without a scholarship, you can no longer apply from the second year onward.

You can generally work a few hours a week to supplement your budget, but not during classes or other study activities. Funding your studies mainly through a student job is not advisable because it can hurt your academic progress.

The call deadline is 28 February 2027 for a 1 September 2027 start, but the application dates can vary by programme. The call page does not state the allowance amount or travel costs. Confirm programme-specific rules with the institution.

Documents

• Degree certificate, or temporary certification or official transcripts if you do not have the final certificate yetRequired
• Programme application documents set by the institution, including reference letters (no separate letters for the scholarship)Required
• English proficiency test result, unless the programme waives itRequired
• Documents legalised through a Belgian embassy or consulate, for applicants from certain countriesOptional