Fully Funded VLIR-UOS ICP Connect Scholarship 2027–2028 in Belgium

VLIR-UOS ICP Connect Scholarship to students from 25 eligible countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America, to follow an English-taught Bachelor’s or Master’s programme at a Flemish university or university college in Belgium.

VLIR-UOS ICP Connect Scholarship Summary

• Call: open for students starting in September 2027.
• Deadline: the call closes on 28 February 2027. Each programme sets its own application dates, so check your programme page.
• Funding: full scholarship (tuition, travel, insurance and living expenses) for the whole programme.
• Who can apply: nationals of 25 eligible countries who live in one of them.
• Information session: 26 November 2026, 14:30 to 16:30 CET.

Host Institution(s)

Participating Belgian Flemish university or university college

Fields of study/Programmes

ICP Connect scholarship programmes at participating Belgian universities for 2027–2028:Advanced Masters (1-year)

• Master of Development Evaluation and Management
• Master of Governance and Development
• Master of Globalisation and Development

Initial Masters (2-year)

• Master of Science in Aquaculture (IMAQUA)
• Master of Science in Food Technology
• Master of Science in Marine and Lacustrine Science and Management
• Master of 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

Professional Bachelors (3-year)

• Bachelor of Hotel Management
• Bachelor of Applied Computer Science

No longer available for scholarship in 2027–2028: International Master of Science in Agro- and Environmental Nematology, International Master of Science in Rural Development (IMRD), Master of Human Settlements, Master of Cultural Anthropology and Development Studies (CADES), Master of Epidemiology, Master of Statistics and Data Science, Master in Sustainable Development and Master of Water Resources Engineering. These programmes still run, but they do not offer ICP Connect scholarships for this intake.

Number of Awards

VLIR-UOS has historically awarded around 10 new scholarships for each programme every year. Check your programme page for the number available in 2027–2028.

Target Group

Candidates must hold the nationality of one of the following 25 eligible countries:Sub-Saharan Africa: Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, DR Congo, Ethiopia, Guinea, Kenya, Madagascar, Mozambique, Niger, Senegal, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, ZimbabweMiddle East and North Africa: Morocco, PalestineLatin America and the Caribbean: Bolivia, Cuba, Ecuador, PeruSouth East Asia: Indonesia, Philippines, VietnamCheck the official ICP Connect country list before you apply, because VLIR-UOS updates it between calls. Important Notice Nigeria are excluded in the fuuly Funded VLIR-UOS ICP Connect Scholarship.

ICP Connect Scholarship Duration and Benefits

VLIR-UOS only provides full scholarships for the total duration of the study programme (12, 24 or 36 months). The scholarships cover tuition fees, travel, insurance and living expenses (board and lodging). It is not possible to apply for a partial scholarship or an extension.

ICP Connect Scholarship Eligibility Requirements

• Nationality and country of residence: Candidates must hold the nationality of one of the 25 eligible countries and must be a resident of one of these countries (not necessarily the same country) at the time of application.
• Age: Candidates’ age on January 1 of the year of intake must be no higher than 35 for a bachelor or initial master and 45 for an advanced master. Bachelor candidates must be at least 19 on that date.
• Professional background and experience: Preference will be given to candidates employed in higher education, government or civil society, or those targeting a career in one of these sectors. Candidates employed in the private sector or newly graduated candidates with no work experience may also be considered if they provide a strong motivation and profile.
• Scholarship applications: Candidates may apply for only one ICP Connect scholarship per year. Applying for more than one ICP Connect scholarship, or receiving another scholarship for the same study, leads to exclusion.
• Previously awarded scholarships: Candidates may not have previously received a scholarship from the Belgian government to attend a study programme and may not have enrolled in a study programme at a Belgian higher education institution before January 1 of the year of intake.

Individual institutions may add their own criteria, such as English language requirements, so read the “more detailed information and application” section on your programme page.

How Scholars Are Selected

VLIR-UOS sees scholars as potential agents of change in their home country or region. Selection is based on:

• Motivation: your professional goals and your potential to share knowledge and skills on sustainable development.
• Professional experience: a greater chance of applying what you learn in sustainable development work.
• Gender balance: VLIR-UOS strongly encourages female candidates to apply.
• Regional balance: a reasonable spread of scholars across countries and regions.
• Leave No One Behind: preference for candidates from vulnerable groups when candidates are equally qualified.
• Previous study abroad: preference for candidates who have not studied in a higher-income country before.

ICP Connect Scholarship Application Instructions

Via the university’s website, you will have to apply for both admission to the programme and the scholarship itself. When you apply for the programme, be sure to mention that you wish to apply for a scholarship. Do not apply for more than one ICP programme per year, otherwise your application will not be considered.There is no application fee. The organising institution reviews and ranks all eligible applications first, and VLIR-UOS then screens the selection list it receives.The deadline varies and is determined by the programme. The call deadline is 28 February 2027, but your programme may close earlier, so check its page. VLIR-UOS contacts selected candidates and waiting-list candidates by email, no later than mid-May.VLIR-UOS will hold an online information session on 26 November 2026, from 14:30 to 16:30 CET. Register here.

Can Nigerians Apply for the VLIR-UOS ICP Connect Scholarship?

No. Nigeria is not on the list of 25 eligible countries, and you need both the nationality and the residence of an eligible country. Applying from Nigeria would not be accepted, so do not spend money on application documents for this scholarship.If you are Nigerian and want to study in Europe, see our other scholarship guides for programmes open to Nigerians.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the VLIR-UOS ICP Connect scholarship fully funded?

Yes. It covers tuition fees, travel, insurance and living expenses (board and lodging) for the whole programme, which lasts 12, 24 or 36 months.

Is Nigeria eligible for the VLIR-UOS ICP Connect scholarship?

No. Nigeria is not on the list of 25 eligible countries.

What is the VLIR-UOS ICP Connect deadline for 2027–2028?

The call closes on 28 February 2027. Each programme sets its own application dates, so check your programme page.

Which countries are eligible for ICP Connect?

Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, DR Congo, Ethiopia, Guinea, Kenya, Madagascar, Mozambique, Niger, Senegal, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zimbabwe, Morocco, Palestine, Bolivia, Cuba, Ecuador, Peru, Indonesia, the Philippines and Vietnam. Check the official country list for updates.

What is the age limit for the ICP Connect scholarship?

On 1 January of the intake year, you cannot be older than 35 for a bachelor or initial master programme, or 45 for an advanced master. Bachelor applicants must be at least 19.

Is there an application fee?

No. ICP Connect scholarship programmes do not charge an application fee.

Do I need to speak Dutch?

No. All ICP Connect programmes are taught in English. You do need to meet the English language requirements set by your programme.

Can I apply to more than one ICP Connect programme?

No. You may apply for only one ICP Connect scholarship per year. Applying for more than one leads to exclusion.

Is work experience required?

It is not required, but preference is given to candidates working in higher education, government or civil society. Recent graduates and private-sector candidates can be considered with a strong motivation and profile.

Can I work while studying on the scholarship?

Generally you can work a few hours a week, but not during class or other study activities. VLIR-UOS advises against relying on a student job to fund your studies.

When will I know if I got the scholarship?

VLIR-UOS emails selected and waiting-list candidates no later than mid-May. Candidates who are not selected are notified by the programme they applied to.

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