About this opportunity
Belgium’s university council is funding a full year or three at a Flemish university for students from 25 countries, and sixteen of them are in sub-Saharan Africa. The ICP Connect call for the September 2027 intake covers 12 programmes, and the monthly allowance carries both your living costs and your tuition. None of these programmes charge an application fee.
The programmes lean hard toward development practice rather than abstract theory. They run from agriculture, food systems, aquaculture and marine science through epidemiology, water resources, sustainable land management, nutrition, governance, human settlements, transport and road safety, statistics and data science, cultural anthropology and development studies, to a bachelor in applied computer science or hotel management. That range matters if your background is applied rather than academic.
Two filters decide whether you should bother. You must hold the nationality of an eligible country and be living in one of them when you apply, and the age ceilings are firm: 35 as of 1 January 2027 for a bachelor or initial master, 19 at minimum for a bachelor, and 45 for an advanced master. Nigeria is not on this year’s list, so a Nigerian applicant should read the list before spending time on it, while applicants from Benin, Cameroon, Ethiopia, Kenya, DR Congo, Senegal, Tanzania, Uganda, Zimbabwe and the rest are squarely in scope.
Preference goes to people already working in higher education, government or civil society, though a strong motivation letter from a recent graduate can still carry. The institution ranks applications first, then VLIRUOS screens that list. The call closes on 28 February 2027, but individual programme windows vary, so check the specific programme before planning. There is an information session on 26 November 2026 from 14:30 to 16:30 CET.
What you receive
- A full scholarship for a programme of 12, 24 or 36 months
- A monthly scholarship allowance that covers living expenses and tuition fees
- No application fee for any ICP Connect scholarship programme
- Training in English at Flemish universities in Belgium, with no Dutch required
- Access to the VLIRUOS alumni network across the Global South
Who can apply
- You hold the nationality of one of the 25 eligible countries and you reside in one of those countries at the time of application, though not necessarily in your own country of nationality
- For a bachelor or initial master programme you are no older than 35 as of 1 January of the intake year, and bachelor applicants must be at least 19 by that date
- For an advanced master programme you are no older than 45 as of 1 January of the intake year
- You meet the English proficiency requirement set by the organising institution, since all ICP Connect programmes are taught in English
- You apply to one of the 12 programmes listed for this call
Who should not apply
- Scholarships are only offered for the programmes listed on the VLIRUOS website, not for programmes outside that list
- If you started a programme without a VLIRUOS scholarship after being admitted, you can no longer apply for that scholarship from the second year onward
- Nigeria is not on the current ICP Connect country list
Documents to prepare
- Proof of nationality of an eligible country and proof of residence in one of them
- Bachelor’s degree certificate, or a transcript or official certification if your final certificate is not yet issued
- English proficiency results, unless the institution waives them for a degree from an English-speaking institution
- Reference letters, which form part of the admission process at the organising institution
- Legalised documents through a Belgian embassy or consulate, if your country requires it
How to apply
- Open the ICP Connect 2027-2028 call page at https://www.vliruos.be/get-funded/calls/icp-connect-2027-2028 and review the 12 programmes on offer.
- Check the admission requirements and the exact application window on the page of the programme you want, because start and end dates vary by programme.
- Apply directly to the organising Flemish higher education institution for that programme, using the application route on the VLIRUOS study scholarships page at https://www.vliruos.be/get-funded/study-scholarships.
- Submit before the call submission deadline of 28 February 2027.
- Attend the information session on 26 November 2026 from 14:30 to 16:30 CET if you want guidance before applying.
Selection process
- The organising higher education institution reviews and ranks all eligible applications first
- VLIRUOS then runs a separate screening of the selection list it receives from the institution
- VLIRUOS emails selected candidates and those on the waiting list
- Applicants not selected for a scholarship or the waiting list are notified by the programme they applied to
Sources and verification
Related opportunities
- CGIAR++ PhD Scholarship 2026 for Doctoral Research in Germany
The CGIAR++ Science and Impact Hub is seeking 10 PhD candidates for its 2026 scholarship call. Doctoral research is hosted by a CGIAR++ Center and enrolled at a German university, with joint supervision arranged before you apply. Applications close on 30 November 2026.
Questions applicants ask
Is work experience required?
Preference goes to candidates employed in higher education, government or civil society, or aiming at a career there. Newly graduated candidates and private sector employees without experience can still be considered on a strong motivation and profile.
Does a short exchange in a rich country count against me?
No. Short exchange programmes do not count as earning a degree or receiving a full scholarship in a higher-income country, so you remain eligible, though candidates who have not had that chance are given preference.
Can I apply if I already hold a master’s degree?
Yes. An advanced master programme is usually the right option in that case, and the age limit for advanced master’s is 45 rather than 35.
Can I work while studying?
Students may work a few hours a week, but VLIRUOS advises against financing your studies mainly through a student job, and employment is not permitted during required class time.
Important disclaimer
Nextali researches and curates useful opportunities to make discovery easier. Before applying, verify every timeline, requirement, fee and application link on the official provider website. Do your own research into the organisation, its background and the authenticity of the offer. Nextali does not guarantee selection, funding or the conduct of third party providers.
