Global Minds Research Scholarship

Within this project, UAntwerp invites researchers from the “Global South” to participate in a short- or medium-term research stay at our institution.

This call is open to researchers affiliated with higher education institutions or research organizations based in eligible countries in Asia, Africa and Latin America (see list below) and opting for a research stay (ranging from 2 to 9 months) at UAntwerp.

The objectives of the Global Minds Research Scholarships are:

1. Stimulating collaborative research: stimulating researchers from the “Global South” to conduct research on SDG-related topics, while being integrated in a research group at UAntwerp, in order to ensure a mutual learning experience. By promoting dialogue and bridging gaps, the quality and relevance of academic research is enhanced.
2. Advancing collaboration on equal terms: encouraging researchers to explore and strengthen collaboration between institutions located in the “Global South” and UAntwerp, located in Belgium. The lead in these partnerships lies with the visiting researchers.
3. Supporting the professional development of research scholars.

Selected candidates will receive a scholarship to cover living expenses during their stay at UAntwerp. The scholarship is not a salary and candidates will not be employed by UAntwerp. Visiting researchers continue to be affiliated with their home institution (i.e. officially recognized higher education institution or research organization in one of the countries listed below).

To maximize the impact of this opportunity, candidates must be physically present at UAntwerp throughout their mobility period and actively participate in academic activities.

The Global Minds Research Scholarships are designed for researchers from the “Global South”, affiliated with officially recognized higher education institutions or research organizations in eligible partner countries across Asia, Africa, and Latin America (see eligible country list below).

The Global Minds Research Scholarships support researchers in spending a research term of 2 to 9 months at UAntwerp as part of their ongoing academic research trajectory. While retaining their employment and salary at their home institution, recipients will collaborate with a research group at UAntwerp during their stay. Candidates are encouraged to take ownership by defining and pursuing their own research agenda.

Candidates are invited to choose the duration of their research term at UAntwerp (between 2 and 9 months) based on what best fits their research needs. Please note that the proposed duration will also be evaluated in terms of the match with research needs and efficiency. Kindly note that candidates who will not register as a PhD student at UAntwerp can only stay a maximum of 6 months.

Important: Research stays of more than 90 days

Scholars intending to stay at UAntwerp for more than 90 days must meet one of the following conditions:

1. be enrolled as a PhD student at their home institution during the academic year of their stay in Belgium
2. enroll as a PhD student at UAntwerp

This requirement exists because scholars staying longer than 90 days must apply for a student visa. If the scholar cannot apply for a student visa, their stay will be limited to a maximum of 90 days.

Joint PhD Candidates: To qualify for a Joint PhD, a PhD candidate must conduct at least six months of research at UAntwerp. As this exceeds 90 days, candidates must enroll at UAntwerp and apply for a student visa. More information about the terms, processes and conditions: Antwerp Doctoral School.

Postdoctoral researchers and university staff without student registration: Postdoctoral researchers or university staff who are not registered as PhD students cannot stay in Belgium for more than 90 days under this scheme.

• The candidate is a national and resident of one of the following countries:

• ​The candidate must be affiliated with an officially recognized higher education institution or research organization in one of the eligible listed countries (see above) and must maintain this affiliation throughout the research stay. A valid proof of affiliation, such as a doctoral contract or an official employment agreement, is required. This document must confirm the ongoing affiliation during the proposed research stay and must be issued within the last three months at the time of application.
• If the candidate is applying for a stay of more than 90 days, they must be able to apply for a student visa and, therefore, must be able to provide proof of student registration, either at their home institution or at UAntwerp. This registration must be valid for the academic year in which the research stay will take place. If proof of student registration cannot be provided at the time of application, a letter of intent (signed by the academic host) needs to be uploaded and candidates may be selected on a conditional basis. However, the proof must be submitted before the start of the mobility, otherwise, the scholarship may be revoked.
• The proposed research activities and outputs need to fit within the principles and ideas of Global Engagement (cfr. Global Engagement framework of UAntwerp) but there are no restrictions in terms of research themes.
• During their stay at UAntwerp, candidates will enjoy the support of an academic host. It is required to submit the 'agreement of host – academic host' document, duly signed by the academic host, at the time of application. The academic host must be a member of senior academic staff (ZAP) at UAntwerp.
• The Global Minds Research Scholarship can only be awarded once to a candidate/scholar.
• Alongside the application form, candidates must provide a concise curriculum vitae
• The research stay must be started between 1 January 2026 and 31 August 2026
• A final report on the outcomes of the research stay will have to be submitted at the end of the mobility.

A scholarship will be awarded for the total duration of the period of one stay (min. 2 months - max. 9 months) and includes the following:

• Allowance of 1.500 euro / 1.900 euro (depending on profile) per month, calculated on a monthly basis
  
• One return ticket in economy class
• Research fee of max. 1.400 euro (invoice based) for scholarships with a minimum of 6 months
• Indirect travel costs for visa processes that require an overnight stay or travel to another country (as described in the VLIRUOS Framework for Scholarships)

Interested candidates have to submit their proposal by 15 May 2025.
Applications are submitted via Mobility Online.

Applications must contain:

• Application form
• Agreement of academic host
• CV
• Proof of affiliation signed by a relevant authority, with an officially recognized higher education institution or research organization in one of the eligible partner countries (this document must confirm the candidate’s ongoing affiliation during the proposed research stay and must be issued within three months prior to the application submission)
• For stays of more than 90 days: Proof of student status valid at the time of the research stay at UAntwerp is required. If this cannot be provided at the time of application, a letter of intent, signed by the academic host, must be submitted, confirming that the scholar will have student registration status by the start of the mobility.
  

All project proposals that pass the eligibility check will be reviewed on content by a selection commission composed of members of the UAntwerp Working Group on Global Engagement.

Table: Criteria Global Minds Research Scholarships

• Launch of applications: 1 April 2025
• Deadline of submissions: 15 May 2025
• Publication of selection results: July 2025
• Start research stay: as soon as 1 January 2026 or before 31 August 2026 at the latest