VLIR-UOS Masters Scholarships (ICP Connect) in Belgium

If you’re a student from one of the 29 eligible countries in Africa, Asia, and Latin America, here’s some exciting news for you! The VLIR-UOS program offers ICP Connect Master’s scholarships, providing a chance to pursue an English-taught Master’s program at a renowned Flemish university or university college in Belgium.

This blog post will provide you with a brief overview of the scholarship’s key details, eligibility requirements, and application process.

What is VLIR-UOS and the ICP Connect Master’s Scholarships? VLIR-UOS is an organization that aims to promote international cooperation between Flanders (Belgium) and developing countries. As part of their initiatives, they offer ICP Connect Master’s scholarships to students from eligible countries, encouraging them to pursue advanced studies in Belgium.

Available Fields of Study: The scholarships are available for 15 ICP Master’s programs offered by participating Belgian Flemish universities. These programs cover a diverse range of academic disciplines, ensuring there’s something for everyone.

Number of Awards and Scholarship Benefits: For each Master’s program, VLIR-UOS awards 10 scholarships. The scholarships are full and cover the entire duration of the Master’s program, which can be either 12 or 24 months, depending on the chosen program. The financial support includes coverage for tuition fees, travel expenses, health insurance, and living expenses (board and lodging).

Eligibility Requirements: To be eligible for the ICP Connect Master’s scholarship, applicants must meet the following criteria:

1. Nationality and Residence: Candidates must be nationals of one of the 29 eligible countries and currently reside in one of these countries at the time of application.
2. Age Limit: For initial Master’s programs, the candidate’s age must not exceed 35 years on January 1 of the year of intake. For advanced Master’s programs, the age limit is 45 years.
3. Professional Background: Preference is given to candidates working in higher education, government, or civil society, or those aiming for a career in these sectors. However, candidates from the private sector or recent graduates without work experience may also be considered if they demonstrate strong motivation and potential.
4. Scholarship Applications: Each candidate can apply for only one ICP Connect scholarship per year.
5. Previous Scholarships: Applicants must not have received a scholarship from the Belgian government for studying in Belgium previously, nor should they have enrolled in any Belgian higher education institution before January 1 of the year of intake.

Application Process and Deadlines: The call for applications for the academic year 2023-2024 has already closed. The next call is expected to open in November 2023. Interested candidates must apply through the university’s website, indicating their desire to apply for the scholarship as well. The application deadline varies depending on the chosen Master’s program but typically falls around 1st or 28th February 2023.

Conclusion:

VLIR-UOS ICP Connect Master’s scholarships present a fantastic opportunity for students from eligible countries to pursue their academic dreams in Belgium.

With comprehensive financial support and a diverse range of programs to choose from, this initiative aims to empower future leaders and professionals from developing regions. If you’re interested, keep an eye out for the next call for applications in November 2023 and visit the official scholarship website for detailed information.