# Special PhD Fellowship

**Source**: https://www.ugent.be/en/research/funding/national/fwo/specialphdfellowship.htm
**Parent**: https://www.ugent.be/en/research/funding

The FWO supports fundamental scientific research, stimulates international cooperation and promotes equal opportunity.\
\
The special PhD fellowship enables persons not employed within scientific research to complete a PhD within one year. Applicants must be in possession of a "temporary leave" certificate issued by their current employer.

## Who can apply

- You are of Belgian nationality or belong to one of the member states of the EU, the EEA or Switzerland.
- You hold a Master's degree.
- You are permanently employed.
- You are not professionally involved in scientific research.
- Your employer is willing to give you temporary leave or unpaid leave for 1 year. You are entitled to return to your job after the leave ends.
- You relinquish any secondary activity and associated remuneration.
- You have not previously received an FWO fellowship (not even in part).
- Clinicians cannot apply for a special PhD fellowship. They can apply for a clinical PhD fellowship.

## Duration

Period: 1 year, not renewable.

## How does it work?

- You contact a supervisor affiliated to a Flemish university.
- The supervisor undertakes to properly coach and guide you as doctorandus.
- The supervisor is invited by the FWO to write a letter of recommendation.
- You complete your application online, **deadline: 1st of March.**
- Your application is submitted to the FWO Expert Panels.
- The Expertpanels report to the Board of Trustees.
- The Board of Trustees decides on your appointment.
- Start of fellowship: 1 September or 1 October.

## Funding

Net scholarship amount: identical to the last net salary of the main activity.

## More information

- [www.fwo.be](https://www.fwo.be/nl/)
- Official & binding documents: regulations in Dutch on the FWO website

## Contact

**Team Flemish, Federal & BOF Projects**

- [vlaams-federaal@ugent.be](mailto:vlaams-federaal@ugent.be)
- Applications: Thijs De Jaeger, [MS Teams](https://teams.microsoft.com/l/chat/0/0?users=thijs.dejaeger@ugent.be)
- After approval: Liesbeth Erauw, [MS Teams](https://teams.microsoft.com/l/chat/0/0?users=Liesbeth.Erauw@ugent.be)