Doctoral fellowships

The term "doctoral scholarship" refers to the financial assistance or allowance granted or paid by the UGent to a person, outside of an employment contract, to conduct scientific research with a view to obtaining a doctorate.

• The doctoral fellowship is awarded for a total allotted period of up to 48 months and after (provisional) enrollment on the doctoral roll.
• A fellowship that meets the conditions and criteria of the regulations for doctoral fellows is considered free of personal income tax but is subject to social security. UGent is considered an "employer" for social security obligations.
• As for the size of the contributions, a distinction is made between:
  • doctoral fellows covered by Regulation (EC) No. 883/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 29 April 2004 (formerly 1408/71 of the Council of 14 June 1971) on the coordination of 4/9 social security systems, or any other bi- or multilateral treaty on social security concluded by the Kingdom of Belgium: they shall be fully subject to social security;
  • doctoral fellows not covered by the above-mentioned Regulation (EC) No 883/2004 or bilateral social security treaties: they will be subject to full social security with the exception of the pension and unemployment sectors

How will my scholarship be determined?

• The net scholarship amount is fixed annually on January 1 where the doctoral scholarship is equal to the net amount 100% awarded to an assistant (AAP3) with the same level of education and seniority and based on the same family situation as the doctoral scholar.

The fellowship amount will not be revised in the current year except in case of indexation. If the family situation changes during employment, a scholarship amount adjustment will be made on January 1 following the family situation change.