VLIR-UOS ICP Connect Scholarships 2026–2027 in Belgium | Fully Funded
- Omran Aburayya
- 31 minutes ago
- 4 min read
Applications are now open for the VLIR-UOS ICP Connect Scholarships 2026–2027, a fully funded study opportunity in Belgium for students from selected countries in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. Funded by VLIR-UOS, these scholarships support high-quality, accredited English-taught Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Advanced Master’s programmes at Flemish universities and universities of applied sciences and arts, starting in September 2026.
The ICP Connect programme is designed to train future leaders and agents of change who will contribute to sustainable development and societal transformation in their home countries after graduation. Here's everything you need to know.
👩🏻🎓 Scholarship Summary
Host Country: Belgium
Host Institutions: Flemish universities and universities of applied sciences and arts
Scholarship Provider: VLIR-UOS
Study Levels: Professional Bachelor’s, Initial Master’s, Advanced Master’s
Target Group: Students from 29 eligible countries in Africa, Asia, and Latin America
Fields of Study: Sustainable development, governance, science, technology, environment, public health, data science, transportation, and related fields
Scholarship Type: Fully Funded
Duration:
Bachelor’s: 36 months
Initial Master’s: 24 months
Advanced Master’s: 12 months
Application Deadline: 28 February 2026 (programme-specific deadlines may vary)
Programme Start Date: September 2026
Study Language: English
📚 Scholarship Overview (ICP Connect Programme)
ICP Connect (International Course Programme – Connect) supports accredited international study programmes that are aligned with global and local development challenges. Scholars are expected to gain advanced academic knowledge, professional skills, and leadership capacity, enabling them to apply what they learn in sectors such as higher education, government, civil society, and development-oriented private institutions.
The programme strongly promotes:
Sustainable development
Knowledge transfer and capacity building
Gender balance and inclusion
Regional diversity
The “Leave No One Behind” principle
💲Scholarship Benefits and Coverage
The VLIR-UOS ICP Connect Scholarship is a full scholarship covering the entire duration of the programme and includes:
Full tuition fees
International travel costs
Insurance
Monthly allowance covering living expenses (board and lodging)
Programme-related academic costs
Partial scholarships or extensions beyond the standard programme duration are not available.
✅ Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must meet all of the following conditions:
Nationality and Residence
Must hold nationality of one of the 29 eligible countries
Must be residing in an eligible country at the time of application
Age Requirements
Bachelor’s / Initial Master’s: Maximum 35 years old by 1 January 2026
Advanced Master’s: Maximum 45 years old by 1 January 2026
Bachelor’s applicants: Minimum 19 years old
Academic & Professional Background
Preference is given to candidates:
Employed in higher education, government, or civil society
Or targeting a career in these sectors
Newly graduated applicants or private-sector candidates may still apply with strong motivation
✖️ Scholarship Restrictions
Only one ICP Connect scholarship application per year
Applicants cannot hold another scholarship simultaneously
Candidates must not have previously received a Belgian government scholarship
Applicants must not have enrolled in a Belgian higher education institution before 1 January 2026
ℹ️ NOTE: Additional programme-specific requirements may apply depending on the institution.
👩🏻🎓 Selection Criteria
Scholarship selection is based on an objective and competitive evaluation, considering:
Motivation and career goals aligned with sustainable development
Academic performance and potential
Professional experience and capacity to transfer knowledge
Gender balance (female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply)
Regional diversity
Leave No One Behind (LNOB) considerations
Preference for candidates who have not studied in a high-income country before
📝 Application Procedure
Applicants must follow these steps:
Check eligibility for both the scholarship and the selected programme
Choose an eligible ICP Connect programme from the official list
Apply directly through the host institution’s website
Indicate clearly during application that you are applying for the ICP Connect scholarship
Submit only one ICP Connect application per academic year
After Submission
Each programme has its own deadline
Selection is first conducted by the host institution
Final approval is made by VLIR-UOS
Selected and wait-listed candidates are informed by email no later than mid-May 2026
📚 Available Study Programmes and Levels
1). Professional Bachelor’s Programmes (3 years)
Bachelor of Hotel Management
Bachelor of Applied Computer Science
2). Initial Master’s Programmes (2 years)
International Master of Science in Agro- & Environmental Nematology
International Master of Science in Rural Development (IMRD)
Master of Aquaculture (IMAQUA)
Master of Epidemiology
Master of Science in Food Technology
Master of Science in Marine and Lacustrine Science and Management
Master of Statistics and Data Science
Master in Sustainable Development
Master of Transportation Sciences – Road Safety
Master of Water Resources Engineering (WRE)
Master of Science in Nutrition and Food Systems
Master of Science in Sustainable Land Management
Master of Science in Tropical Biodiversity and Ecosystems
3). Advanced Master’s Programmes (1 year)
Master of Human Settlements
Master of Development Evaluation and Management
Master of Governance and Development
Master of Globalisation and Development
Master of Cultural Anthropology and Development Studies (CADES)
ℹ️ Important Notes for Applicants
All programmes are taught in English
Dutch language skills are not required
Application fees are not charged for ICP Connect programmes
Working part-time is permitted under Belgian student regulations but should not affect academic progress
English language requirements vary by institution
🚀 Conclusion
The VLIR-UOS ICP Connect Scholarships 2026–2027 offer a prestigious and fully funded pathway for talented students from eligible countries to pursue high-impact studies in Belgium. With a strong focus on sustainable development, leadership, and societal transformation, this programme is ideal for applicants aiming to make a long-term difference in their communities and regions.
Early preparation is strongly advised, as deadlines and requirements differ by programme.
