VLIR-UOS awards scholarships to students from Africa, Asia and Latin-America to follow a training or master programme at a Dutch speaking university or university college in Belgium.
The eligible training or master programmes are taught in English. They are designed for people in positions of responsibility in civil society.
The scholarships cover all related expenses.
You can apply for a scholarship if you meet the following requisites:
• You are a resident AND national of one of the countries on the country list (not necessarily the same country for residence and nationality). Please note that candidates must reside in one of these countries at the moment of application.
• You are not older than 40 years* if you apply for a scholarship to follow a master programme. Or you are not older than 45 years* if you apply for a scholarship to follow a training programme. (* on 1 January 2012)
• You have the required English proficiency. You need a proof of at least 1 year of comprehensive English-based instruction at a university or recognized equivalent. If not, a TOEFL test is required with a minimum total score of 550 on the paper based test (PBT), or 79 on an internet based test (IBT); or an IELTS test with a minimum overall band score of 6,5; or a proof of another test of similar level as TOEFLE or IELTS.
• Professional experience and employment perspectives are not required for a master programme, but they can be a competitive advantage for selection, depending on the programme. Present employment or reintegration perspectives are required for a training programme. The candidate must be currently employed or have a written (future) employer's guarantee of (re)integration in an employment where the acquired knowledge and skills will be immediately applicable.
• Earlier applications and scholarships: You do not apply for more than one VLIR-UOS scholarship a year. You have never received a master scholarship funded by the Belgian government before. You are only admissible for a training programme scholarship if you have not received a VLIR-UOS scholarship for a training programme before.
• Only for employees of a university that currently receives support from VLIR-UOS through the IUC programme: you need a letter from the IUC coordinator stating that your department is not involved in IUC. Contact the programme manager in the IUC office at your university for further information.
You can apply from October 2011 (master programmes) or November 2011 (master programmes organised at Katholieke Universiteit Leuven and all training programmes) for a scholarship by following the procedure below:
• Go to the information page of the training or master programme of your interest.
• Look for the inscription link on the programme website and apply via the application form of the Flemish host university or university college. From this year on you do not need a VLIR-UOS file number anymore (i.e. no pre-screening form from VLIR-UOS required).
• Receive a return e-mail from the Flemish host university or university college.
• Send a printout of your application file along with all required documents (diploma transcripts, motivation, etc...) to the International Office of the host university or university college (not to VLIR-UOS!). You will find the information on the website of the programme.
Then you have correctly applied and can your application be considered. Scholarship application deadlines are: Master programme: 1 February 2012
Relevant Links:
• VLIR-UOS - Scholarships in Flanders > Overview of Eligible Programmes (http://www.scholarships.vliruos.be/index.php?language=EN&navid=479&direct_to=Overview%20Eligible%20Programmes)
• VLIR-UOS - Scholarships in Flanders > Scholarship Coverage (http://www.scholarships.vliruos.be/index.php?language=EN&navid=579&direct_to=Scholarship%20Coverage)
• VLIR-UOS - Scholarships in Flanders > How to Apply (http://www.scholarships.vliruos.be/index.php?language=EN&navid=493&direct_to=How%20to%20apply)
•
VLIR-UOS - Scholarships in Flanders > Home (http://www.scholarships.vliruos.be/)
The scholarship programmes of VLIR-UOS are:
For Flemish applicants:
• Travel grants for students (REI) (for students from a Flemish university or university college)
• Ph.D. scholarships (VLADOC) (for Ph.D. students from a Flemish university)
For applicants from a developing country (see country list in the applicable programme)
• ITP scholarships (short training programme in Flanders)
• ICP scholarships (master programmes at Flemish universities)
• ICP PhD scholarships (for ICP graduates)
VLIR-UOS >
Home (http://www.vliruos.be/index.php?language=EN&navid=425&direct_to=Scholarships)
Additional Info: The VLIR-UOS awards grants for short training programmes (International Training Programme) or for International Courses, which follow the normal academic curriculum.
Areas covered: Priority is given to applicants working in the following sectors: universities, public authorities, research institutes, social economics, small and medium-sized businesses and non-governmental organisations.
Application conditions:
- Applicants must be nationals of a developing country (DAC List of ODA Recipients (http://www.oecd.org/dac/stats/daclist)).
- Applicants cannot have already studied in an industrialised country.
- Applicants must be no more than 35 years old for the International Course, and no more than 40 years old for the International Training Programme.
- Priority is given to students with at least two years' professional experience and who do not have the financial means to follow the course.
- Applicants must speak the language in which the courses are given fluently.
Applicants do not have to be living in Belgium when they apply. Applicants working for multinational companies are not eligible.
Duration:
• For the International Training Programmes, no more than 6 months.
• For the International Courses, no more than 14 months for a one-year course, and no more than 26 months for a two-year programme.
Financial provisions:
The airline ticket is paid for by VLIR-UOS or by the host university. Grant-holders also receive a monthly amount to cover accommodation, transport and personal expenses.
Application deadline: 1st March.
Contacts:
VLIR-UOS
Bolwerksquare, 1A
B-1050 Brussels - Belgium
Tel.: +32 2 289 05 50
Fax: +32 2 514 72 77
E-mail: scholarships@vliruos.be