How to Apply for the VLIR-UOS Scholarship 2027–28

Before You Apply: Three Decisions

Getting these right before you open any portal saves a lot of time.

1. 1
   Choose one programme

   Review the programmes on the Programmes page and pick the one that connects most directly to your professional background and a development challenge at home. You cannot apply for more than one ICP Connect scholarship a year; applying for two leads to exclusion of both.

2. 2
   Check your eligibility

   Confirm you are a national of an eligible country, living in one, within the age limit, have never enrolled at a Belgian institution or held a Belgian government scholarship, and are not on another scholarship. The full rules are on the Eligibility Rules page.

3. 3
   Check that programme's deadline

   2027–28 deadlines are set per programme and will be published when the call opens (expected mid-November 2026). In the last cycle TROPIMUNDO closed on 30 November 2025, Nematology on 18 January 2026, Hotel Management on 31 January, most programmes on 1 February and four on 28 February 2026. Treat those as history until VLIR-UOS publishes the new dates.

Where to Apply

1. Go to the VLIR-UOS page for your chosen programme, or the host institution's own programme page.
2. Follow the link to that institution's application portal.
3. Apply for the programme and the scholarship together.
4. In the application, make clear that you are also applying for the ICP Connect scholarship.

There is no application fee for ICP Connect scholarship programmes. Anyone charging you for a VLIR-UOS application is running a scam.

The Application Timeline

From the call opening to arriving in Belgium takes about ten months. Dates for 2027–28 are expected; past-cycle dates are shown for reference.

1. 1
   October – mid-November 2026

   The new cycle opens

   VLIR-UOS expects to open the 2027–28 call in mid-November 2026 and publish the programme list and deadlines then. Last cycle, programme application windows opened between 1 October and 3 November 2025. Watch both vliruos.be and your programme's page.

2. 2
   October 2026 – January 2027

   Prepare your application

   Gather documents, write your motivation letter, ask for recommendation letters and update your CV. This takes longer than most people expect. Starting in October gives you the full window; starting in February does not.

3. !
   Historically 30 November

   TROPIMUNDO deadline

   Only if you apply to TROPIMUNDO (Tropical Biodiversity and Ecosystems), which closed on 30 November 2025 last cycle. For every other programme this date is irrelevant.

4. 4
   2027–28 dates TBC

   Deadlines for all other programmes

   Last cycle: 18 January to 28 February 2026, mostly 1 February. Check the exact date for your programme on vliruos.be and the programme's own page once published.

5. 5
   February – April 2027

   University review

   The programme reviews applications for academic admission and ranks eligible candidates for the scholarship, then sends its list to VLIR-UOS.

6. 6
   By mid-May 2027

   VLIR-UOS screening and results

   VLIR-UOS screens the list and emails selected candidates and those on the waiting list as soon as possible after selection, and no later than mid-May. Candidates who are not selected hear from their programme. Waiting-list candidates sometimes receive awards when selected scholars decline.

7. 7
   May – August 2027

   Visa application

   With your award and admission letters, apply for a Belgian student visa. Ask your host institution which scholarship documents it will give you as proof of funding. Apply as early as possible — processing often takes several weeks (our estimate: 4–8).

8. September 2027

   The academic year begins

   Scholars arrive in Belgium and the programme starts.

Required Documents

This is the baseline. Check each programme's own requirements — some add more, and institutions may impose extra criteria.

1. 1
   Programme application form

   Through the host institution's online portal.

2. 2
   Motivation letter

   Why you chose this programme, your professional and development context, and your plan after graduating. See the Motivation Letter page.

3. 3
   CV

   Current, professional format, in English.

4. 4
   Official academic transcripts

   Certified copies from all previous institutions. Applicants from some countries may need documents legalised through a Belgian embassy or consulate — ask the programme.

5. 5
   Degree certificate(s)

   Certified copies of your highest qualification. If you have not graduated yet, many programmes accept provisional certificates or transcripts until the final diploma arrives.

6. 6
   English language proof

   IELTS/TOEFL or equivalent, or proof that your previous degree was taught in English (some programmes accept this as a waiver). Minimum scores, and whether online tests are accepted, vary by programme.

7. 7
   Passport copy

   Check the validity the programme and the Belgian visa rules require; a passport that runs well past the end of your studies avoids renewing it in Belgium.

8. 8
   Two recommendation letters

   From professors or supervisors who can judge your academic or professional ability. They are part of the programme admission — you do not need separate letters for the scholarship. Some institutions use their own format, so check before asking your referees.

9. 9
   Employer support letter

   Not a standard VLIR-UOS requirement, but useful, especially in government, NGO or academic roles; some programmes or ITP courses may ask for one. It should confirm your current position and, ideally, your employer's support for your return.

10. 10
    Portfolio

    Design-based programmes such as the Master of Human Settlements may ask for one to show your architecture or planning background. Check the programme's admission page.

Two stages. Your application must pass the first before it reaches VLIR-UOS.

Stage 1: university review

The programme checks your application against its academic admission requirements. If you do not meet them, your application ends here; the scholarship question only arises once you are academically admitted. The institution then ranks admissible applicants and sends the list to VLIR-UOS.

Stage 2: VLIR-UOS screening

VLIR-UOS screens the ranked list against its scholarship criteria: motivation, professional experience, gender balance, regional balance, the “Leave No One Behind” preference for vulnerable groups, and a preference for people who have not studied in a higher-income country before. Selected and waiting-list candidates are emailed by mid-May; most people know their status by then. If you are wait-listed, stay available and confirm your interest if asked.

Reapplying After Rejection

A rejection does not stop you applying the next year. The applicant pool changes each year, and relative criteria such as regional and gender balance mean the odds shift even if your application does not. So persistence can pay off, especially if you sharpen your letter each time. The How Selection Works page explains why rejection does not always reflect quality.