VLIR-UOS Scholarships (ICP Connect)

Overview

VLIR-UOS scholarships, offered through the ICP Connect programme, fund students from developing countries to study at universities and university colleges in Flanders, the Dutch-speaking part of Belgium. VLIR-UOS is the Flemish Interuniversity Council's university development cooperation arm, and the goal is to support people who will return home and act as agents of change in higher education, government or civil society.

The scholarship is generous because it covers the full cost of a programme: tuition fees, international travel, insurance and living costs such as board and lodging. There are no partial scholarships and no extensions, so the funding matches the official duration of your programme, whether that is 12, 24 or 36 months.

Eligibility is tied to a fixed list of 29 countries across Africa, Asia and Latin America, and to a set of English-taught programmes that take part in ICP Connect. These include professional bachelor's degrees, initial master's programmes and advanced master's programmes. If you come from an eligible country and are admitted to a participating programme, this is one of the most complete funding packages available for study in Belgium.

Key Facts at a Glance

Item	Detail
Funding Body	VLIR-UOS (Flemish Interuniversity Council - University Development Cooperation)
Host Country	Belgium (Flanders)
Degree Levels	Bachelor's and Master's (initial and advanced)
Value	Full funding: tuition, international travel, insurance and living costs for the full programme duration
Deadline	Annual; each programme sets its own deadline (commonly around 1 or 28 February), results by mid-May
Eligible Nationalities	Nationals and residents of 29 eligible countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America
Official Website	vliruos.be

Eligibility Criteria

Nationality and Residence Requirements

You must hold the nationality of one of the 29 eligible countries and reside in one of those countries at the time you apply. The list spans Africa, Asia and Latin America and includes countries such as Kenya, Ethiopia, Uganda, DR Congo, Vietnam, the Philippines, Bolivia and Peru. Check the official country list to confirm yours is included.

Age Requirements

For an initial bachelor's or master's, you must be no older than 35 as of 1 January of the intake year. For an advanced master's, the limit is 45. Bachelor applicants must be at least 19 by 1 January of the intake year.

Academic and Admission Requirements

You need to be admitted to a participating ICP Connect programme. Each programme has its own academic entry requirements, and your scholarship application is tied to that admission.

Professional Background

Preference goes to candidates working in higher education, government or civil society. Recent graduates and private-sector applicants with strong motivation are also considered. You may hold only one scholarship at a time, may not have held a prior Belgian government scholarship, and may not have enrolled at a Belgian institution before 1 January of the intake year.

What the Scholarship Covers

• Full tuition fees for the participating programme.
• International travel to and from Belgium.
• Insurance for the duration of your studies.
• Living costs, including board and lodging.
• Funding for the full official duration of the programme (12, 24 or 36 months), with no partial awards or extensions.

How to Apply

1. Check your eligibility. Confirm your nationality and residence are on the 29-country list and that you meet the age limits.
2. Choose a participating programme. Browse the ICP Connect programmes (professional bachelor's, initial master's or advanced master's) and pick one that fits your background.
3. Read the programme page. Each programme runs its own admission and scholarship process, so study its website carefully.
4. Apply for admission and the scholarship together. Submit your application for the programme and the scholarship through the organising institution.
5. Meet the programme deadline. Deadlines are set per programme, commonly around 1 or 28 February.
6. Wait for the result. Selections are communicated by mid-May.

Required Documents

• Academic transcripts and diplomas.
• Proof of English-language proficiency, as required by the programme.
• A motivation letter showing your commitment to becoming an agent of change.
• A curriculum vitae, including any professional experience.
• Proof of employment or professional background, where relevant.
• A copy of your passport or national ID.
• Any programme-specific forms requested by the organising institution.

Key Dates & Deadlines

VLIR-UOS scholarships follow an annual cycle. Each eligible programme sets its own deadline, with many falling around 1 or 28 February. Selection results are communicated by mid-May, and studies typically begin in September. Because deadlines vary by programme, always confirm the exact date on the page of the programme you choose.

Tips for a Strong Application

What helps

• Show how you will transfer your knowledge and create impact back home; this is central to the selection.
• Connect your professional experience to the programme and to development goals in your country.
• Start the admission process early, since the scholarship is tied to being admitted.
• Read each programme's specific requirements rather than relying on general information.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Applying when your country isn't on the 29-country list or you don't reside there.
• Missing the age limit for your degree level.
• Submitting more than one scholarship application in a year, which isn't allowed.
• Treating the motivation letter as a formality instead of demonstrating your change-agent potential.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the deadline for the VLIR-UOS Scholarships (ICP Connect)?

There isn't one fixed date. Each programme sets its own deadline, commonly around 1 or 28 February, with results communicated by mid-May.

Who is eligible for the VLIR-UOS Scholarships?

Nationals and residents of one of 29 eligible countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America who are admitted to a participating ICP Connect programme and meet the age limits.

Is the VLIR-UOS Scholarship fully funded?

Yes. It covers tuition, international travel, insurance and living costs for the full programme duration. There are no partial scholarships.

What are the age limits for the VLIR-UOS Scholarships?

Maximum 35 for an initial bachelor's or master's and 45 for an advanced master's, measured at 1 January of the intake year. Bachelor applicants must be at least 19 by that date.

Which countries are eligible for the VLIR-UOS Scholarships?

Twenty-nine countries across Africa, Asia and Latin America, including Kenya, Ethiopia, Uganda, DR Congo, Vietnam, the Philippines, Bolivia and Peru. Check the official country list to confirm yours.

How long does the VLIR-UOS Scholarship last?

It matches the official programme length: 12, 24 or 36 months. Extensions are not granted.

What documents do I need for the VLIR-UOS Scholarships?

Transcripts and diplomas, proof of English, a motivation letter, a CV, proof of professional background where relevant, your passport, and any programme-specific forms.

Can I hold the VLIR-UOS Scholarship with another scholarship?

No. You may hold only one scholarship at a time and cannot have held a prior Belgian government scholarship.

Do I apply to VLIR-UOS or to the programme?

You apply through the organising institution for the participating programme, which handles both admission and the scholarship.

What kind of candidates does VLIR-UOS prefer?

Preference goes to people working in higher education, government or civil society who can transfer knowledge and drive change at home, though motivated recent graduates and private-sector applicants are also considered.