VLIR-UOS Institutional Sholarships

Prerequisite criteria
1. nationality and place of residence
Please note that candidates must reside in their country of nationality at the moment of application. See DGD country list for admissible nationalities: Africa: Algeria, Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, DR Congo, Ethiopia, Guinea, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Madagascar, Mali, Morocco, Mozambique, Niger, Rwanda, Senegal, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe; Asia: Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Palestinian Administered Areas, Philippines, Vietnam; Latin America: Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Cuba, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, Nicaragua, Peru, Surinam

2. minimum English proficiency
Proof of at least 1 year of comprehensive English-based instruction at a university or recognized equivalent. If not, a TOEFL test is required: a minimum total score of 550 on the paper based test (PBT), or 79 on an internet based test (IBT). Or an IELTS test is required with a minimum overall band score of 6. Or a proof of another test of similar level as TOEFLE or IELTS.
3. maximum number of VLIR-UOS scholarship applications in one year
One. If more than one application is submitted, none of the applications will be considered for admission.
4. professional experience
Not required for a master programme, but is a competitive advantage for selection, depending on the programme.
Required for a training programme. See programme requirements for details (number of years, etc. …).
5. present employment/reintegration perspectives
Not required for a master programme, but is a competitive advantage for selection, depending on the programme.
Required for a training programme. The candidate must be currently employed or have a written (future) employer’s guarantee of (re)integration in an organisation where the acquired knowledge and skills will be immediately applicable.
For applicants from a university engaged in a VLIR- IUC partnership, it is required that the Flemish or local IUC coordinator declares that they are not linked to an IUC funded department. If they are linked to such a department, they do not qualify for a scholarship from the scholarship programme from VLIR-UOS but can apply for funding from the IUC budget in case they would be academically admitted.
6. maximum age (on 1 January of the reference year)
Maximum 40 years for a master programme.
Maximum 45 years for a training programme.
7. previous scholarships
The application of a candidate for a master programme who has already been granted a previous master scholarship funded by the Belgian government (DGD) does not qualify for the granting of a VLIR-UOS scholarship. The application of a candidate for a training programme who has already been granted a previous VLIR-UOS scholarship for a training programme, is not admissible.



II. Academic admission criteria
1. complete application file
See programme requirements.
2. timely submission of the application file
Respect the deadline: master programme: 1 February 2011; training programme: check programme website.
3. compliance with academic admission requirements
Minimum level of education or equal professional experience, etc. … See programme requirements.



III. Scholarship selection
1. motivation
It is essential that the candidate’s motivation demonstrates the possibility of transferring knowledge or of creating extension activities, and having a specific developmental dimension.
2. professional experience
Preferably in a research institution, a higher education institution, the government sector (national/regional/local), the sector of social economy, or an NGO. Preferably expertise in development relevant matters
3. present employment/reintegration perspectives
Preferably in a research institution, a higher education institution, the government sector (national/regional/local), the sector of social economy, or an NGO.
Preferably with the possibility to generate an impact through the transfer of knowledge, extension activities or otherwise.
Not in the commercial profit sector.
4. previous scholarships
Prioririty will be given to the application of a candidate for a master programme who did not already has been granted a previous master scholarship. For a candidate for a training programme, the selection committee assesses the opportunity of a VLIR-UOS scholarship award, taking into consideration the candidates’ previous study and scholarship curriculum.
5. gender
In case of two equally qualified candidates of different sexes, preference will be given to the female candidate. The selection commission will aim at a parity or relative balance between the number of men and the number of women awarded a VLIR-UOS scholarship.
6. regional balance
The selection commission will try to ensure that 50% of a programme’s scholarships are granted to candidates from sub-Saharan Africa.
7. social background
In case of two equally qualified candidates, preference will be given to candidates from a disadvantaged area within their country or a ethnic or social minority group, especially when these candidates can provide proof of leadership potential.