International students aiming to study in Belgium with full financial support can now apply for the ICP Connect Scholarships 2026–2027, an exceptional initiative offering complete funding for 20 specialised master’s programmes across top Belgian universities. The call is officially open for students beginning their studies in September 2026, with the mission of fostering global change-makers from 29 eligible countries across Africa, Asia, and Latin America. The programme continues to expand its reach, with Mali newly added to the list of eligible countries for the 2026 intake.
Funded by VLIR-UOS, these scholarships support academic excellence, leadership potential, and development-oriented perspectives—enabling talented students to gain world-class education in Belgium and contribute to socio-economic transformation in their home countries.
What the ICP Connect Scholarship Offers?
The ICP Connect Scholarship provides full financial coverage, ensuring that selected students can complete their studies without financial stress. Scholarships are available for 12-, 24-, or 36-month programmes, depending on the master’s curriculum.
The funding includes a comprehensive monthly allowance, tuition fee support, and coverage of key academic costs depending on the policies of the organising institution. While students receive a monthly stipend to manage daily living expenses, tuition, insurance, or accommodation may be paid directly by the university or deducted from the allowance—ensuring that the scholarship meets all essential study-related needs. Though additional funding for optional academic activities (like international immersions) is not provided, some programmes may offer their own supplementary support.
Who Can Apply? New Eligibility Requirements
The scholarship is strictly available for students from the 29 VLIR-UOS eligible countries in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. Applicants must meet the academic eligibility requirements of their chosen programme and the specific scholarship criteria.
ICP Connect programmes are taught entirely in English, and therefore require a strong level of English proficiency. Some institutions may waive the English test requirement if the applicant earned a previous degree in an English-medium environment; however, this varies by programme and must be confirmed directly with the university.
Work Experience & Academic Background
While priority is given to candidates working in higher education, public institutions, or civil society, newly graduated students or those from the private sector may still qualify if they demonstrate strong motivation and a compelling academic profile. Applicants with unrelated bachelor’s degrees may also be considered if they have relevant professional experience.
Age Requirements
- Bachelor’s or initial Master’s applicants must not be older than 35 on 1 January 2026
- Advanced Master’s applicants must not be older than 45 on 1 January 2026
- Applicants for bachelor programmes must be at least 19 years old by the same date.
Other New Eligibility Notes
- Applicants with foreign degrees are welcome if they meet nationality and residency requirements.
- Applicants who studied in a high-income country before may be at a lower priority, although short exchange programmes do not count.
- Applicants who previously received admission without a scholarship may reapply.
- Document legalization is required for some countries and must follow Belgian embassy protocols.
There are no application fees, and students do not need separate reference letters for the programme and the scholarship.
How to Apply for the ICP Connect Scholarships?
Applicants must apply directly to the organizing institution offering the ICP Connect programme of their choice. Each participating programme manages its own application portal, admission process, English-language requirements, and document checks.
Application Steps
- Visit the VLIR-UOS website and identify an eligible ICP Connect programme.
- Apply directly to the programme via their official admissions portal.
- Submit all required documentation, including proof of English proficiency, transcripts, degree certificates (or provisional certificates), and reference letters as requested by the organizing university.
- Await the institution’s academic screening and ranking.
- VLIR-UOS will then conduct its own selection process based on the recommended candidate list.
- Selected candidates and waitlisted applicants will be informed directly by VLIR-UOS, while non-selected candidates will be contacted by the programme.
All ICP Connect programmes are taught in English, and Dutch proficiency is not required for academic success or daily living—though basic Dutch may be useful for convenience.
Important Timeline for 2026–2027 Intake
For the 2026–2027 academic cycle, the ICP Connect Scholarship applications must be submitted by 28 February 2026, after which no new applications will be accepted. Successful candidates will begin their programme on 1 September 2026.