VLIR-UOS ICP Connect Scholarships at KU Leuven 2026-2027

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Applications for the ICP Connect Scholarships at KU Leuven (Belgium) are now open for the 2026-2027 academic year. These scholarships, funded through the VLIR‑UOS program, provide full funding for English-taught master’s programs targeted at students from developing countries engaged in Belgian cooperation.

Offered by one of Europe’s oldest universities, the ICP Connect KU Leuven program supports the training of “agents of change” capable of contributing to sustainable development in their home countries. Five international Master’s degrees are eligible for this edition 2026-2027, each admitting up to 10 fully-funded scholars.

Eligible Programs at KU Leuven

The ICP Connect scholarships cover five Master’s programs at KU Leuven, all taught in English:

• Master in Cultural Anthropology & Development Studies (CADES)
• Master in Human Settlements (MaHS)
• Master in Food Technology (MaFT)
• Master in Sustainable Development (MSD)
• Master in Water Resources Engineering (WRE)

These programs combine academic excellence, applied research, and a critical approach to sustainable development, food security, and environmental engineering.

Financial Benefits of the ICP Connect Scholarship

Scholarships awarded under the VLIR-UOS ICP Connect scheme cover the full cost of study:

• Full tuition fee waiver at KU Leuven;
• Monthly allowance of €1,400 for living expenses (housing, food, transport etc.);
• Return flight ticket between home country and Belgium;
• Full health and civil liability insurance throughout the Master’s duration;
• Arrival/set-up costs covered.

The scholarship duration corresponds to the official program length: one or two years, depending on the Master chosen.

Eligibility Criteria

To apply for the ICP Connect scholarship at KU Leuven, candidates must meet the following conditions:

1. Be a citizen and resident of one of the 28 eligible countries in Africa, Asia or Latin America (see list below).
2. Apply for one of the five eligible Master’s programs listed above at KU Leuven.
3. Be aged ≤ 35 years for a first Master, or ≤ 45 years for an advanced Master, as of 1 January 2026.
4. Have not previously received a Belgian government scholarship nor studied in a Belgian higher education institution before 1 January 2026.
5. Show an excellent academic record and strong motivation to contribute to sustainable development in your country.
6. Provide proof of English proficiency (IELTS, TOEFL, Cambridge etc.) according to program requirements.

Application Procedure & Timeline

If you are applying to one of the eligible programs above, your application will automatically be considered for the ICP Connect scholarship. Applications are submitted entirely online via the KU Leuven master’s admission portal:

1. Submit a complete application to your chosen Master’s programme before 1 February 2026;
2. Eligible and academically admissible candidates will be automatically considered for the ICP Connect scholarship;
3. Each program selects the top dossiers and may award up to 10 scholars per cohort.

Official Timeline ICP Connect 2026 at KU Leuven

• Applications open: 16 October 2025 (12:00 CET)
• Applications close: 1 February 2026 (23:59 CET)
• Results: Spring 2026 (notification by VLIR-UOS and KU Leuven)

About KU Leuven

Founded in 1425, KU Leuven is Belgium’s oldest university and one of Europe’s top research institutions. It hosts over 60,000 students annually, with more than 20% international students.

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