Financing your PhD

You can apply for financing to cover the costs of doing your PhD.

You can apply either apply for a grant which combines doctoral research with teaching responsibilities, or for a pure research grant, without teaching responsibilities.

In the first case these are assistantships. New assistants' posts are offered each year. They are published in March/April on the academic and scientific job vacancy website. You must submit your application in May/June. If your application is successful, the appointment will run from October. You can obtain more information from faculty offices.

Some examples of PhD grants without teaching obligations:

• FNRS 'Aspirants' grants

• FRIA grants

• 'Mini-ARC' bursaries

• 'Prospective Research for Brussels' bursaries

Competition for all grants is very strong. It is important to take the time to prepare your application thoroughly. Depending on your area of study, other sources of financing may exist. Please feel free to discuss the possibilities with your supervisor.

In some cases, although this is not an ideal solution, you could do your doctorate without a grant.
Contact your potential supervisor as soon as possible to discuss your research and possible sources of finance.

Students and members of staff of ULB can obtain further information on the options for financing a PhD:

• in the brochure Les sources de financement de la recherche (“Sources of financing for research students”),

• via the InfoFin information base