Confirmation of eligibility for doctoral programme

Background

The entry requirements for a Fund for Scientific Research - FNRS (F.R.S.-FNRS) research fellowship (ASP), a FRIA grant or a FRESH grant are the same as those for third-cycle (doctoral) degree studies, as set out in article 115 of the Decree of 7 November 2013 of the French Community of Belgium defining the higher education landscape and the academic organisation of studies.

Target group

Individuals applying for a research fellowship (ASP) or a FRIA or FRESH grant:

• who have completed their university studies outside Belgium;

OR

• who have obtained, in Belgium, one or more qualifications entitling them to embark on a doctorate, other than a 120-credit Master’s degree or a 240-credit Master’s degree in the strict sense (e.g. an Advanced Master’s degree, two 60-credit Master’s degrees, etc.).

Procedure

Individuals applying for a research fellowship (ASP) or a FRIA or FRESH grant who have completed their university studies outside Belgium or who do not hold a Belgian 120-credit or 240-credit Master’s degree must include in their application (submitted via the E-Space platform) confirmation that they are eligible to study for a doctorate, in the form of a certificate issued by UCLouvain.

This document will be issued once the Enrolment Office AND the appropriate subject-specific doctoral committee (CDD) have examined the application.

For this purpose, applicants for a research fellowship (ASP) or a FRIA or FRESH grant must follow the usual PhD admission procedure that applies for holders of a non-Belgian degree. This procedure comprises two key steps, involving submission of their application:

• to the Enrolment Office (direct link to the form) for administrative admission;

AND

• to the subject-specific doctoral committee (CDD) for the PhD admission application (or provisional admission to PhD).

Both of these steps (Enrolment Office and Doctoral Committee) are essential and should be undertaken in parallel.

The two applications (administrative admission and PhD admission) must be submitted as early as possible. Applicants are advised to ensure that both of these documents are complete because it may not be possible to process incomplete applications within the deadline set by the Fund for Scientific Research - FNRS.

When submitting their applications to the Enrolment Office and the CDD, applicants must clearly state that they intend to submit an application to the Fund for Scientific Research - FNRS (for a research fellowship (ASP) or for a FRIA or FRESH grant).

Timetable