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For students looking to pursue a fully funded PhD in Europe, the Ghent University Doctoral Fellowship 2026 presents an outstanding opportunity. Hosted by one of Belgium's leading research institutions, this doctoral fellowship is part of the prestigious European Research Council (ERC) HAIR Project, which explores Muslim femininities and body politics across Egypt, Lebanon, and the United Arab Emirates.

The fellowship combines academic excellence with extensive field research, offering doctoral candidates the opportunity to conduct ethnographic and digital research while working alongside internationally recognized scholars. Successful applicants will receive a competitive salary, generous employment benefits, expert supervision, and access to an interdisciplinary research environment.

If you are interested in Arabic studies, Middle Eastern studies, gender studies, anthropology, or related disciplines, this guide explains everything you need to know before applying.

About Ghent University

Located in Belgium, Ghent University is among Europe's most respected public research universities. It employs more than 15,000 staff members across 11 faculties and is known for producing high-impact research across various academic fields.

The doctoral fellowship is hosted within the Department of Languages and Cultures under the Faculty of Arts and Philosophy. Researchers will also become part of the Ghent Centre for Arabic, Islamic and Middle East Studies, an internationally recognized research center that promotes interdisciplinary collaboration.

Doctoral fellows will work closely with experienced researchers while contributing to cutting-edge academic debates surrounding beauty, identity, gender, and religion in contemporary Muslim societies.

Overview of the Ghent University Doctoral Fellowship 2026

Scholarship Details	Information
Host Country	Belgium
University	Ghent University
Fellowship Type	Fully Funded PhD
Research Project	ERC HAIR Project
Contract Duration	Up to 48 months
Initial Appointment	12 months
Extension	Subject to positive evaluation
Earliest Start Date	December 1, 2026
Application Deadline	July 31, 2026

Research Focus of the ERC HAIR Project

The doctoral fellowship is part of the ERC-funded HAIR Project, an ambitious research initiative examining the cultural, political, emotional, and religious meanings attached to beauty and femininity within Muslim-majority societies.

Researchers will primarily focus on Lebanon while contributing to broader comparative studies involving Egypt and the UAE.

The project explores topics including:

Beauty and Identity

Researchers investigate how beauty ideals influence identity formation among Muslim women.

Gender and Embodiment

The project studies how bodies, appearance, and gender norms shape everyday experiences.

Literature and Cultural Expression

Candidates analyze Arabic literary texts alongside ethnographic and digital fieldwork to understand changing cultural narratives.

Body Politics

The research examines debates surrounding selfhood, modesty, beauty standards, and public representation beyond discussions focused solely on the veil.

This interdisciplinary approach combines anthropology, literature, religious studies, gender studies, and digital research methods.

Benefits of the Ghent University Doctoral Fellowship

The fellowship provides both financial security and professional development opportunities throughout the doctoral journey.

Successful applicants will receive:

Fully Funded Employment

Recipients receive a full-time doctoral research position with a salary equal to 100% of the net salary of an AAP member under equivalent family circumstances.

Long-Term Research Support

The appointment begins with a 12-month contract and can be extended to a maximum of 48 months following a successful performance review.

International Research Environment

Doctoral researchers become part of an internationally diverse academic community that encourages collaboration across disciplines.

Expert Academic Supervision

Candidates receive mentorship from experienced faculty members and researchers involved in the ERC project.

Professional Development

The fellowship includes opportunities for:

International networking
Academic conferences
Advanced research training
Interdisciplinary collaboration
International mobility

Employee Benefits

Additional employment benefits include:

36 days of annual leave
Fixed bridge holidays
Bicycle allowance
Eco vouchers
Access to university facilities and services

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants should meet the following academic and professional requirements.

Academic Qualifications

Candidates must possess a Master's degree in a relevant discipline, including:

Arabic Studies
Islamic Studies
Anthropology
Middle Eastern Studies
Gender Studies
Religious Studies
Cultural Studies
Related fields

Research Experience

Applicants should have completed an outstanding Master's dissertation focusing on the contemporary Middle East or a closely related topic.

Research Interests

Strong interest in the following themes is expected:

Gender studies
Muslim societies
Literature
Identity
Embodiment
Beauty and body politics

Language Requirements

Applicants must demonstrate:

Excellent spoken and reading Arabic
Excellent academic writing in English
Strong communication skills

Personal Qualities

Ideal candidates should be:

Independent researchers
Collaborative team members
Motivated to undertake international fieldwork
Strong academic writers
Enthusiastic and adaptable

Required Application Documents

Applicants must prepare several documents before submitting their application.

These include:

Updated Curriculum Vitae
Academic transcript
Application letter (maximum two pages)
Undergraduate and Master's transcripts
Research proposal (maximum 2,000 words excluding references)
Contact details for three referees
Overview of academic results
Published research samples, if available

All documents should be submitted in PDF format.

How to Apply for the Ghent University Doctoral Fellowship

The application process is straightforward but requires careful preparation.

Step 1

Prepare all required documents.

Step 2

Write a research proposal aligned with the ERC HAIR Project, focusing specifically on the Lebanon case study.

Step 3

Merge your CV and academic transcript into one PDF document.

Step 4

Email your complete application to:hair@ugent.be

Step 5

Applications should be submitted before the deadline.

Late submissions will not be considered.

Important Dates

Applicants should keep these key dates in mind.

Event	Date
Application Deadline	July 31, 2026
Shortlisted Candidates Contacted	August 21, 2026
Interviews	Early September 2026
Earliest Contract Start	December 1, 2026

Preparing your application well before the deadline provides sufficient time to gather recommendation letters and refine your research proposal.

Tips for Writing a Strong Research Proposal

A well-developed proposal significantly improves your chances of selection.

Your proposal should:

Clearly identify a research question.
Demonstrate familiarity with existing scholarship.
Explain your proposed methodology.
Show how your project contributes to the HAIR research objectives.
Highlight why Lebanon provides a valuable case study.
Present a realistic research timeline.

Strong proposals balance originality with practical feasibility.

Why Choose Ghent University?

Studying at Ghent University offers far more than financial support.

Doctoral researchers gain access to:

Internationally respected academics
High-quality research facilities
Collaborative research groups
Global academic networks
Advanced interdisciplinary training
Long-term career development opportunities

Graduates from Ghent University frequently continue into academic careers, research institutes, international organizations, and policy-related positions.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the Ghent University Doctoral Fellowship?

It is a fully funded PhD position within the ERC-funded HAIR Project that investigates Muslim femininities, beauty, identity, and body politics in Egypt, Lebanon, and the UAE.

Who is eligible to apply?

Applicants must hold a relevant Master's degree, possess strong research skills, demonstrate excellent Arabic and English language abilities, and have a strong academic background related to the contemporary Middle East.

Is the fellowship fully funded?

Yes. Successful applicants receive a full salary along with numerous employment benefits, paid leave, bicycle allowance, eco vouchers, and professional development opportunities.

How long does the fellowship last?

The fellowship begins with a 12-month appointment and can continue for up to 48 months after successful evaluation.

What is the application deadline?

Applications must be submitted by July 31, 2026.

Is teaching required?

No. The primary responsibility is conducting doctoral research. Limited teaching opportunities may become available depending on departmental needs.

Where should applications be submitted?

Applications should be emailed to hair@ugent.be with all required documents attached in PDF format.

Who can I contact for additional information?

Applicants may contact Prof. Lisa Franke via lisa.franke@ugent.be for further details regarding the fellowship.

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Ghent University Doctoral Fellowship 2026 Ghent University PhD scholarship Belgium fully funded PhD ERC HAIR project PhD scholarship Belgium 2026 Ghent University scholarship doctoral fellowship Europe fully funded doctorate Belgium Middle East studies PhD Arabic studies scholarship gender studies PhD anthropology PhD Belgium

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Ghent University Doctoral Fellowship 2026 Belgium | Fully Funded