Université catholique de Louvain Scholarships 2026 open the door to a rare, fully funded doctoral opportunity in Belgium for researchers interested in public policy, reproductive justice, gender studies, and social history. Université catholique de Louvain (UCLouvain) is now accepting applications for a four-year PhD position under the nationally funded 3CoBe project, a major research initiative exploring how contraceptive costs have been financed in Belgium since legalization. This opportunity is especially suited for early-career scholars working at the intersection of history, sociology, political science, and health policy, making it one of the most focused and impactful PhD options currently available in Europe.
This fully funded doctoral scholarship is designed to eliminate financial barriers while immersing researchers in one of Belgium’s leading interdisciplinary academic environments. Successful candidates will be based at UCLouvain’s Interdisciplinary Research Center on Families and Sexualities (Cirfase), where high-quality academic research is closely linked with real-world policy debates on reproductive health and social justice. Through strong institutional support and international academic exposure, this program enables scholars to build meaningful research careers while contributing to socially relevant policy discussions.
Benefits
- Fully funded 4-year PhD position at Université catholique de Louvain (UCLouvain)
- Monthly doctoral scholarship based on UCLouvain’s official PhD salary scale
- Full-time doctoral appointment in Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium
- Commuting support including train subscription coverage where applicable
- Access to a strong interdisciplinary academic and research environment
- Placement at the Interdisciplinary Research Center on Families and Sexualities (Cirfase)
- Close academic supervision within an interdisciplinary research team
- Institutional support for publishing research and academic dissemination
- Funding and opportunities for conference participation
- Support for public engagement activities in both French and English
- Opportunity to contribute to policy discussions on reproductive health and social justice
Eligibility Criteria
- Early-career researcher with strong academic background
- Master’s degree in history, sociology, political science, or a related social science field
- Demonstrated experience in qualitative research methods
- Experience with archival research and institutional analysis
- Ability to work comfortably in French
- Proficiency in at least one additional language: Dutch or English
- Capacity to produce high-quality academic writing in both French and English
- Research maturity and strong analytical skills
- Prior exposure to gender studies, reproductive health, or public policy (advantage, not mandatory)
How to Apply?
- Submit your application online through the official UCLouvain recruitment portal: https://jobs.uclouvain.be
- Applications sent by email or post will not be accepted
- Prepare a detailed academic CV
- Write a motivation letter explaining your research interests and suitability for the PhD (maximum 2 pages)
- Upload a copy of your official Master’s degree diploma and academic transcripts
- Include your Master’s thesis along with a summary (maximum 2 pages)
- Provide the contact details of two academic referees
- Ensure all documents are uploaded before submitting the application
- Applications will be reviewed and shortlisted based on academic profile and research fit
- Shortlisted candidates will be invited to an interview, expected to take place during the week of February 23, 2026
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Université catholique de Louvain Scholarships 2026 offers a fully funded four-year PhD under the 3CoBe project in Belgium for social science graduates with strong research skills, requiring proficiency in French and Dutch or English, and includes a structured selection process.
What is the Université catholique de Louvain Scholarships 2026 about?
The Université catholique de Louvain Scholarships 2026 refers to a funded PhD position under the 3CoBe project, aimed at studying contraceptive cost coverage in Belgium using multidisciplinary research approaches.
Who can apply for Université catholique de Louvain Scholarships 2026?
Applicants must hold a Master’s degree (120 ECTS) in social sciences like history, sociology, or political science, with strong qualitative research skills and proficiency in French and either Dutch or English.
What research will be done with this scholarship?
The scholarship supports research into the social and political history of how Belgium’s social security system has covered contraceptive costs since legalization, blending historical and sociological analysis.
Where is the Université catholique de Louvain Scholarships 2026 located?
This funded PhD scholarship is based at Université catholique de Louvain in Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium, within the Interdisciplinary Research Center on Families and Sexualities.
How long does the scholarship last?
The Université catholique de Louvain Scholarships 2026 provides a four-year PhD scholarship, structured as an initial two years followed by two more years after confirmation.
What languages are required for the scholarship?
Applicants must be proficient in French and either Dutch or English, with the ability to conduct research and academic writing in both French and English.
What are the application requirements?
Candidates must submit a detailed CV, a motivation letter, Master’s degree diploma and transcripts, a Master’s thesis summary, and contacts for two referees through the online portal.
How is the selection carried out?
Selection for the Université catholique de Louvain Scholarships 2026 involves two stages: pre-selection based on application documents, then a final interview planned for late February 2026.
Does the scholarship offer any additional support?
Beyond funding the PhD research, the scholarship includes train subscription coverage for commuting where applicable and aligns with the official doctoral scholarship scale.
When is the application deadline?
The deadline for submitting applications for the Université catholique de Louvain Scholarships 2026 is 25 January 2026, based on the job posting information.
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