Predoctoral, PhD and postdoctoral training at ITM
Predoctoral training
Predoctoral training allows selected candidates from low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) to carry out an ad hoc individual preparatory training programme to strengthen and assess their research skills and capacity to undertake doctoral research. Candidates must have high potential for PhD research (e.g. based on study results) but still lack some (research) competences that can be acquired through the proposed predoctoral programme.
You can only apply to the ITM predoctoral training programme if you have the formal support of an ITM supervisor. Thus, the first step is to discuss research opportunities with the professor or scientist in your area of expertise.
Annual call: View the 2026 Call
(Closed for applications)
PhD training
ITM currently (co-)supervises more than one hundred doctoral students. Half of them come from low- and middle-income countries and follow a sandwich PhD programme. Other PhD students are based at ITM and work as junior researchers or academic assistants, are hosted at ITM as FWO PhD fellows (Flemish Research Foundation) or university fellows, or are self-supported.
The PhD trajectory typically takes four years.
You can only apply to the ITM PhD programme if you have the formal support of an ITM supervisor. Thus, the first step is to discuss PhD research opportunities with the professor or scientist in your area of expertise.
Contact
Sandwich PhD Programme
The Sandwich PhD Programme is aimed at international doctoral candidates from low- and middle-income countries.
Main requirement: fieldwork and research in the candidate’s country of origin, guided and overseen by the home institute supervisor.
Remaining time: research activities conducted at ITM.
Individual Sandwich Programme
Individual Sandwich PhD Scholarship Programme funded by the Directorate-general for Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Aid (DGD)
Apply: Apply now
Deadline: 15 September
Institutional Sandwich Programme
Apply: Application link on request, contact: phd@itg.be
Deadline: 15 September
(additional deadline on 15 March)
Sandwich PhD programme on project funding
Sandwich PhD programme on project funding acquired by your ITM supervisor
Apply: application link on request, contact: phd@itg.be
Deadline: 15 September
(additional deadline on 15 March)
PhD Light Review
PhD applications by candidates – other than sandwich PhD candidates – are considered ‘light review’ PhD applications.
Apply: Application link on request, contact: phd@itg.be
Deadline: 15 March, 9 September
ITM Academic Assistent Track
Main requirement: you prepare a PhD thesis and assist your professor in other academic duties, including education and scientific services delivery.
ITM employee (labour contract). Consult our research vacancies.
ITM Junior Researcher Track
Main requirement: you conduct research in the context of a specific research project or multiple projects.
ITM employee (labour contract). Consult our research vacancies.
ITM PhD hosting programme for university fellows or self-supporting students
Postdoctoral training
Annually, ITM will award postdoctoral grants to candidates from low- and middle-income countries (LMIC) as part of a comprehensive capacity-strengthening programme supported by the Directorate-General for Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Aid (DGD). The grants will enable selected PhD holders who are based at an LMIC home institute to carry out a tailored postdoctoral training programme, with stays at ITM for a maximum of three months per calendar year over a period of up to three years. Candidates must present a postdoctoral training programme proposal supported by their supervisors or mentors at both the home institute and ITM.
The first step to apply is to have the support from an ITM research unit or group.
Apply
Deadline: 15 March
Contact
Other resources
ITM PhD regulations
ITM offers PhD training in collaboration with Belgian universities and universities abroad that deliver the PhD degree. The ITM PhD regulations are specific regulations in addition to the PhD regulations of the awarding university that a priori apply.
Code for PhD students and supervisors
This code outlines the mutual expectations and responsibilities of the (co)supervisors and the PhD student, considered as important to successfully conclude the PhD track.
Related events
PhD defence Christelle Boyi Hounsou
PhD defence Elizabeth Tabitha Abbew
