Doctoral fellows at K.U.Leuven - EEA
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Regulative framework
Subject to strict conditions, research scholarships may be awarded to doctoral students. The most important condition is that scholarships are only granted for fundamental and independent scientific research. This means that the research must be carried out autonomously, i.e. not in the context of employment or professional freelance activities. It is essential that the research conducted is disinterested, i.e. the financing body shall not obtain a direct share of the research results, and under no circumstances shall scholarships function as reimbursement for professional activities, either as an employee or as a freelancer.
A tax-exempt scholarship may be awarded for independent doctoral research for a maximum period of 48 months. For EEA citizens, a doctoral scholarship must equal 100% of the net salary of an assistant.
All EEA doctoral fellows are subject to full social security contributions (cf. article 3b of the Executive Decree Concerning Social Security of 28 November 1969). The employer’s contribution is 35.25%, while the personal contribution is 13.07%.In exchange for these contributions, doctoral fellows are entitled to medical insurance as employees, they are covered by the industrial accident and occupational illness law, they receive family allowance and unemployment and pension benefits. Doctoral fellows also receive holiday pay and an end-of-year bonus.
The General Internal Regulations of K.U.Leuven also apply for doctoral fellows.Definition
This form concerns EEA citizens who are conducting doctoral research with a scholarship. Tax-exempt scholarships may be awarded subject to strict conditions, in accordance with the ‘General Internal Regulations for the Allocation of Doctoral Scholarships at K.U.Leuven’. Tax-exempt scholarships may be awarded to conduct independent doctoral research for a period of 48 months and are subject to full social security contributions. The scholarship must equal 100% of the net salary of an assistant.Status
Status in Belgium:- EEA citizens may travel to Belgium without any foregoing procedures. Once they are enrolled at K.U.Leuven, they must request a declaration of enrolment as an EEA citizen from the municipality in which they reside.
- They have the status of "student" and must enrol at the Registrar’s Office as doctoral students. To this end, they must first obtain academic permission to enrol from the International Admissions and Mobility Unit (IAM). Enrolment fees are stipulated by the university management.
- They are registered as Junior Academic Staff by the Human Resources Department.
- Doctoral fellows are not associated with K.U.Leuven in a capacity of legal employment. Full-time doctoral fellows may – on the condition that this does not prevent the completion of doctoral studies within the appointed period of time – be requested to fulfil limited educational or administrative activities for a maximum of 4 hours per week (120 hours per academic year) if the activities are related to monitoring operations in laboratories or guiding exercise sessions, practicals or seminars, or for a maximum of 8 hours per week (240 hours per academic year) if the activities are of an administrative or clinical nature.
- Upon enrolment at the Registrar’s Office and registration at the Human Resources Department, they receive all the necessary certificates for their stay at K.U.Leuven and their residence in Belgium. They must present themselves to the municipal offices within 8 business days.
Research type
Independent fundamental doctoral research (type BOF, IUAP, FWO), distinct from any employment, is eligible to receive a tax-exempt doctoral scholarship.Financing
| Fiscal status | Exempt if: maximum of four years; no preceding employment of more than one year at the university as (teaching) assistant, conducting full-time doctoral research. |
| Social security contributions | Subject to full social security contributions: 35.25% employer,
13.07% personal. In exchange, doctoral fellows receive family allowance, industrial accident and occupational illness insurance and unemployment and pension benefits. |
| Scholarship amount | In accordance with the doctoral regulations of K.U.Leuven, the amount must equal 100% of the net salary of an assistant. |
Status concerning the immigration authorities
No work permit is required.Required insurance
- Accident and third party civil liability: as employee.
- Health insurance: required registration with a Belgian health insurance company as an employee.
- Insurance for personal third party civil liability: optional, but strongly recommended (13 euro).
Regulations
General internal regulations for the allocation of doctoral scholarships at K.U.Leuven.