Doctoral fellows at K.U.Leuven - Non-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. Depending on the source of funding and social security contributions (reduced or full contributions), scholarships for non-EEA citizens may be equal to (at least) 75%, 90%, 95% or 100% of the net salary of an assistant.
As of 1 July 2003, all non-EEA doctoral students are subject to reduced social security contributions (cf. article 3b of the Executive Decree of 28 November 1969 concerning social security contributions), insofar as the scholarship students reside in Belgium temporarily, and on the condition that no bilateral social security treaties have been concluded with their county of origin. Bilateral social security treaties have been concluded with Algeria, Australia, Canada, Chilli, the Philippines, India, Israel, Japan, (ex-)Yugoslavia, Morocco, San-Marino, Tunisia, Turkey, Uruguay, USA and South Korea.Concretely, this means that scholarships for doctoral students, insofar as they are from outside the EEA and do not reside permanently in Belgium, and insofar as they are not subject to the scope of application of an international treaty concerning social security, are exempt from full social security contributions: the employer’s social security contribution is reduced to 23.84% and the personal contribution to 4.7%. In exchange for these limited contributions, doctoral fellows are entitled to medical insurance as employees, they are covered by the industrial accident and occupational illness law and they receive family allowance. They are not, however, entitled to either unemployment or pension benefits, nor will holiday pay or an end-of-year bonus be awarded.
The General Internal Regulations of K.U.Leuven for doctoral fellows are in effect.
Definition
This form concerns non-EEA citizens who are conducting doctoral research with a scholarship. Tax-exempt scholarships may be allocated subject to strict conditions, in accordance with the ‘General Internal Regulations for the Allocation of Doctoral Scholarships at K.U.Leuven’.Status
Status in Belgium:- With respect to the Belgian government, they have the status of "student". Students are only entitled to reside in Belgium if, in a foreign country, they have received an authorisation for a provisional sojourn (visa type D) (via the Belgian embassy/consulate in the country in which they legally reside and are registered in the Foreigners’ Register upon their arrival (BIVR)). It is recommended that the student begins the procedure at least four months prior to his/her arrival in Belgium. The International Admissions and Mobility Unit (IAM) co-ordinates all administration in this regard.
- They have the status of "student" and must enrol at the Registrar’s Office as doctoral students. They must first receive academic permission to do so from the IAM Unit. Enrolment fees are stipulated by the university authorities.
- Doctoral fellows are not associated with K.U.Leuven in a capacity of legal employment. Full-time doctoral fellows (who receive a scholarship that is equal to 90%, 95% of 100% van de net salary of an assistant) 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, they receive all the necessary certificates for health insurance, their stay at K.U.Leuven and their residence in Belgium. They must present themselves to the municipal offices within 8 business days. The International Office arranges health insurance and co-ordinates scholarship administration for doctoral students.
Research type
Independent fundamental doctoral research (type BOF, IUAP, FWO), distinct from any employment, is eligible to receive financing through 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 a (teaching) assistant conducting full-time doctoral research. |
| Social security contributions | Subject to reduced social security contributions, employer’s contribution: 23.84%; employee’s contribution: 4.7% (cf. article 3b of the Executive Decree of 28 November 1969 concerning social security). If a bilateral social security treaty has been concluded with the country of origin, the student is subject to full social security contributions: employer’s contribution: 35.25%; personal contribution: 13.07%. |
| Scholarship amount | Reduced social secutiry contributions: 75%, 90%, 95% or 100% of the net salary of an assistant. Full social security contributions: 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 is mandatory and can be paid for during the enrolment procedure (13 euro).
Regulations
General internal regulations for the allocation of doctoral
scholarships at K.U.Leuven.
