Fully funded PhD Scholarship in Theology, Religious Studies or Slavic Studies, Belgium

Eligibility Criteria

• Eligible Countries: Open to applicants from all nationalities.
• Acceptable Course or Subjects:
  The scholarship will be awarded for PhD research in Theology, Religious Studies, or Slavic Studies, or a closely related field.
• Admissible Criteria: To be eligible, applicants must meet the following criteria:
• Hold a Master’s degree (or equivalent) in Theology, Religious Studies, Slavic Studies, or a related field.
• Meet the entrance requirements for doctoral studies at the Faculty of Theology and Religious Studies or the Faculty of Arts at KU Leuven.
• Have an excellent command of English (project language) and proficiency in French and Russian (main source languages); additional knowledge of Modern Greek or Italian is an asset.
• Demonstrate strong academic interest in church history, ecumenism, Russian emigration, and textual or network analysis.
• Possess experience with historical and/or theological research.
• Show a willingness to work independently and collaboratively within a multidisciplinary and international research team.
• Be open to international academic exchange and mobility.

Offered Benefits

• A full-time, fully funded PhD position for four years (initial one-year scholarship, renewable upon positive evaluation).
• Supervision by leading scholars in theology, church history, and Slavic studies.
• Access to a stimulating and supportive research environment with opportunities for training, conferences, and publications.
• Engagement in an interdisciplinary academic community at one of Europe’s top research universities.

Application Process

Interested candidates should apply online via the KU Leuven application tool no later than November 4, 2025.

Required Application Documents:
• Motivation letter (max. 2 pages)
• Detailed CV
• Full transcript of academic records
• Sample of academic writing (e.g., MA thesis or published article)
• One reference letter

For more information, applicants may contact:
Prof. Dr. Peter De Mey (