FAQ

The programme is organised in residential modules, consisting of 4-5 consecutive days each. This setup also makes it ideal for candidates residing outside of the Netherlands, as they only have to travel to Rotterdam a limited number of times. The 4 mandatory modules in year 1 take place every 2-3 months.

Last update: 6 February 2023

The programme fee is € 10,000 per year for the first two years, €7,000 per year for years 3 and 4, and €6,000 for each subsequent year, up to a maximum of €46,000.

Last update: 5 September, 2023

A small number of tuition fee waivers will be considered in exceptional situations, where academically excellent candidates are not able to financially sustain program participation through their own resources. Waivers are granted for the duration of one year only. Decisions on the continuation of grants are taken on an annual basis and are contingent on study progress, need for financial support, and available budget.

Candidates who wish to apply for a tuition fee waiver need to indicate this during their application or, for enrolled candidates, at least two months prior to start of the academic year. Waiver requests need to be accompanied by a credible demonstration of financial necessity. This includes evidence of own income and the impossibility to obtain external financial support, such as a contribution from the employer or a research scholarship.

For all candidates eligible for the scholarship, the selection will be made based on excellence.

The continuation of the scholarships will be decided on a yearly basis, based on progress made and ongoing need for financial support.

Last update: 6 February, 2023

If you have a personal contact with a professor, you may contact them directly to see whether they are interested in your project and/or acting as a supervisor for your project.

Last update: 30 November, 2023

For the 2024 cohort, we aim to have between 15 and 20 candidates.

Last update: 6 February, 2023

We are sorry, but if you missed the deadline you will need to wait to apply next year.

Last update: 30 November, 2023

This will depend on the nature of the courses followed and any exemptions will be decided on a case-by-case basis by the Academic Director. However, the modules are organised in such a way that they build upon one another, so following the entire course programme is recommended.

Last update: 6 February, 2023

You can find the information here.

Last update: 30 November, 2023

If you have a personal contact with a professor, you may contact them directly to see whether they are interested in your project and/or acting as a supervisor for your project. If you don’t have a connection yet it is best to start by looking at our research area descriptions (link “Open PhD projects”) and connect your research idea to one of the themes described there in your application. We will then (try to) match you with interested faculty members.

Last update: 30 November, 2023

No, this is not mandatory. However, it increases your chances of acceptance. It is mandatory to submit a sample of academic writing, which can be a research proposal, but could also be a thesis excerpt or a paper.

Last update: 30 November, 2023

Have a look at our research areas (link “Open PhD projects”) and try to connect your idea to the themes described there. Have a look at the (academic) literature regarding these themes and topics: To what extent is your question already answered? To what extent is it new, and adds to the body of knowledge that is already there? Have similar problems been researched in the literature – and how have researchers approached them? Would that approach also work for your question?

The research proposal that you submit in your application (if any) will serve as a first point of departure with your potential supervisors, and will develop over the first year in the programme into a proper academic research proposal.

Last update: 30 November, 2023

Have a look at our dissertations and open PhD projects.

Last update: 30 November, 2023