The NFP PhD studies is one of the sub-programmes of the NFP.
Mid-career professionals who are already in employment and who are nationals of and working in one of the selected countries can apply a fellowship. The maximum duration of a PhD fellowship is four years. PhD degrees can be pursued at one of the 18 Dutch universities and institutes for international education.

Download the list of Dutch institutions eligible for supervising PhD research (35 kB)

The fellowship

The maximum NFP budget available for a PhD study programme is EUR 74,000. This amount is intended as a contribution towards the costs of living and to cover the costs of visas, travel, insurance, etc. as specified in the NFP booklet ‘Rules and regulations for fellowship holders 2008’.

Download the NFP booklet Rules and regulations for fellowship holders 2008 (560 kB)

PhD students are allowed to seek alternative sources of funding.

Changes in the Rules and regulations for fellowship holders 2008

Please note that part of paragraph 3.8 ‘Calamities and Conflicts’ on page 13 has been adjusted. The addition applies to all NFP-modalities (master’s degree courses, PhD studies, short courses, refresher courses and tailor-made training) that will be carried out in 2008.
Download the addendum (22 kB).Application and selection procedure

The application and selection procedure consist of the following steps:

Application for admission at a Dutch institution
1) Candidates must first apply for academic admission at an eligible Dutch institution. Admission as a PhD student is granted on an individual basis. Senior academic staff or a specific PhD committee decides whether or not an applicant will be accepted. Usually the assessment is based on the research proposal submitted by the applicant.

A candidate can apply for a PhD fellowship only after a research proposal has been agreed between the candidate and the Dutch provider.

Application for a fellowship
2) After receiving their letter of admission, candidates can apply for an NFP fellowship by presenting a completed NFP PhD Study application form to the Netherlands embassy or consulate in the candidate’s own country, accompanied by the necessary documentation.

Download the application form 2009 (82 kB)

The form can also be obtained from the Netherlands embassy or consulate.

Candidates should NOT send their fellowship application forms directly to Nuffic or to the Dutch provider, but should forward them to the Netherlands embassy or consulate in their own country.

3) The embassy or consulate assesses the application against the criteria for eligibility listed above. Special attention is given to:
whether the application stems from a multi-year agreements concluded with selected organizations;
the relevance of the proposed research for the candidate’s organization and country;
proof that the candidate’s employer and the Dutch institution support the application.

4) The embassy or consulate forwards an application that meets all of the criteria for eligibility to Nuffic, together with its own recommendations.

5) Nuffic selects the candidates who will receive PhD fellowships based on the relevance of the proposed research for the candidate’s employing organization and home country. Nuffic gives priority to applications which:
propose that the research project be co–supervised by an institution in a developing country;
have a proven link with other activities that are financed by the NFP or other Dutch government-funded activities;
are submitted by female candidates;
are submitted by candidates from sub-Saharan Africa;
stem from multi-year agreements concluded with selected organizations.

6) Nuffic informs the candidate, the Dutch embassy and the providing institution of its decision.

7) Nuffic awards the grant to the provider to cover the fellowship holders’ costs, including the tuition fees.

The Dutch providers pay each fellowship holder an allowance according to the personal budget agreed upon for the duration of the PhD; they also administer the fellowships, make logistical arrangements, and give guidance to the fellowship holders.

Deadline for applications

The applications for PhD research projects starting in 2009 must reach the Netherlands embassy or consulate in the applicant’s own country before 1 October 2008. Candidates are advised to contact the Netherlands embassy or consulate for country specific information on the NFP.

Download the application form 2009 (82 kB)