What is an ATTP Sandwich PhD?

In case you are a student from a Strategic Partner you may be eligible for a complementary scholarship of a maximum of 24 months from the Graduate School for the period of PhD research at Groningen. In most cases, you will have two supervisors, one at your home university and one at the UMCG and will in in any case defend your thesis at Groningen. The PhD program takes approximately four years and the Sandwich PhD in any case leads to a PhD degree from the University of Groningen (and usually, a Double PhD degree).

The first prerequisite to become a PhD student at the University of Groningen is the identification of an academic who agrees to be your PhD supervisor. In general, this implies in any case a review of your academic background and an (online) interview. We will therefore only take ATTP Sandwich PhD applications into account if they are submitted by a UMCG supervisor.

Financial

ATTP Sandwich PhD provides a top-up of external scholarships during the period of research carried out at the UMCG. Candidates should (expect to) have access to external co-funds (selective scholarships) at the time of  their application to ATTP Sandwich PhD. Consult the Graduate School in case you need more information.

The agreement between the University of Groningen and the local tax authorities, enabling us to implement top-ups in their current form, expires on 1 September 2024. The future shape of the Top-Up program beyond that date, for new candidates, remains uncertain. The GSMS is however keen to ensure that admitted candidates, also as of 1 September 2024, have access to a (combined) standard monthly allowance and ensure the continuity of PhD collaborations with its international Partners. Consult this FAQ page for updates.

How to apply?

The ATTP sandwich PhD application needs to be submitted by the UMCG supervisor to the Graduate School of Medical Sciences. Incomplete applications will not be processed!

An ATTP Sandwich PhD application consists of the following documentation:

• ATTP sandwich PhD application form
• Research Proposal
• Supervisor support letters (2x) 
• CV candidate
• Financial Statement candidate
• Proof of English proficiency: as of 1 July 2023 it is a hard requirement to submit proof of English proficiency (minimum score tests: TOEFL iBT 92 (minimum skill score 20) or IELTS 6.5 (with a minimum band score of 6.0 on each individual part); TOEFL iBT Home Edition tests are acceptable. You may be conditionally accepted if you are not yet able to provide such proof. Note however that formal admission will not take place without meeting official language requirements, and that you need to be admitted to qualify for the PhD Scholarship Top-Up!
• Copy of diploma (highest degree)

Additionally, in case the structure of the sandwich PhD is such that the final year(s) will be spent at the partner university:

• Letter of commitment signed by the relevant authority at the partner in which supervision and funding are guaranteed for the period of PhD research spent at the partner

The application form, the research proposal template, the supervisor support letter template, and the Financial Statement form are available for download below. Note that:

• The research proposal form should be completed by you as a candidate, in agreement with your supervisors.
• In some cases, the GSMS has agreed upon a specific application procedure with the partner (see the menu on the left-hand side and "ATTP specific partner procedures" below). If so, ensure to also follow any specific instructions relevant to the collaboration with the partner.
• In case you have PhD research supervisors at both the Sandwich PhD Partner institution and UG/UMCG, you should ensure that both supervisors complete and sign the "supervisor support letter" template

Evaluation

The Sandwich PhD proposal will be evaluated by two expert reviewers, based on in any case the following criteria:

• Scientific quality
• Fit with UMCG research program
• Project feasibility, i.e. expected output of combined PhD trajectory

We strive to send the reviewers' evaluation to the PI applicant within four to six weeks after submission. The reviewers' advice is Award, Adjust or Reject. In the case of adjust or reject the PI applicant has the opportunity to write a rebuttal.

The approval decision ultimately lies with the GSMS Director, who will take the evaluations of the expert reviewers and any further feedback from the applicant into account.

ATTP Sandwich PhD proposals, as they require GSMS funding, may be rejected for budgetary reasons. The final authority in all cases resides with the GSMS Director. 

Financial

The following financial conditions apply to ATTP Sandwich PhD students admitted to the UG PhD program and registered at the Graduate School of Medical Sciences:

• You receive a maximum complementary subsistence allowance of 24 months
• You are only entitled to receive such allowance during the period of research spent at UG/UMCG, unless otherwise agreed upon
• The level of your monthly subsistence allowance is established in accordance with the standard of the UG PhD Scholarship Top-Up Program
• The GSMS waives UG PhD tuition fees for admitted ATTP Sandwich PhD students
• Any exceptions to the rules as outlined above need to be pre-approved by the Director of the Graduate School of Medical Sciences. Contact us in case of questions.

UG/UMCG PhD supervisors are entitled to receive a standard annual contribution towards bench fee/research costs from the GSMS for this category of PhD candidates, for a maximum period of two years and while the student carries out PhD research at UG/UMCG. Any costs not covered by the standard contribution will need to be covered by the department/external sources.

ATTP specific partner procedures

In order to facilitate application and enrollment, we have streamlined procedures with some of our partners. It is our aim to ultimately provide this information for each partner. Specific application and enrollment procedures have been established for:

• UdeA Colombia Double Degree Program
• UdeA Colombia International MD-PhD Program
• The Joint Doctoral Program in Biomedical Sciences with Universidad de Chile
• SUMC China Sandwich PhD Program

Students interested in the Double Degree program with UNAM Mexico should contact the University of Groningen's representative at UNAM, Luis Andrés González, for more information on how to proceed. For information on the UG Office in Mexico, visit the UG website.