Calls for Applications

Calls for PhD funding are published by Minciencias. Candidates are responsible for submitting their application directly to the funding agency.

Call for Applications and Deadlines 2026

• Application period: 13 March – 20 April 2026
• Publication of results: 16 July 2026 (preliminary results: 16 June)

Candidates are expected to start their PhD in the second half of 2026, in line with the conditions of the call. Due to the timing of the results and visa procedures, feasibility of start dates may need to be assessed on a case-by-case basis.

Funding

The Minciencias scholarship includes:

• Monthly stipend: approximately €900–€1,000
• Tuition support: up to approximately €45,000 (total)

The funding level does not meet Dutch immigration income requirements. Additional funding will therefore be required.

Candidates admitted to a PhD program at the University of Groningen, and who will obtain their PhD degree from the University of Groningen, may be eligible for a supplementary (top-up) contribution to their monthly scholarship for the period of research conducted in Groningen (conditions apply).

Please note that the availability of such top-up funding depends on institutional policy, available resources, and the applicable funding frameworks at the time arrangements for the PhD trajectory are formalized.

For more information, consult this FAQ section.

For Prospective PhD Candidates

• We welcome you to look into the offer of our Research Institutes and the UMCG research website.
• Considering that websites may be hard to navigate, in case you need assistance locating a supervisor for your PhD project, please reach out to the Graduate School of Medical Sciences following instructions outlined on our "Matchmaking" webpage.
• Applicants will need to submit a (conditional) Letter of Acceptance issued by the Graduate School as part of their application to Minciencias. This letter needs to be obtained by the UMCG supervisor (next section).
• Note that it is a hard requirement to submit proof of proficiency in English meeting GSMS requirements, as part of your unconditional admission to the GSMS PhD program. 

We strongly recommend that candidates contact the UG Representative Office in Mexico (Ms Camila Carvajal and Mr Luis Andrés González) via latinamerica@rug.nl. 

For UMCG Supervisors

In order to prepare the letter of acceptance for Minciencias PhD applicants, UMCG supervisors should provide the Graduate School of Medical Sciences with the information and documentation requested here.

No bench fees can be claimed from Minciencias. UMCG supervisors of successful applicants will receive the standard annual contribution towards bench fees from the Graduate School.