What is an ATTP Sandwich PhD?

An ATTP Sandwich PhD is a doctoral project conducted under the supervision of at least two researchers: one affiliated with the University Medical Center Groningen (UMCG) and another from a partner institution. You will spend a minimum of six months at each institution. This combined PhD program typically lasts about four years and culminates in a PhD degree from the University of Groningen, and often also from a Partner University (resulting in a Double or Joint Degree).

As an ATTP Sandwich PhD applicant, you may be eligible for a complementary scholarship ("Top-Up") of up to 24 months to support your PhD research at Groningen, provided you are also admitted to the PhD program of the Graduate School of Medical Sciences (GSMS).

Read on to learn more about the application and admissions process.

Application Package

As a prospective ATTP Sandwich PhD student, you will need to assemble an “Application Package” to be submitted to the GSMS by your UMCG supervisor. This package must include the following documentation:

• ATTP Sandwich PhD Application Form (download template below)
• Research Proposal (download template below)
• Supervisor Support Letters (2x; download template below)
• CV of the Candidate
• Financial Statement (download template below)
• Proof of English Proficiency: Minimum scores required are TOEFL iBT 92 (with a minimum skill score of 21) or IELTS 6.5 (with a minimum band score of 6.0 in each section). The acceptability of other (institutional) tests must be verified by the GSMS. You may be conditionally accepted if you cannot provide proof at this stage; however, formal admission will not occur without meeting the official language requirements. Moreover, you must be admitted to qualify for the PhD Scholarship Top-Up (see “Financial”).
• Copy of Diploma (highest degree)

Additionally, if the structure of the Sandwich PhD includes spending the final year(s) at the Partner University, you will also need:

• Letter of Commitment signed by the relevant authority at the Partner University, guaranteeing supervision and funding for the duration of the PhD research conducted there.

Note the following:

• The research proposal form should be completed by you, in agreement with both supervisors. It must outline all anticipated research periods at both UMCG and the partner institution, as well as any prior research conducted at the Partner that will also contribute to fulfilling the University of Groningen PhD requirements.
• The GSMS has specific application procedures in place with some Strategic Partners (see the menu on the left-hand side). Ensure that you follow any specific instructions relevant to your collaboration with the Partner.
• If you have PhD supervisors at both the Partner institution and UMCG, they must consult with each other and both complete and sign the "Supervisor Support Letter" template.
• Incomplete applications will not be processed.

Evaluation

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

• Scientific Quality
• Fit with UMCG Research Program
• Project Feasibility: Expected output of the combined PhD trajectory

We strive to provide the reviewers' evaluations within four to six weeks after the submission of applications. The reviewers' recommendations may be to Award, Adjust, or Reject. In the case of an Adjust or Reject decision, applicants will have the opportunity to submit a rebuttal, after which the reviewers will provide their final advice.

Timeline

The GSMS recommends that you submit your ATTP Sandwich PhD application as early as possible, even if this means your initial admission will be conditional. Early submission has two key benefits:

• It enhances the quality and feasibility of your project by allowing for discussions about the academic complementarity of your PhD research with your co-supervisor from the outset.
• It simplifies budgeting and planning (see “Financial”).

Note the following:

• The earliest possible start date for your research period at UMCG is six months from the submission of your application. The only exception applies if you are already conducting research at UMCG at the time of your application (e.g., as a visiting researcher) and have fulfilled immigration requirements for stays longer than 90 days (MVV). In this case, your earliest possible start date as an admitted PhD candidate is three months after the respective deadlines (see “Evaluation”).
• You may submit your application for conditional admission if one or more of the following requirements have not yet been fulfilled:
  • Proof of proficiency in English
  • Award of an external PhD scholarship (the Financial Statement will indicate which external funding sources you are expected to access)
  • Official approval from the relevant authority for PhD admission at the Partner University (if applicable)

Financial

• Unconditional admission requires that you have access to funding for the anticipated period of research at UMCG.
• The ATTP Sandwich PhD program may provide a Top-Up to external scholarships for your research period at UMCG, to a maximum of 24 months. Any previous research you conducted at UMCG as a visiting doctoral researcher will count toward the maximum research period of 24 months in Groningen.
• All applications that receive a positive review and that require a GSMS Top-Up will be considered for funding. GSMS budgets allow for the annual enrollment of a limited number of ATTP Sandwich PhD students who require a Top-Up, for a maximum of twenty-four months. The actual number of PhD candidates funded through the ATTP Sandwich PhD program depends on the level of the external scholarship, the number of months of funding requested, and the regulations governing the Top-Up program. We aim to support as many qualifying projects as possible.
• The GSMS waives UG PhD tuition fees in case you have been admitted as an ATTP Sandwich PhD student.
• Your PhD supervisors are entitled to receive a standard annual contribution toward bench fees and research costs from the GSMS for a maximum of two years, while you conduct your PhD research at UG/UMCG. Any costs not covered by this standard contribution will need to be met by your department or external sources (see more about fees.).
• Extensions to the original ATTP Sandwich PhD proposal are subject to these guidelines. Applicants and their supervisors are strongly encouraged to familiarize themselves with these policies prior to submitting the ATTP Sandwich PhD application package.
• Any exceptions to these rules must be pre-approved by the Director of the Graduate School of Medical Sciences.
• If you need more information, please consult the Graduate School.

Legal

If your ATTP Sandwich PhD process results in a Double or Joint Degree, the GSMS will coordinate the legal aspects of implementing your PhD trajectory with the relevant internal and external stakeholders. To have the international co-supervision reflected on the degree certificate issued by the University of Groningen, an agreement outlining your individual PhD trajectory must be signed by the legal representatives of both institutions.

However, there is no need to sign such an agreement if the PhD trajectory leads to the award of a single PhD degree from the University of Groningen.