Internationalisation
Funded by zukunft.niedersachsen, the joint science funding programme of the Lower Saxony Ministry of Science and Culture and the Volkswagen Foundation.
Internationalisation
Double Doctorate PhD Programme
Researchers with the right to supervise and examine PhD candidates may apply for funding for a PhD post, which is funded for two years by the UOL (one year from the ‘Programme for Excellence’, one year by the applicants) and for a further two years at the University of Groningen (RUG). It is important to note that the University of Groningen does not provide any central financing to cover these two years. Financing for the two-year stay in Groningen must be provided in full by the relevant PI there or the relevant School at the University of Groningen. A prerequisite for submitting an application is therefore a signed Letter of Intent, which bindingly confirms that financing for these two years in Groningen is secured. The doctoral projects are intended to systematically expand international research activities across all Schools at the UOL and lead to joint research projects funded by third-party grants. Furthermore, a clear link to the priority areas of the Roadmap or to the clusters of excellence or areas of potential should be evident.
The application deadline is 30 November 2026 for a double doctorate with a funding period commencing on 1 April 2027.
Go to the application form.
Duration and financing
From 2026, the Programme for Excellence will provide funding for a PhD post covering up to 100 per cent of the salary, based on TV-L E13, for one year – ideally one PhD post per School.
Financing for a Double Doctorate post covers a total of four years. The universities each contribute half of the financing: in Oldenburg on the basis of TV-L E13, and in Groningen on the basis of Salary Grade P.
This means that funding for the second year of the Double Doctorate at the University of Oldenburg must be secured through project funding or internal faculty funds.
application procedure
The programme is open to all Schools.
The application deadline is 30 November 2026 for a double doctorate with a funding period starting on 1 April 2027.
FAQ
Who can submit an application?
Researchers with the right to supervise and examine doctoral candidates may apply for funding for a doctoral post.
How can I submit an application?
Applications must be submitted online via the ‘Internationalisation’ section on the University of Oldenburg website. They can only be submitted via the relevant Oldenburg principal investigator.
What financial criteria must be met when applying?
The financing covers a 4-year period for a post of up to 100 per cent. The universities will each contribute half of the financing; in Oldenburg this is based on TV-L E13, and in Groningen on Salary Grade P.
One year of a full-time equivalent (FTE) E13 position within the four-year double doctorate project is funded through the Programme for Excellence. As the applicant, you must provide evidence of financing for a further year, either through project funds or internal faculty funds. This matching commitment must be confirmed by a Letter of Intent.
Furthermore, your colleague in Groningen must provide evidence of financing from the Groningen side for a further two years by means of a corresponding Letter of Intent.
Both proofs of funding must be submitted with the application.
Is the scope of a double doctorate project fixed?
No, it is left to the graduate schools or Schools to agree among themselves on the number of posts to be advertised in Oldenburg or Groningen.
Are experience levels carried over?
When the contract in Oldenburg begins, the experience levels from the position in Groningen can be carried over.
How many double doctorate projects are funded under the ‘Programme for Excellence’?
Up to six double-doctorate projects may be funded per call for proposals – ideally one project per School at the UOL.
What are the content-related requirements that must be met when applying?
The PhD projects are intended to systematically extend international research activities to all Schools at the UOL and lead to joint research projects funded by external grants.
A clear link to the priority areas of the Roadmap or to the clusters of excellence or areas of potential should be evident.
When will the call for applications for the Double Doctorate Programme be published?
The programme is announced between early and mid-October each year. The application deadline is 30 November each year, with funding commencing on 1 April each year.
How long does the Double Doctorate programme run for, and how often is it advertised?
The Double Doctorate Programme will be advertised twice more as part of the Programme for Excellence, namely in October 2026 and October 2027.
Is there a template for a job advertisement?
Yes, a sample can be requested from the Planning and Development Unit / Ms Birgit Bruns.
Will there be two contracts, each for two years, or could there be a single four-year contract from Oldenburg?
Financing and recruitment take place separately, one after the other, rather than in parallel. Consequently, each appointment is for a period of two years at the respective university, with contracts of two years’ duration.
Can the post be advertised for a four-year term, or must there be two separate job advertisements, one in Oldenburg and one in Groningen?
The post is advertised for a period of four years and is being promoted via a joint vacancy notice. It must be made clear that there will be two separate employment contracts and that the PhD will be carried out for two years in Oldenburg and two years in Groningen.
For how long should the vacancy be advertised?
The deadline for advertising a vacancy should not be less than two weeks. At the University of Groningen, it is customary to advertise a vacancy for two to three weeks. At the University of Oldenburg, the deadline for advertising vacancies is usually at least two weeks.
Are these roles suitable for part-time work?
The positions are suitable for part-time work in both Oldenburg and Groningen.
On what basis are fixed-term employment contracts established in Oldenburg?
The fixed-term contract is based on Section 2(1) of the Act on Fixed-Term Contracts in Academia for the purpose of professional development.
Does the project have to start in Oldenburg?
No, the project can be launched at either of the two partner university campuses.
Do doctoral candidates in Oldenburg have teaching duties they are required to undertake?
Doctoral candidates have a teaching obligation provided that the proportion of their post funded by the School is relevant to their capacity. If this is not the case, there is no teaching obligation. Nevertheless, they are encouraged to gain teaching experience.
Visiting Fellow Programme
The ‘Visiting Fellow Programme’ is open to all researchers at PhD level or above who wish to undertake a two- to four-month research visit at the other university.
The aim of this funding measure is to create a framework for the preparation of a joint research project or research proposal, or to promote the University of Oldenburg as a long-term place of work. In addition to the RUG, other universities, non-university research institutions, cultural or administrative institutions and non-governmental organisations can also be visited as part of this funding initiative.
Similarly, researchers at PhD level or above from the University of Groningen and other universities may be invited to the University of Oldenburg.
The stay should serve to prepare a joint research project and/or a joint research proposal (e.g. DFG research funding, PRIME, ESI funding, funding for junior research groups by the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR), Marie Curie, Alexander von Humboldt Foundation, Interreg North Sea, Interreg Germany-Netherlands) and/or to promote the UOL as a long-term place of work.
This mobility programme is made possible by the ‘A Programme for Excellence’ initiative, which is funded by the Lower Saxony Ministry of Science and Culture and the VolkswagenStiftung.
Who can participate?
The programme is open to all faculties.
Researchers at PhD level and above are invited to apply for funding.
Duration and Funding
Stays of two to four months are eligible for funding. Funding can be applied for to cover travel and accommodation costs up to a maximum of € 6,000, as well as material costs up to a maximum of € 500 per mobility period. Travel and accommodation costs will be reimbursed in accordance with the Lower Saxony Travel Expenses Regulation (NRKVO).
Application
The deadline for applications is 31 May 2026 for projects with a funding period starting on 1 July 2026.
Please submit your application in electronic form via the application portal.
In a selection meeting after the end of the application period, the selection committee will decide on the funding applications received. Applicants will be informed of the decision as soon as possible.
Evaluation criteria
- Potential of the planned cooperation beyond the duration of the measure
- Feasibility of the planned project with visible results
- Added value for cooperation between the two universities.
UOL-RUG Networks
The UOL-RUG Networks programme aims to further strengthen the network between the universities of Oldenburg and Groningen.
The goal of this funding measure is to offer all students, doctoral candidates, postdoctoral researchers and professors at both universities a variety of networking opportunities within the framework of low-threshold funding formats. For example, virtual and/or hybrid colloquia, joint conferences and workshops, faculty visits, short-term get-to-know-you formats, participation in PhD days, PhD career days, PhD technical courses and much more can be applied for easily and without bureaucracy.
This mobility programme is made possible by the ‘A Programme for Excellence’ initiative, which is funded by the Lower Saxony Ministry of Science and Culture and the VolkswagenStiftung.
These funds can be used to finance particularly large events.
Who can participate?
The programme is aimed at all faculties of the University of Oldenburg.
Researchers at PhD level and above are invited to plan a funding application with colleagues from the University of Groningen. Applications must be submitted via a university lecturer at the University of Oldenburg.
Duration and Funding
Travel and accommodation costs as well as material resources will be funded up to a maximum amount of €5,000.
Application
The deadline for applications is 31 May 2026 for projects with a funding period starting on 1 July 2026.
Please submit your application in electronic form via the application portal.
In a selection meeting after the end of the application period, the selection committee will decide on the funding applications received. Applicants will be informed of the decision as soon as possible.
Brown Bag-Talks
The Brown Bag Talks programme aims to further promote networking among students, doctoral candidates, postdoctoral researchers, researchers and science management at the Oldenburg and Groningen university locations.
The Brown Bag Talks funding line supports lecture formats (digital or in person). The aim of the funding is to bring innovative ideas to the university in the form of lectures. The sessions are held within a time frame of one hour. The focus is primarily on the subsequent discussion and exchange of opinions.
This funding programme is made possible by the ‘A Programme for Excellence’ initiative, which is funded by the Lower Saxony Ministry of Science and Culture and the Volkswagen Foundation.
Who can participate?
The programme is open to all faculties. Researchers at PhD level and above, as well as research managers, are invited to submit a funding application
Only members of the University of Oldenburg are eligible to apply.
Duration and Funding
The following are eligible for funding
- Material resources
- Funds for assistants.
A maximum of 1,000.00 Euro can be applied for per event.
Application
Applications for funding can be submitted at any time.
Please submit your application in electronic form via the application portal.
A selection panel will decide on the funding applications received. Applicants will be informed of the decision as soon as possible.
Job shadowing
Job shadowing is a self-organised residency programme that aims to familiarise participants with their own field of work at the University of Groningen (RUG). This may involve visits to administrative units, faculties, library systems or computer centres, for example.
You accompany the daily work in your field of activity at the RUG and gain valuable experience for your work at the University of Oldenburg through this internship. Job shadowing allows you and your colleagues at the partner university to establish international contacts, learn about other working approaches and share new ideas with the UOL team.
This mobility programme is made possible by the ‘A Programme for Excellence’ initiative, which is funded by the Lower Saxony Ministry of Science and Culture and the VolkswagenStiftung.
Who can participate?
All technical and administrative staff who wish to expand their international expertise and develop professionally and personally are eligible to participate. Employees whose position accounts for at least 50% of regular working hours are eligible to apply.
University staff from the following areas, for example, are eligible for funding:
- General and technical administration
- Library
- Faculties
- Finance
- Human resources
- Public relations
Advantages of Job Shadowing
- Professional exchange and new perspectives
- Strengthening of social and, where applicable, language skills
- Expansion and deepening of networks
Duration and Financing
Stays abroad usually last one working week, but can also be planned for shorter or longer periods.
Funding can be applied for to cover travel and accommodation costs. Reimbursement is made in accordance with the Lower Saxony Travel Expenses Regulation (NRKVO). University staff with disabilities or chronic illnesses can also apply for additional funding. Parallel funding for similar costs from other EU programmes is not permitted.
Language Skills
Although our Dutch colleagues often speak excellent German, you must have the relevant language skills in English, and preferably also in Dutch. You can register for the continuing education programme on the PEOE.IP portal, which includes English courses at various levels. Dutch courses at various levels are offered by the Language Centre Niederländisch // Universität Oldenburg and also by VHS Oldenburg Sprachen – VHS Oldenburg.
Application
The application deadline is 31 May 2026 for job shadowing stays from 1 July 2026.
Please submit your proposal in electronic form via the application portal.
A selection committee will decide on the funding applications received at a selection meeting after the end of the call period. Applicants will be informed of the decision as soon as possible.
Conference and research trips for students
The university finances conference and research trips for students to give them the opportunity to gain experience in academia and present their own initial results. The central support services are to be significantly expanded in order to give students an insight into academic appointments, enable them to gain experience at (inter)national level and build networks at an early stage. Based on the success of the "forschen@studium" programme, a similar service is to be continued and expanded in a modified form. This includes the opportunity to apply for short stays for research purposes or to take part in specialised courses at other universities or similar.