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/examine doctoral candidates can apply for funding for a doctoral position, which is funded for two years by the UOL (one year from the "Programme for Excellence", one year by the applicant) 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 centralised funding for these two years. The financing of the two-year stay in Groningen must be provided in full by the respective PI there or the corresponding Groningen School. A prerequisite for the application is therefore a signed letter of intent confirming that the financing of these two years in Groningen is secured. The doctoral projects are intended to systematically expand international research activities to all Schools of the UOL and result in joint research projects financed by third-party funds. A connection to the fields of action of the roadmap or to the clusters of excellence or areas of potential should also be recognisable.
The application deadline is 30 November 2026 for a Double Doctorate with a funding period from 01.04.2027. Further information and instructions on how to apply will be provided in the coming weeks.
Duration and Funding
Starting in 2026, the Presidential Board of the University of Oldenburg will ideally provide each school with funding for one doctoral position at 100% E13 TV-L for one year or 50% E13 TV-L for two years. The funding format will be re-advertised in 2027 and 2028 and, most likely, beyond.
Application Procedure
The programme is open to all faculties.
The deadline for applications is 30 November 2026 for a double doctorate with a funding period starting on 1 April 2027.
Further information and guidance on the application process will be provided in the coming weeks.
Evaluation criteria
- Potential of the planned cooperation beyond the duration of the measure
- Feasibility of the planned project with visible results (workshops, publications, draft proposals)
- Added value for cooperation between the two universities.
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
- Stay based on a coordinated programme
- Professional exchange and new perspectives
- Strengthening of social and, where applicable, language skills
- Expansion and deepening of networks
- Each participant receives a certificate of participation
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.