The OpenEU Alliance invites PhD candidates from our partner universities to apply for short research stays at another OpenEU institution. These stays, lasting 1 to 3 months, must take place in 2027. The program is designed to foster networking and collaboration across the alliance, with additional calls expected 1–2 times per year.  

Each OpenEU university has publicized a list of research topics/subjects/areas/laboratories where it expects that it will be able to offer advice/collaboration to incoming PhD candidates in the context of such short stays. Please review these lists before applying (see this link).

Ready to expand your research network? Submit your expression of interest today!

Eligibility and selection process

Eligibility requirements

To apply, you must:

• Be a PhD candidate at an OpenEU Alliance partner university. PhD candidates in joint programmes of the OpenEU Alliance universities are also eligible.
• Provide a motivation letter outlining your visit objectives.
• Include a letter of endorsement from your PhD supervisor(s).
• Submit a CV detailing your academic background and research experience.
• Hold a citizenship or a valid residence permit from an eligible country under the Erasmus+ Programme.

Selection criteria

A panel of OpenEU representatives, coordinated by the Work Package 4 Board (responsible for doctoral education and research training), will evaluate applications based on:

• The clarity and relevance of your visit objectives, alongside your supervisor’s endorsement.
• The capacity of the host institution to accommodate the research visit and the stated objectives with appropriate supervision (i.e., host faculty mentor). 
• Diversity and balance among selected candidates, considering factors such as institution, PhD progress, and gender.

Selection process

University Review: Each university reviews and ranks its applicants (for stays at other OpenEU universities) or excludes them from the current round.

Final Ratification: The ranked list is submitted to the WP4 Board for final approval.

For 2027, each university will host up to 5 students from other OpenEU universities.

Other details

Available funding for each mobility will be calculated based on the actual duration of the mobility (between 1 and 3 months) and the host destination, using the Erasmus+ mobility tables as a reference; students are advised to consult with the person or the department co-ordinating the doctoral stays at their home university for details:

• UOC (Universitat Oberta de Catalunya)

Email: openeu@uoc.edu 

• UAb (Universidade Aberta)

Contact: Ana Nunes

Email: AnaS.Nunes@uab.pt 

• OUC (Open University of Cyprus)

Contact: Jahna Otterbacher

Email: jahna.otterbacher@ouc.ac.cy 

• DU (Daugavpils University)

Contact: Liene Briede

Email: liene.briede@du.lv 

• FernU (FernUniversität in Hagen)

Contact: Mareike Weiß

Email: mareike.weiss@fernuni-hagen.de 

• HOU (Hellenic Open University)

Contact: Magda Spella

Email: mspella@eap.gr 

• OUNL (Open Universiteit Nederland)

Contact: Katreine Blomme

Email: Katreine.Blomme@ou.nl 

• UNED (National University of Distance Education)

Contact: Noa Talaván

Email: subdireccion@doctorado.uned.es 

• UVT (St. Cyril and St. Methodius University of Veliko Tarnovo)

Contact: Silviya Hristova

Email: s.hristova@ts.uni-vt.bg 

Application procedure

To express your interest, please apply by 31 December 2026, at the link below: Application Form 

Pre-selected candidates will be notified on 15 January 2027. Appeals to the pre-selection results can be submitted by 20 January 2027 to the contact persons listed above. Selected candidates will be notified upon the publication of the final resolution by 22 January 2027.

Duration and timing of the stay

• Applicants are required to indicate tentative dates for the proposed doctoral stay in their application. The final dates will be agreed with the host university once the stay has been approved and the participation of the selected candidates has been confirmed.
• Applicants should therefore ensure that the proposed dates are indicative and sufficiently flexible, as the exact timing of the stay will need to be coordinated with the host institution.
• Please note that all doctoral stays must start no later than 30 November 2027.

We look forward to building a vibrant, collaborative PhD community!

OpenEU, the pan-European open university, brings together eight leading European open and distance universities and two on-campus universities engaged in digital transformation to become the European Universities Initiative’s main asset for accessing, using, and exploring digital education knowledge and knowhow in the EHEA.

More about the project www.openeu.eu

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