phd funding netherlands

Funding & Financial Support

Once admitted to the PhD programme Wageningen University & Research (WUR) offers an education backpack of 3500 EUR to PhD candidates that are formally admitted to the PhD programme (approved TSP and Project proposal in prep or approved) and will defend their thesis at Wageningen University & Research.

There are many places where one can apply for funding to finance a PhD. Please check the webpages of these funders for up-to-date information on calls.

Erasmus+ travel fellowships available for Wageningen PhD candidates

Erasmus+ fellowships can be used to contribute to the costs for travel and stay, for example for travel to attend a PhD course or to visit to a research group at a university or scientific institute in Europe. The fellowships may be used in combination with other, non-EU, travel fellowships such as the travel fellowships of your graduate school.

Erasmus distinguishes visits 1 - 60 days and visits from 60 days – one year. Budgets for travel and stay vary per visited country.

Should you be interested in receiving one of these fellowships for your visit, please contact [email protected] or phone one of the contact persons at the student exchange office.

Organisations with various funding opportunities:

• NWO (Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research)
• The European Commission
• International Foundation for Science
• KNAW (Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences)
• NUFFIC (Netherlands organization for international cooperation in higher education)
• Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) PhD Funding

Search engines for grants

• SCIENCE Funding search machine
• FinAid: The SmartStudent Guide to Financial Aid
• Postgraduate Studentships
• Wageningen University & Research funds site offers an overview of all the funds connected to Wageningen University & Research and of all available subsidies.
• Wageningen University & Research has also listed a variety of funding sources and search options to facilitate finding funds for specific issues, such as grants for the printing of dissertations and travelling and postings abroad. Click here for more detailed information.

Tuition per PhD category

Thesis printing.

PhD candidates who graduate at our university will be compensated for the printing costs of the thesis. The compensation covers the printing costs for the required number of copies of the dissertation to a maximum € 1250 euro. The compensation is provided by the relevant chair group. If you have questions please contact the secretary of the chair group involved.

PhD scholarships

A PhD cannot be completed without adequate financing. If you are appointed a position at Erasmus University Rotterdam, in most cases your finances are already taken care of.  In some cases, however, you will need to write and submit grant proposals, in order to gain funding for (part of) your project. Also, you might want to write grant proposals for the period after finishing the thesis (especially if you are pursuing an academic career), for congress visits or international collaborations. On this page, you can find see which grants are available depending on your country of origin. 

In the Netherlands, research is financed mainly by the government, industrial organisations or others, for example certain foundations. Three funding categories (“geldstromen”) are recognised:

• The first category consists of 2 billion Euros provided by the government. This funding has to be shared by all universities.
• The second category also consists of 2 billion Euros, and is also provided by the government, but is not directly dedicated to the universities. Different organisations, like the KNAW and the NWO, have the responsibility for distributing this funding by providing grants.
• The third category consists of external funding from, for example Europe, companies, foundations or private companies.
• More about funding
• More about funding for PhD's

Go directly to:

• Indonesia – LPDP PhD scholarship
• Mexico – CONACyT PhD scholarship
• People’s Republic of China – CSC PhD scholarship
• Taiwan – EUR PhD scholarship

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Ph.D scholarships in Netherlands for International students 2024-2025

Find Ph.D scholarships for international students to study in Netherlands 2024-2025.

Erasmus University Rotterdam ERIM PhD Program 2024

Applications to the ERIM PhD Programme for the next available intake (new academic year) are fully electronic and are made available in Fall (November) every year. The application deadline is mid-January. The processing of applications begins mid-January/February, and applicants are advised of

Published: 27 Nov 2023 Type: PhD Study in: Netherlands Deadline: 15 Jan 2024

Utrecht University, Netherlands 2022 PhD International Positions in Mathematical Foundations of Large Evolving Networks

Large networks are one of the most popular but least understood objects studied in modern mathematics. They owe their popularity to numerous applications in physics, biology, computer and social sciences; however, the mathematical foundations of large networks are still being actively developed. One

Published: 01 Sep 2022 Type: PhD Study in: Netherlands Deadline: 19 Sep 2022

Utrecht University, Netherlands 2022 PhD International Position in Network Science

  Are you interested in developing network science methods and applying them to real-world data? Apply for a PhD position at the Department of Methodology and Statistics of Utrecht University! You will be working on questions such as: how can networks help us understand and predict social sy

Published: 06 Jul 2022 Type: PhD Study in: Netherlands Deadline: 15 Jul 2022

Utrecht University 2022 PhD International Scholarships in High-resolution Water Resource Modeling, Netherlands

As part of the European project SOS-WATER, we are looking for an enthusiastic PhD candidate who is interested in applying hydrological models to make novel high resolution water simulations over the European continent.  Water scarcity, water quality degradation and the loss of freshwater bio

Published: 13 Jun 2022 Type: PhD Study in: Netherlands Deadline: 30 Jun 2022

University of Groningen 2022 International PhD Scholarships in Smoking During Pregnancy, Netherlands

Smoking is one of the most important preventable risk factors for adverse pregnancy outcomes and, yet, it is common among women with a low socio-economic status (SES). In 2018, 16% of low-educated women in the Netherlands smoked during pregnancy compared to only 3% of high-educated women. As high-in

Published: 13 Jun 2022 Type: PhD Study in: Netherlands Deadline: 27 Jun 2022

University of Groningen 2022 PhD Scholarships in Human-robot Interactions in Regional Language, Netherlands

Recent advances of AI and speech technology have led to important steps in the development of (social) robots. The current generation of robots has the ability to connect with their user on a social level and to engage in spoken interactions. One important advantage of robots is versatility in langu

Published: 30 May 2022 Type: PhD Study in: Netherlands Deadline: Not Specified

Utrecht University in Netherlands 2022 PhD International Positions in Particle Physics

This PhD project is part of the A Large Ion Collider Experiment  external link(ALICE) programme in which high-energy collisions of heavy lead ions are used to create and study the high-temperature state of the strong interaction: the quark-gluon plasma (QGP). ALICE is one of the exper

Published: 04 May 2022 Type: PhD Study in: Netherlands Deadline: 31 May 2022

Erasmus University (RSM) 2022 Postdoctoral International Positions in Netherlands for Fellowship

If you have experience in supporting researchers with preparing collaborative grant proposals, then you must check out the Collaboration Grant Advisor Position offered in the Netherlands at the Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University (RSM) for the academic year 2022-2023. All inte

Published: 25 Apr 2022 Type: PhD Study in: Netherlands Deadline: 08 May 2022

Erasmus Universiteit Rotterdam 2022 International PhD in Senior Friendly Care Trajectories, Netherlands Scholarships ???????

Scholarship give promising students an approach to their education regardless of their financial circumstances. Therefore, the Erasmus University Rotterdam is providing the PhD Positions in the Netherlands. The research will be conducted in the province of Zeeland in close collaboration with heal

Published: 09 Mar 2022 Type: PhD Study in: Netherlands Deadline: 14 Mar 2022

Netherlands Institute for Advanced Study in the Humanities and Social Sciences (NIAS) 2022 Individual Fellowships

NIAS offers individual fellowships to scholars who wish to carry out research in the humanities and the social sciences. For five or ten months, scholars are offered the time and space to work on a topic of their own choice. Both scholars based in the Netherlands and scholars based abroad can apply

Published: 04 Mar 2022 Type: PhD Study in: Netherlands Deadline: 15 Mar 2022

Radboud University 2021 Two PhD Candidates in Experimental Astroparticle Physics

Within the context of the Pierre Auger Collaboration, the High Energy Astroparticle Physics Department of the Institute for Mathematics, Astrophysics and Particle Physics (IMAPP) (Faculty of Science, Radboud University, Netherlands) is looking for two PhD candidates. The Pierre Auger Observatory

Published: 15 Jul 2021 Type: PhD Study in: Netherlands Deadline: 31 Oct 2021

Utrecht Unniversity 2021 PhD Scholarship in Inorganic Chemistry and Catalysis

Decades of polymer engineering have led to various plastic materials with a variety of tuneable properties and applications. Considerably less effort has gone into strategies on how to deal with the waste created. The majority of plastic waste is landfilled, burned, or leaks to the environment. Unfo

Published: 08 Jul 2021 Type: PhD Study in: Netherlands Deadline: 31 Jul 2021

Fully-funded Erasmus University Rotterdam 2021 ERIM International PhD Position in Climate Risk and Sustainable Investing

ERIM International Fully-funded PhD Position in Climate Risk and Sustainable Investing is offered for PhD degree in the field of Climate Risk and Sustainable Investing.  The deadline for the sending your application is 20 Jun 2021. This scholarship is provided by Erasmus University Rotterdam an

Published: 09 Jun 2021 Type: PhD Study in: Netherlands Deadline: 20 Jun 2021

Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (VU) 2020 PhD Scholarships Drought Risk in East Africa

Are you interested in how drought risk of rural communities in East Africa is related to climate and societal drivers? Then we would like to get to know you. Please apply at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam. We are happy to announce that at IVM – VU Amsterdam we have 2 PhD vacancies r

Published: 17 Jun 2020 Type: PhD Study in: Netherlands Deadline: 25 Jun 2020

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Funding Opportunities

There is a variety of resources available depending on the support from either the Netherlands or your home country. The list below is not exhaustive and we encourage you to research your own funding options. You may also contact the Graduate School or research institute that covers your discipline. They will be able to advise you on the most relevant grant/scholarship providers in your specialist field. Once you have completed your PhD, you may also be able to apply for a grant to pursue an academic career after graduation. The Grants Office of IXA-GO at VU Amsterdam helps researchers find their way through the jungle of schemes and funds available for research funding. IXA-GO offers support in the search for and writing of research grants and provides administrative and legal support throughout the full cycle of research grants. Employees and PhD candidates of VU Amsterdam can also use the database "Research Connect" to search for subsidy possibilities.

Funding opportunities

General scholarship resources.

• Nuffic grant finder

Dutch grant/scholarship providers

• NWO PhDs in the Humanities
• NWO Doctoral Grant Teachers

European grant/scholarship providers

• Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions
• La Caixa Foundation , Spain
• Bolashak scholarship , Kazakhstan

US grant/scholarship providers

• Fullbright Scholarship
• Direct Financial Loan (Financial aid for US students)

Asia Pacific, Africa and Latin America grants/scholarship providers

Asia Pacific

• ASTAR Graduate Academy and National Science Scholarship at Agency for Science, Technology and Research , Singapore
• NESO , India

African continent

• Oppenheimer Memorial Trust
• FirstRand Dippenaar Scholarship
• NRF-Nuffic Programme , South Africa

Latin America

• Colfuturo , Colombia
• Conacyt , Mexico

China Scholarship Council

The China Scholarship Council (CSC) provides scholarships for outstanding Chinese master's students, recent graduates and young (academic) professionals who want to do either a full-time PhD programme or a part of their PhD programme at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam.

If you are a prospective CSC candidate this page will help you understand the application process and requirements for doing a PhD at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam.

Eligibility

Who is eligible for the CSC Scholarship:

• Full PhD candidates:  selected Chinese candidates can enrol as a PhD candidate at 6 of our 9 faculties at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam. PLEASE NOTE that we are not accepting application for the Faculty of Science (BETA), Faculty of Dentistry (ACTA) or Faculty of Medicine (Amsterdam UMC). For a full PhD the scholarship covers a max. of 48 months of research.  Upon the successful completion of all requirements of the trajectory and defense, candidates will be conferred a degree by Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam.
• Visiting or joint PhD candidates:  selected Chinese candidates can enrol as a PhD candidate at 6 of our 9 faculties at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam. As a visiting or joint PhD candidate your stay at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam can be of a max. 24 months. Candidates are to return to their home institutions in China for their dissertation defense upon completion of their research visit at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam.

Which faculty?

The eligible faculties for CSC candidates are listed below:

• Faculty of Humanities
• School of Business and Economics
• Faculty of Behavioural and Movement Sciences
• Faculty of Social Sciences
• Faculty of Law
• Faculty of Religion and Theology

Application

The scholarship includes:

• Exemption from registration fee, tuition fee, research fee and other allowances as specified in the Memorandum of Understanding with the China Scholarship Council and Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (link to the MoU)
• Living allowance of € 1350 per month (including health insurance)
• International airfare (China – Amsterdam)

The living allowances will be paid via CSC. Chinese Service Centre for Scholarly Exchange will book the tickets for the departure from Beijing, and the Chinese Embassy in the Netherlands will book the return tickets.

Requirements

• Candidates are citizens and permanent residents of the People’s Republic of China at the time of application.
• Doctoral candidates must have a Master’s degree and be under the age of 35.
• Academic requirements are set by each faculty/department, however standard requirements for all PhD candidates are successful completion of a Masters degree and a good level of English: IELTS (academic): 6.5 overall - Most programmes do not accept subscores below 6.0. TOEFL Internet-based test: 92.
• In accordance with the CSC regulations, candidates must return to China upon completion of their research.

The current CSC scholarship allowance of € 1350 per month is lower than the Dutch income requirements to obtain a visa to the Netherlands. Please be aware that you will need to show proof of personal finances to cover the difference between your scholarship and the income requirements.

Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam has limited housing options available for all degree students and doctoral candidates. Once you have been accepted by the CSC, we will contact you on how to apply. You can find more information on housing here .

Immigration:

Once you have been selected as a CSC scholar at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam we will contact you regarding submitting your visa application. You can find more information about the process and requirements here .

How to apply?

Your first step is to identify a potential supervisor. All Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam professors can be found here . You can contact a supervisor based on their research expertise and how it aligns with your PhD research proposal. Each supervisor will conduct their own interviews and assessment of your candidacy. If you are successful in obtaining support from a supervisor, they will support your CSC application by providing a conditional offer letter. The letter is conditional upon receipt of a CSC scholarship. Once you have obtained the letter, the supervisor will contact the International Office who will issue a conditional offer letter from the institution (Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam). You can use both letters in your application to the CSC.

If you prefer that we help facilitate the contact to a professor, you may submit an application form and we will make contact on your behalf. Please note that your application form must include the following:

• Your Research Proposal
• The name of your preferred supervisor

Application timeline

Memorandum of Understanding

In 2019, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam signed a  Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the China Scholarship Council (CSC) . Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam and the CSC collaborate to provide high quality research training to qualified students and postdoctoral fellows from Chinese universities. They prioritize support in the following areas of study: Environment, Medicine, Life- and Neuroscience, Biomedical Sciences and Public Health, Economics, Business, Law, International studies and Social Sciences.

E:  [email protected]

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PhD programmes

A PhD track consists of original scientific research under the supervision of a professor, which takes on average 4 years.

Every year, around 400 PhD candidates defend their dissertation at Leiden University, spread across all the University’s different disciplines.

A PhD track consists of original scientific research under the supervision of a professor, which takes on average 4 years. Many PhD candidates are employed by the University, but a number are subsidised by a grant that they have acquired themselves. The University also has a large number of external PhD candidates, who generally work part-time on their research. 

Every PhD candidate is enrolled in one of the University Graduate Schools.

Read more about Studying for your PhD .

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PhD research

PhD research is at the heart of what we do as a University. Around 2000 PhD candidates are involved in research and education at the UvA and around 400 doctorates are conferred each year. Two-thirds of these are in the Sciences or Medicine.

PhD vacancies

Getting your PhD at the UvA

UvA Staff Housing

This PDF brings together all kinds of information about the PhD process, from the regulations and different steps in the process to terms of employment and facilities you can make use of as a PhD candidate.

Doctoral programme: from admission to completion

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PhD at TU Delft

TU Delft is the oldest and largest technical university in the Netherlands: an institution where we perform world-class research by combining science, engineering and design in a socially responsible manner. As a PhD candidate at TU Delft, you will have the opportunity to conduct in-depth (paid) research in your chosen field. With this degree you will definitely have impact for a better society. Welcome to TU Delft Graduate School!

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Fee & funding.

If you have a scholarship, please mention this on your application. External funding possibilities can be explored together with a supervisor. Occasionally, openings for paid PhD positions at the Maastricht Graduate School of Law are advertised on Academic Transfer .

Useful resources to explore the opportunities for funding your PhD:

• The Netherlands organisation for international cooperation in higher education NUFFIC gives practical information on living and studying in the Netherlands.
• The NUFFIC grantfinder is an online database listing funding opportunities.
• The NUFFIC Neso desk focuses on Indian students.
• The China Scholarship Council offers financial assistance to Chinese citizens wishing to study abroad.
• The Fullbright Center offers scholarships for US citizens.

We do not charge a tuition fee for trajectories that start after 1 January 2023.

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Full-Time PhD

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Fully-funded PhD positions

Salary and Benefits

In the Netherlands, appointed PhD candidates are considered employees of the university and therefore no tuition fee is charged. This also means that our PhD vacancies are fully-funded and salaried positions. Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement of Dutch Universities (CAO).

The starting monthly salary for PhD candidates is € 2770,- in year 1, € 3226,- in year 2, € 3377,- in year 3, and € 3539,- in year 4 and 5 (all mentioned figures are gross and fixed amounts). Successful candidates are appointed on a full-time basis for a total of 4 or 5 years, depending on the project further extensions are possible. Candidates' performance is evaluated after 18 months and if positive, the contract is extended for additional 2.5 years.

Working at the Erasmus University Rotterdam means working in a professional environment, where development is encouraged through an active career and mobility policy. The Erasmus University Rotterdam highly appreciates flexibility and offers a 38-hour workweek, flexible working hours, maternal/paternal leave, holiday allowance, end of year bonus etc. Moreover, the University has a company childcare scheme, possibilities to participate in a terms of employment option model, company savings program and life insurance schemes and favourable collective insurance schemes. Employees can also make use of facilities such as sports facilities and the library. For more information about the employment conditions please visit the dedicated page on the EUR-website .

Furthermore, PhD candidates also benefit from the state-of-the-art research facilities and financial support programme (ESP-ERIM Support Programme), which ERIM has set up a for a wide range of research-related activities like conference participation and visits, international job market visits, external courses, scientific and educational literature, working visits to international supervisors, international research study/visit, etc.

External Funding

Most of ERIM's PhD positions are directly financed by internal funding from Erasmus University Rotterdam. However, it is also possible to pursue a PhD at ERIM by obtaining external funding such as a personal grant, a company financed project or a special (personal) scholarship fund.

In all cases, whether internally or externally financed, applicants must always meet ERIM's admission requirements in order to enter the ERIM doctoral programme (without any exceptions). Please note that ERIM's admission requirements may differ from those of grant providers and other external project financers, thus securing an external grant does not automatically imply an acceptance to ERIM's Doctoral Programme.

Note: ERIM is not responsible for external grants, so for any questions regarding external funding please contact the external grant providers.

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PhD programme

Celebrating 250 ISS PhD graduates

The stories and knowledge of our doctoral alumni

The International Institute of Social Studies (ISS) offers a four-year programme leading to an internationally recognized degree. 

Our PhD researchers work on topics in the field of global development and social justice based on a strong theoretical footing and using cutting-edge qualitative and quantitative methods.

Providing a creative environment for critically-minded and independent scholars

The ISS’s aim is to provide a creative and lively  environment for  critically minded and independent scholars to contribute to positive social change, as well as global justice and equity. Many of our PhD candidates are experienced professionals with a track record in development, activism, academia and/ or public service, enriching the academic exchange with their experiences and views.

Part of our broader research programme

All PhD researchers are invited to participate in our global research programme and in at least one of the research groups:

• Civic Innovation
• Development Economics
• Political Ecology
• Governance, Law & Social Justice

Collaborative research schools

All PhD researchers at the International Institute of Social Studies are part of the CERES Research School for International Development  which offers a PhD training programme aimed at increasing the skills and knowledge required for writing a viable, implementable and academic research proposal.

They are also part of the Erasmus Graduate School of Social Sciences and the Humanities  which offers  dozens of courses  to nurture innovative and interdisciplinary research excellence.

PhD researchers 'in the driver's seat'

Researchers join a diverse and close-knit community of scholars.

At the moment, 153 PhD candidates from 49 nationalities countries are enrolled in the PhD programme. Many of them work at their own desk in the ISS building, discussing their research with their peers and supervisory team, refining their research proposal, or are in the final phase of writing their thesis. Those in the second and third years of the programme are usually away doing fieldwork, collecting original data to answer their research questions.

Our philosophy is that PhD researchers are 'in the driver’s seat' for their project, working closely with our multidisciplinary and passionate faculty engaged in global development research.

A PhD researcher’s fieldwork activities benefit from belonging to a dynamic and vibrant community,  complimented by rigorous preparation including safety and security training, access to the ISS global network along with experienced and thoughtful guidance and solid institutional support.

ISS occasionally has vacancies for fully-funded PhD candidates, and takes part in several scholarship programmes. However, ISS does not have a scholarship programme of its own, and most PhD candidates organize their own funding , through their government, a foundation, or self-funding.

Candidates find that the PhD trajectory provides them with space to reflect on their experiences and that the degree opens opportunities to continue or change their career path.

PhD researchers speak

Current and past PhD researchers tell us why they decided to do their PhD at ISS.

The dissertation writing exercise was probably the best thing that I ever did in my life.

'Grounded ... in the art of doing independent academic and policy relevant research ...'

Interesting things will only happen if you're willing to listen

International opportunities with our PhD degree 

Contact the PhD team

If you have any questions about doing your PhD at the International Institute of Social Studies, please contact the PhD support team.

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Aljawaz Your guide to study abroad

Phd in the netherlands for international students.

Herilalao Study in Netherlands Leave a comment

Pursuing a PhD in the Netherlands is an attractive prospect for many international students. The Netherlands is known for its progressive higher education system, with top universities, research institutes and industry partners. With a diverse range of research opportunities, excellent facilities and an open and welcoming environment, international students can benefit from a unique and rewarding experience. 

The Netherlands also offers financial support for PhD students, making it an attractive destination for those looking to further their studies. With an excellent quality of life and a vibrant cultural atmosphere, the Netherlands is the perfect place to take the next step in your academic journey.

Table of Contents

Is it worth doing a PhD in the Netherlands?

In the field of education, the Netherlands has an impressive reputation. And numerous benefits make it the ultimate destination for students seeking an international PhD experience. 

Some of the reasons to study in Holland include: 

• Outstanding graduate schools 
• Wide range of research programs 
• Excellent research facilities and world-class universities with 10 of the top Dutch universities being in the top 200 international ranking.
• Most PhD candidates get a paid contract as university employees.
• Top ranked worldwide when it comes to the number of publication per researcher (2nd) and the impact of research publication (4th)

And there is the accreditation. Usually, it’s up to the university to grant the degree and ensure the quality and content of each student’s doctoral training. However, when it comes to the quality of the PhD process, the Netherlands and Flemish Accreditation Organization ( NVAO ) is in charge of ensuring you earn a worthy degree.  

Structure of a PhD in the Netherlands

The Netherlands being part of the European Higher Education Area, a PhD program in the country accounts for a third-cycle qualification. The doctoral research then focuses on a specific topic and ends up with a thesis that presents the student’s results and conclusions. 

Moreover, like in any research work, students will work closely with a supervisor to oversee their doctorate and approve their thesis for submission. Supervision involves progress check, review points among other things. Students also can have a co-supervisor if needed. 

Is a PhD in the Netherlands paid?  

The answer is yes. Most doctorate candidates in the Netherlands have the status of professional researchers. In other words, they get a salary during their doctorate and in return they’ll have various tasks as researchers and to contribute to the university’s academic work and operation, such as teaching, and some administrative responsibilities. 

Students can find most PhD positions listed on job boards, on universities’ notice boards, or in scientific journals. 

How long does it take to do a PhD in the Netherlands?

Doing a PhD in the Netherlands requires you spend a minimum of 4 years to conduct research and write your dissertation. This is due to the employee status of the doctorate candidate, which require them to ensure other bonus tasks along with their research work. 

In the case the doctoral candidate is not associated to a university, like for an external candidate, it will take longer to complete the PhD degree. 

Dutch PhD defense ceremony

To defend your PhD thesis the Dutch way, there is a protocol you need to follow to the letter. As a matter of fact, the PhD defense in the Netherlands is not an examination but rather a ceremony. It serves the same purpose as a viva voce examination but with a more formal process in front of a traditionally dressed committee!

During this unique ceremony, the student also wears a full academic dress and uses formal titles. Moreover, the protocol stipulates what happens at each step, what the student should say at the beginning and how they should address their opponents. An officer of the university, a beadle, opens and closes the ceremony using a ceremonial staff. 

The doctoral committee consists of at least 3 academics. They are there to assess the student’s thesis and determine if it’s worthy of a doctorate. It may include a professor – a ‘most learned opponent’, or a post-doctorate academic, a ‘learned opponent’. Other invited individuals can also ask questions to the student. 

Another distinctive traits of the thesis defense in the Netherlands is the fact that students can have 2 supporters to accompany them. They served in the old days as “bodyguards” in case things got heated. Nowadays, they are more of a moral support and a practical assistance.

Lastly, PhD candidates need to publish their thesis as a book before the defense ceremony takes place. 

How to apply for a PhD position in the Netherlands?

PhD’s candidates in the Netherlands are part of the academic staff of a research school or a graduate school. Research schools consists of partnerships between several research universities and institutes. Graduate schools on the other hands are organizations within universities. However, only research universities and in some cases research institutes can award PhD degrees. 

Application can be done 2 ways: either you apply for an advertised PhD program or you submit your own research proposal. If you see a PhD position that interests you, contact the university directly to inquire about the application procedure. 

In the case you have a specific proposal but can’t find a vacancy that matches your intended project, the process is to pitch your idea to universities or research groups who work in the relevant field and able to provide the funding you need. 

Admission requirements 

The criteria for admission to doctoral positions are rigorous. And prospective candidates must have a strong background in theory and practices in their field. They also must have a master’s degree in a relevant subject area. International students must ensure their master is recognized in the Netherlands. 

To check a degree equivalency, you can go either on the website of the Dutch Organization for Internationalization in Education (Nuffic) or check with your choice university. Furthermore, since most international candidates choose to write their thesis in English, they need also need to provide a proof of a good command of the English language. (TOEFL or IELTS scores in most cases). 

Additional entry requirements vary depending on the research subject and the university. 

Check also our guide on how to apply to universities in the Netherlands .

How much does a PhD cost in Netherlands?

Since PhD students are university employees who receive a salary, many Dutch doctoral programs apply no tuition fees. At least not in the literal sense. However, some universities may charge statutory fees for the enrollment, supervision, examination, administration or access to the research facilities of the institution. 

Each university is free to decide how much fees they charge. Usually, this varies depending on the institution, the discipline of study, the cost of lab equipment etc.

Netherlands PhD funding

In the Netherlands, there are 3 ways to fund your doctoral studies: 

• Through an employment contract with your research university or institute
• With a fellowship or grant 
• With a sponsorship from an employer

The first option is the most common. Moreover, around 17% of PhD candidates get a funding from a fellowship or grant from abroad. These organizations offering grants can be found on the website of Euraxess . The last option is to study for your PhD part-time while working. In this case, your employer provides the necessary funding for your doctorate. 

Read also our guide on the scholarships in the Netherlands .

Netherlands PhD visa

EU/EEA/Swiss nationals do not require any visa for a PhD study in Holland. Non-EU/EEA citizens on the other hand need to arrange for a long-stay entry visa. Usually, your host university should offer you assistance for your application. If this is not the case, don’t hesitate to get in touch with the university’s international office or HR department. You’ll be able to collect your entry visa at a Dutch embassy or consulate in your home country.

Moreover, they also need to apply for a residence permit for study purpose from the Dutch Immigration and Naturalization Service (IND). And lastly, upon your arrival in the Netherlands, you absolutely need to register with the local council of residence. This serves as a registration in the Personal Records Database (BRP) in order to get a Citizen Service Number (BSN). 

Get more details in our article on the student visa in the Netherlands .

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PhD in Netherlands: Top Universities in Netherlands for PhD, Scholarships for International Students, Cost of Studying PhD and Job Opportunities

PhD education Netherlands is a general choice for many international students looking to tap into this culture of open-mindedness, modernization and international exchange of ideas. Doing a PhD in the Netherlands permits international students to conduct autonomous research in the field of study under the supervision of skilled faculty at the university. At the end of research for a PhD in Netherlands, students present their paper or thesis in front of a panel of experts.

The majority of PhD students in the Netherlands have an employment contract with the institution where they will be conducting their research. A PhD in Netherlands for Indian students lasts for a minimum of 4 years. This is comparatively due to the employment status as a doctoral researcher and the additional teaching and directorial responsibilities. So, in this blog, we will be deliberating PhD programs in Netherlands, PhD scholarships in the Netherlands and much more about PhD education Netherlands.

Why Study PhD Programs in Netherlands?

All PhD programs in Netherlands are part of a graduate school or research school. Research schools are partnerships between multiple research universities and research institutes, while graduate schools are organised within universities. The following benefits of PhD in Holland are:

• Coursework is Limited: PhD Education Netherlands is a research-only program. Some universities in Netherlands for PhD have started doctoral schools, which require students to take several courses. Some of these courses are linked to:
• research skills
•  others are associated with preferred field of study.
•   Dutch PhD is highly regarded: Study PhD in Netherlands is highly regarded because of the high academic standards. Once your thesis is permitted for publication, students will attend the event of their research and be awarded the PhD at a rite immersed in tradition.
• People Treat their PhD Like a Job: International students who apply for PhD in Netherlands treat their PhD like a job with comparatively steady hours. It may also be a requirement that you are in your office between firm blocks of time. University buildings incline to have opening and closing hours.
• You Are a University Employee: Getting hired as a university employee is relatively common when your PhD is funded by a research project. There are many benefits to being hired as a university employee, including employee protection, social security, building up retirement savings etc.

Top Universities in Netherlands for PhD

A doctoral program in the Netherlands is a research-focused third-cycle qualification, as defined by the Bologna process. There are various universities offering PhD programs in Netherlands, and some of them are:

•       University of Amsterdam
•       University of Groningen
•       Maastricht University
•       Radboud University
•       Leiden University
•       Delft University of Technology

So, these are some of the universities in Netherlands for PhD programs, Let’s know it in detail.

1. University of Amsterdam

The University of Amsterdam’s thriving PhD program provides the excellent groundwork for engaging in high-quality teaching and research. Research accepted by the UvA’s academic community ranks among the best globally. The university seeks to bid on an inspiring international educational environment where staff and international students can optimally advance their talents.

2. University of Groningen

The Groningen Graduate School bids an excellent program for postgraduate study at the University of Groningen. The students are offered a comprehensive PhD training program, including the career outlooks series, which helps students prepare for further career opportunities. The researchers will receive professional guidance from their promotor and supervisor. 

3. Maastricht University

At Maastricht University, PhD students are respected as full-fledged research community members. There are three ways to get a PhD degree at the university, i.e., enrol in a PhD training program, apply for a paid PhD position, obtain external funding, & pitch your idea. The PhD programs mainly focus on education, training and supervision to empower students to become excellent researchers. They will also have the opportunity to progress a broad range of academic skills.

4. Radboud University

The Radboud University offers varied courses for PhD students to advance scientific skills and personal effectiveness and development. The research profile of Radboud University has two primary constituents: an academic and a societal profile. The academic profile covers the academic corrections in which the university is involved and the sub-disciplines in which it excels. The societal profile covers the societal themes the university is associated with through its academic research.

5. Leiden University

It is the best university for PhD in Netherlands for international students. The Leiden University PhD program focuses on PHd students who dedicate a particular work time to scientific research on the theme of their professional practice. The centre helps them advance research plans, provide training, confirm that their study is in unity with the disciplines and graduate schools, and relates to the research of a potential supervisor.

6. Delft University of Technology

TU Delft Graduate School helps and trains doctoral students to become highly qualified, autonomous, leading researchers and skilled professionals. The PhD program is essential for preparing for the doctorate and your future career. It also ensures and enhances the growth of scientific quality along with the needed skill for interpersonal skills. After completing the PhD program, you will be awarded a Doctoral Education Certificate at the PhD Thesis Defence ceremony.

Suggested: Cheap Universities in Netherlands

Eligibility Criteria & Admission Requirements for Universities in Netherlands for PhD

To get admission to universities in Netherlands for PhD, international students need to fulfil the criteria and admission requirements. The following criteria are:

•       Master’s Degree
•       English Proficiency Test
•       Netherlands Student Visa
•       Additional Requirements

These are some of the PhD requirements Netherlands that students need to follow to get admission efficiently. Let’s know it in detail:

1. Master’s Degree

For a PhD in Netherlands, a standard necessity for PhD admission is holding a master’s degree in a relevant subject area. Due to Dutch PhD researchers’ students may also be required to experience other application processes and submit more documents than a distinctive PhD student.

2. English Proficiency Test

Being an international student, one needs to submit an English language test score to do PhD in Holland. It includes IELTS or TOEFL exam. The minimum score for the IELTS exam is 6.5, and the TOEFL minimum score is 90 (Internet Based).

3. Netherlands Student Visa

An international student who wants to do PhD in the Netherlands and outside the European Union and European Free Trade Area needs to apply for an MVV Netherlands student visa .

Documents Required for PhD in Netherlands for Indian Students

There are some essential documents required for PhD from Netherlands the following documents are:

•       Official academic transcripts including copies of secondary school diplomas and other certificates.
•       Valid Passport
•       Letter of Recommendations
•       SOP
•       Sample of academic written work
•       Updated CV (Including two references)

Application Process for Universities in Netherlands for PhD

Admission criteria for PhD positions are demanding, and potential students must have a solid background in the theory and techniques of their field and a recognised master’s degree. Admission for PhD in the Netherlands for international students involves various steps, which are discussed below:

1. Before getting enrolled for PhD in Netherlands, find a supervisor in your area of study from the college/ university that you want to apply for.

2. Once the supervisor agrees to support you as your guide for the PhD program, you will be required to submit an official application to the university.

3. After that, you may be asked to submit some essential documents, including your CV, contact details, personal statement, research proposal, transcripts and references.

4. Prepare a research proposal; it holds the key in the application process for PhD programs.

5. Submit a document of personal statement mentioning the reason for pursuing PhD program, what appeals you to the subject area and how your studies & work experience helped you to take up PhD education

6. Ensure that the references you have should be valid, as all the programs will ask for referees who can present details about your academic abilities and motivation.

7. In other cases, maybe the referee can be asked to provide a letter of reference in their own words.

Cost of Studying PhD in Holland

To study PhD in education in Netherlands includes the tuition cost & cost of living for international students.

Average Tuition Fees for PhD in Netherlands

The tuition fees will vary as per the PhD Course selected by the students to study at the top universities in the Netherlands. The average cost of studying PhD in the Netherlands is 6000 EUR - 20,000 EUR.

Cost of Living

The cost of living in Netherlands includes various expenses such as:

Suggested: Cost of Living in Netherlands

PhD Scholarships in Netherlands for International Students

For PhD scholarships in Netherlands, there are 3 ways to fund PhD studies:

1. Fellowship or Grant: Most students interested in doing a PhD from Netherlands find funding in the form of fellowship or grant. After finding a fellowship, you will need to find a supervisor at a research institution willing to support you.

2. Sponsored by your Employer: Sometimes, it happens when you can afford to study PhD part-time while working. If you and your sponsor are interested in this option, you should contact the institution of your choice.

3. Employed by an Institution: It is one of the most preferred options by a student in the Netherlands to have an employment agreement with the institution where they will be conducting their research.

Career Options after PhD in Netherlands

After completing PhD in Netherlands, international students will need to apply for an Orientation Year residence permit. The student must be registered in the Personal Records Database, have a Citizen Service Number, and pay a fee of 174 EUR to be in the country for more than one year. Apart from it, students can also apply for long term residence in the Netherlands. Some of the career options after the PhD program are:

The Netherlands holds the research achieved by its universities in high esteem, and the country and its academics have an outstanding track record in world research. As a doctoral graduate from a Dutch university, you’ll be a researcher. So if that sounds great to you, connect with our Yocket professional and get guidance for your further career aspirations.

Frequently Asked Questions about PhD in Netherlands

How long does it take to complete a PhD in the Netherlands?

It will take around 4 years to complete a full-time PhD Course in the Netherlands.

How much are PhD candidates paid in the Netherlands?

PhD candidates are usually paid 2,266 – 2,897 EUR per month.

What are the popular PhD courses to study in the Netherlands?

Some of the popular PhD courses to study are: 1. Economics 2. Business & Psychology 3. Medical Sciences 4. Social Sciences

Is PhD free in the Netherlands?

PhD students in the Netherlands are known to be “university employees” and therefore get a salary to account for their research. Therefore, there are no normal tuition fees for doctoral candidates.

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PhD Position Value-based assessment methods for AI systems

Job Information

Offer description.

Validating models is a crucial step before decisions can be made about implementation and is important for continuous monitoring of systems in use. The challenge is, however, that validation needs to happen along a range of different values that are important for AI to possess at the police: accuracy, but also fairness, reliability, trustworthiness, and more need to be ensured.

As a PhD student at TU Delft, you will conduct impactful research on two key aspects in advancing the responsible use of AI within the police force.

First, you will investigate the standards and values surrounding AI usage, particularly concerning open models. This entails defining what criteria these models must meet, beyond common considerations like bias and fairness. You will delve into various aspects beyond these to ensure a comprehensive framework. Second, you will also design methods to systematically evaluate a range of models against these established standards and values. This contribution ensures the responsible deployment of AI within the police force and maximizes the efficiency of utilizing publicly available models.

Through these efforts, you will significantly contribute to fostering an ethical and accountable AI culture within the organization.

Your project is part of the Model-Driven Decisions Lab, a Police-TU Delft initiative, where you will join an interdisciplinary community of four fellow PhD students. Together, you will share knowledge to tackle AI-assisted decision-making from different perspectives. To foster close collaboration with the stakeholders and work on practical implementation, you will spend 20% of your time at the Netherlands Police. Given the ethical and moral facets of your research, you will also work closely with colleagues of the Technology, Policy, and Management faculty (TPM). Your home base will be the Web Information Systems research group at the Computer Science faculty (EEMCS). As an internationally diverse team of driven academics and students, we cultivate a welcoming and collaborative environment. We will give you all the support and training you need to evolve both personally and professionally.

Learn more about your project at the Model-Driven Decisions Lab

Requirements

• You hold an MSc in computer science, data science, or another relevant subject, with practical machine learning/artificial intelligence courses and relevant project and thesis experience.
• You have a keen interest in human-AI interaction and explainable AI and enjoy collaborating with experts in different disciplines.
• You thrive on conducting research geared to real-world application in the security domain and are intrinsically motivated to collaborate with the Netherlands Police.
• You harness your communication skills to work with different scientific and non-scientific stakeholders in different work cultures.
• You have a good command of written and spoken English, as you will be working in an international environment. Since you will be working with the Netherlands police, it is an advantage if you also have a good command of the Dutch language

Doing a PhD at TU Delft requires English proficiency at a certain level to ensure that the candidate is able to communicate and interact well, participate in English-taught Doctoral Education courses, and write scientific articles and a final thesis. For more details please check the Graduate Schools Admission Requirements .

Additional Information

Doctoral candidates will be offered a 5-year period of employment in principle, but in the form of two employment contracts. An initial 1,5 year contract with an official go/no go progress assessment within 15 months. Followed by an additional contract for the remaining 3,5 years assuming everything goes well and performance requirements are met. The additional fifth year (compared to a standard 4 year PhD program) accommodates for the extra activities to get to know the police organisation and to secure the results in the police organisation.

Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, increasing from € 2770 per month in the first year to € 3539 in the fourth year. In the 5th year, you will receive a temporary monthly allowance based on the gross difference between salary scale P, step 3 and salary scale 10, step 3.

As a PhD candidate you will be enrolled in the TU Delft Graduate School. The TU Delft Graduate School provides an inspiring research environment with an excellent team of supervisors, academic staff and a mentor. The Doctoral Education Programme is aimed at developing your transferable, discipline-related and research skills.

The TU Delft offers a customisable compensation package, discounts on health insurance, and a monthly work costs contribution. Flexible work schedules can be arranged.

For international applicants, TU Delft has the Coming to Delft Service. This service provides information for new international employees to help you prepare the relocation and to settle in the Netherlands. The Coming to Delft Service offers a Dual Career Programme for partners and they organise events to expand your (social) network.

Are you interested in this vacancy? Please apply no later than June 2, 2024 via the application button and upload your:

• Motivation;
• Transcripts;
• Reference letters.

Please note:

• A screening will be part of the selection procedure.
• You can apply online. We will not process applications sent by email and/or post.
• Please do not contact us for unsolicited services.

As you will be working in the security domain, you must undergo a security screening executed by the Dutch government before starting this position. This screening will take on average 2 to 3 months and could be up to 6 months. A positive outcome of the screening is a prerequisite for the contract for this PhD position to come into effect. At least a BO screening is needed for this PhD position.

Pending the screening result, a temporary employment contract as a researcher can be offered for up to 4 months, if requested by the candidate. This contract will be converted to a PhD contract upon a positive screening result.

If you would like more information about this vacancy, please contact assistant professor dr. Ujwal Gadiraju, [email protected] , or dr. Stefan Buijsman, [email protected] .

If you would like more information about the selection procedure, please contact Helma Dokkum: AI Innovatiemanager, [email protected] .

Work Location(s)

Where to apply.

Boston College Law School Magazine Online

Global Engagement

Guarding countries against third-party funding outcomes, professor garcia and students make their voices heard in international investment law reform efforts..

April 22, 2024

In 2017, Boston College Law School Professor Frank Garcia, an international law expert, began building a team of students to research and work on various aspects of investment law reform. Their focus was on the risks posed by litigation finance, or third-party funding as it is also called (TPF), to the integrity of the already-troubled investor-state dispute settlement (ISDS) system and to the developing countries targeted by these funders for investment arbitration claims.

Team members included then-students Tara Santosuosso ’19, Randall Scarlett ’19, Leo Gargne ’18, and Hyun Ju “Monica” Cho ’18, with help from JD alum Kirrin Hough ’15 and LLM alum Camille Martini ’16.

Their effort was in preparation for an UNCITRAL WGIII meeting in New York in April 2018. UNCITRAL, the UN body that oversees investment matters, is also the home of an influential set of investment arbitration rules and it began a broad reform effort in 2017 to address a number of matters, including TPF.

For the April session, Garcia took to the open part of the meeting numerous copies of several white papers prepared by the students, and presented their work. By the end of the meeting, all 150 copies of the papers were gone.

Reports by observers to the closed session the following day noted a number of states intervening against TPF, sometimes with specific mention of the BC Law white papers. The UNCITRAL Secretariat was tasked with developing a range of options based on state comments, and asked to include the Law School white papers in the secretariat’s document pool.

“I think it is fair to say that thanks to the work of the BC Law team,” Garcia said, “TPF went from a footnote to an important agenda item for UNCITRAL arbitration rules reform, with a major focus on TPF at the August 2019 meeting, and an ongoing work program that continues to the present.”

Garcia and numerous members of the team stayed active in TPF and in the investment law reform space. The research guide, “Researching Third-Party Funding in Investor-State Dispute Settlement,” drafted by Hough and former BC Law librarian Xin “Sherry” Chen, continues to be a key research tool for journalists, policy experts, scholars, and others interested in investment law reform.

Garcia remained in touch with the secretariat as it prepared options for state consideration. In November 2020, he consulted with the secretariat on draft policy options for states to consider at subsequent WGIII meetings.

Santosuosso and Scarlett’s paper on the misappropriation of access-to-justice rhetoric by TPF in investor-state dispute resolution went on to become the leading article on this issue, with over twenty-five citations to date in books, book chapters, articles, reports, etc.

“I think it is fair to say that thanks to the work of the BC Law team, TPF went from a footnote to an important agenda item for UNCITRAL arbitration rules reform, with a major focus on TPF at the August 2019 meeting, and an ongoing work program that continues to the present.” Professor Frank Garcia

Investment law reform continues to be an important theme for several members of the team. Gargne went on to work as a lawyer on investment arbitration matters. He is now pursuing a PhD at Tilburg University in the Netherlands in the intersection of investment law and the environment, as is Martini at Laval University in Canada. Hough continued working on these issues with Garcia as a graduate fellow of the Law & Justice Program, before joining the US Commerce Department in the Office of Trade Enforcement.

Meanwhile, media interest in TPF issues both domestically and in international investment arbitration continues to build. In 2023 Garcia was interviewed for a piece in The Jacobin on the risks posed by TPF to targeted developing countries. He was recently interviewed for a piece in the new online finance journal Sherwood , and is currently being interviewed at length for a forthcoming piece in a major international periodical. The New York Times also recently ran a story on an investment arbitration against Nigeria that illustrated all the defects in the BIT/ISDS system, including some discussion of the role of TPF.

Garcia has also been in communication with members of the Massachusetts Congressional delegation on TPF issues, in connection with ISDS reform efforts and with recent legislation introduced in both houses aimed at some of the risks posed by TPF to the integrity of US litigation. In 2023 Senator Elizabeth Warren and Nobel Prize economist Joseph Stiglitz jointly launched a campaign to rid all trade and investment treaties in the Americas of ISDS, which would likely mean the exclusion of TPF, or at a minimum a vastly diminished role, should the campaign succeed.

The genesis of the campaign was the decision by the US and Canada in the renegotiated NAFTA to drop ISDS for investment disputes between the two states, meaning that at least with respect to investment claims between US and Canadian investors, TPF will have a dramatically reduced role, if any.

TPF work is also coming to a head in the UNCITRAL reform process. TPF continued as an agenda item when meetings resumed post-COVID, with the secretariat developing draft language regulating TPF in a July 2023 report that incorporated a number of suggestions made by the BC Law team and others. States began considering these draft provisions at the January 2024 meeting, with deliberations expected to continue until the conclusion of the UNCITRAL reform process in 2026.

Given renewed public interest and these regulatory developments, Garcia has decided to reconstitute so-called “Team TPF.”

“I am particularly pleased that new BC Law faculty will be involved,” he said. “Professor Sergio Campos brings extensive expertise in complex civil litigation and federal courts to the team. He will be advising on the role of TPF in domestic complex litigation, and recently chaired a panel on TPF in domestic complex litigation at a research conference at Northwestern Law School. Professor Felipe Cole will be working on a number of aspects of the issue, given his extensive knowledge of investment law, particularly in the Latin American context.

Others who will be on the team include LLM alum Alex Bado ’23, Donald Fagan ’24, Nathaniel DeMelis ’25, Ruchita Jain ’25, Isabelle Ng ’25, Ana Maria Rojas Gutierrez, LLM ’24, and Chih-Han “Vivian” Yu ’25. They will be conducting research into various legal aspects of TPF and in particular strategies and issues arising in the effort to block TPF at state, federal, and international levels. 

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Two MSW students win Unity Banquet Scholarships

The annual Unity Banquet and Scholarship Dinner celebrates the academic achievements of underrepresented and diverse graduate and undergraduate students at Case Western Reserve University, as well as graduating high school seniors, by awarding thousands of dollars in scholarships each spring. The evening also serves as an opportunity to recognize future students and CWRU community partners.

This year's banquet was celebrated on Friday, April 19, at Landerhaven. The theme was  Taking Flight: Experiential Education for Exponential Growth . Alumna Kari A. Cunningham, board-certified pediatric dentist, fellow of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry and owner of Panther Pediatric Dentistry, was the special guest.

Two Mandel School students received a Unity Banquet Scholarship Award this year: Sylvia Hernandez and  Ayowole Samuel Ajiboye .

Hernandez is a weekly on-campus MSW student, after starting out in the intensive weekend program. She will graduate this May.

Ajiboye is an on-campus MSW student and graduate assistant at the Physical Resource Center . He will graduate in May 2025.

Ajiboye also received CWRU's Outstanding Community Service Award at the Dr. Dorothy Pijan Student Leadership Awards on Thursday, April 25, at the Foster-Castele Great Hall in the Linsalata Alumni Center. 

Congratulations to our student award winners!

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As we age, we grow more lonely

Around the world, there are consistent patterns and factors associated with loneliness, study finds

• Link to: Northwestern Now Story

Media Information

• Embargo date: April 30, 2024 10:00 AM CT
• Release Date: April 25, 2024

Media Contacts

Kristin Samuelson

• (847) 491-4888
• Email Kristin

Journal: Psychological Science

• Adults are lonelier in early and older adulthood, less lonely in middle adulthood
• Consistent loneliness pattern found across nine longitudinal studies, all collected prior to COVID-19 pandemic

CHICAGO --- Loneliness in adulthood follows a U-shaped pattern: it’s higher in younger and older adulthood, and lowest during middle adulthood, reports a new Northwestern Medicine study that examined nine longitudinal studies from around the world.

The study also identified several risk factors for heightened loneliness across the whole lifespan, including social isolation, sex, education and physical impairment.

“What was striking was how consistent the uptick in loneliness is in older adulthood,” said corresponding author Eileen Graham , associate professor of medical social sciences at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. “There’s a wealth of evidence that loneliness is related to poorer health, so we wanted to better understand who is lonely and why people are becoming lonelier as they age out of midlife so we can hopefully start finding ways to mitigate it.”  

L acking connection can increase the risk for premature death to levels comparable to smoking daily, according to the office of the U.S. Surgeon General, who one year ago called for action to address America's loneliness epidemic . Graham said her findings underscore the need for targeted interventions to reduce social disparities throughout adulthood to hopefully reduce levels of loneliness, especially among older adults.

Perhaps one day general practitioners could assess levels of loneliness during regular wellness visits to help identify those who might be most at risk, Graham said.

The study will be published April 30 in the journal Psychological Science.

Factors associated with higher persistent loneliness

The study found individuals with higher persistent loneliness were disproportionately women, more isolated, less educated, had lower income, had more functional limitations, were divorced or widowed, were smokers, or had poorer cognitive, physical or mental health.

‘How does loneliness change across the lifespan?’

The study replicated this U-shaped pattern across nine datasets from studies conducted in the U.K., Germany, Sweden, the Netherlands, Australia, Israel and more. Only one of the datasets was from the U.S., which Graham said points to how widespread the loneliness epidemic is globally.

“Our study is unique because it harnessed the power of all these datasets to answer the same question — ‘How does loneliness change across the lifespan, and what factors contribute to becoming more or less lonely over time?’,” she said.

All of the nine longitudinal studies were conducted before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, when many researchers found loneliness became even more pronounced.

Why is middle adulthood less lonely?

While this study didn’t specifically examine why middle-aged adults are the least lonely, Graham said it could be because the many demands on a middle-aged person’s life often involve social interactions, such as being married, going to work and making friends with the parents of children’s friends.

But the relationship between social interaction and loneliness is complex. “You can have a lot of social interaction and still be lonely or, alternatively, be relatively isolated and not feel lonely,” Graham said.

As for younger adulthood being a lonelier time, Graham   and the study’s co-author  Tomiko Yoneda   said the study data start right at the end of adolescence, when young adults are often navigating several important life transitions (e.g., education, careers, friend groups, relationship partners and families).

“As people age and develop through young adulthood into midlife, they start to set down roots and become established, solidifying adult friend groups, social networks and life partners,”   said Yoneda, assistant professor of psychology at University of California, Davis. “We do have evidence that married people tend to be less lonely, so for older adults who are not married, finding ongoing points of meaningful social contact will likely help mitigate the risk of persistent loneliness.”

Funding for the study was provided by the National Institute on Aging (grants R01-AG067622; R01-AG082954; R24AG048024; R01AG030153; R01AG017644), part of the National Institutes of Health.

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Corresponding study author Eileen Graham, associate professor of medical social sciences at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, summarizes the findings from the study. 

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Eileen K Graham , PhD

Corresponding author

Associate professor of medical social sciences

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