Utrecht Network - Benefit

Benefit

You receive a one-off payment of 1,200 EUR for a research stay at a partner university abroad that you organise yourself. The amount is fixed. It stays the same whatever your destination and however long you stay. Your stay must last at least 4 weeks and can run up to 12 months. You may split it into several shorter periods, including during holidays. For the 2026 round, your research must take place between 1 May 2026 and 31 March 2027. Up to 20 grants are awarded per round. The money comes from the Utrecht Network, a group of European partner universities that runs the programme for students who cannot use other exchange schemes such as Erasmus+. The grant does not separately cover travel, accommodation or insurance.

Eligibility

• Level: You are a Master's student or a PhD candidate (a researcher working towards a doctorate). PhD candidates get priority, especially those who cannot use Erasmus+.
• What you do abroad: You carry out thesis research at the host university. You may also attend courses there, but pure research projects rank higher in the selection.
• Both universities in the network: Your home university and your host university must both be members of the Utrecht Network. The host must be in a different country from your home university.
• You organise it yourself: You find a suitable research group and a supervisor at the host university and arrange the stay yourself.
• Field of study: Open to all subjects.
• Age: No age limit.
• Timing: You must not graduate before your research stay ends. Previous grant holders may reapply, but first-time applicants are preferred.

How to apply

First get a letter of recommendation from your supervisor or programme coordinator at home. You also need a letter of acceptance from an academic at your chosen host university. Then send the application form with both letters to the Utrecht Network representative at your home university by 20 February 2026, or earlier if your university sets its own date. Selection is based on your documents. You hear the result by email by 20 March 2026.

How realistic are your chances?

Up to 20 grants go out each round and each member university may only put forward three ranked candidates. So the competition happens mostly inside your own university first. Because you organise the whole stay yourself, the biggest hurdle is simply securing a supervisor and a letter of acceptance abroad. Many students never get that far. If you have a concrete research-only project, a confirmed host and are a PhD candidate who cannot use Erasmus+, your prospects are strong.