Research in Holland
25 Dec 2008
The high quality of PhD research and dissertations published in the country has
earned Holland a place in the very top ranks. In fact, Holland is continental Europe’s leader in international scientific research, and it ranks second in the world in terms of per capita publications.
Doctorate 
In Holland, the doctorate degree (PhD) is only offered at research universities. The major requirement for obtaining a doctorate is the completion of a dissertation that is based on original research and is publicly defended. Researching and writing a dissertation requires about four years in Holland, rather than the three years that are standard in many other countries.
www.eracareers.nl
www.studyinholland.nl
www.vsnu.nl
Once you have decided to apply for a PhD position in Holland, you will have to start
looking for a PhD supervisor – i.e. a professor who will support your proposal and serve as the official supervisor for your research. PhD research projects and dissertation must of course always be original work, as candidates are charged with making an original contribution to the body of knowledge in their field. The dissertation is made public and is generally important enough to be reviewed in internationaljournals in the field.
Requirements
Candidates must have an academic background comparable to their Dutch counterparts in the same field. You will need to have a recognizedmaster’s degree. As candidates from other countries generally choose to write their dissertations in English, full mastery of English idiom and grammar is needed. Given these considerations, the individual university will determine whether to admit the candidate.
Funding
Almost all PhD students enrolled in Holland are given a temporary appointment or
receive a grant, though students may also complete their PhD without any such grant or appointment.In that case, the PhD student must find a supervisor who is willing to guide the doctoral research. The university may charge a tuition and/or bench fee.
–Temporary position with salary
Research programmes run by Dutch universities, and in many cases by two or more working closely together, may include funding for PhD projects. These projects will
have an existing research proposal for which the programme’s organizers want to find
a suitable PhD candidate to carry out the project. Applications for such PhD positions proceed much as for any job.
www.academictransfer.org
– Fellowships
International organizations like the European Commission provide fellowships.
Governments and employers sometimes also offer their own fellowships for PhD
study abroad. In addition, some of the host institutions in Holland may also have
fellowship funding available.
– Your own source of funding
Your inquiry should be directed to the institution you have chosen. For more information bout funding you can also visit: wwwracareers.nl or www.grantfinder.nl