UNU-MERIT PhD Fellowship at the United Nations University in Maastricht 2027/2028

About this scholarship

Up to 10 four year PhD fellowships at UNU-MERIT, a United Nations University institute in Maastricht, the Netherlands, for the cohort that starts in September 2027. The degree is awarded by Maastricht University, and applicants from the Global South are encouraged.

Funding type

Covers: the PhD programme fees, a monthly stipend for living costs in Maastricht for 4 years, and a research budget of EUR 3,500. The programme page gives the stipend as about EUR 1,700 a month, and the FAQ gives EUR 1,650 net a month. The fellowship continues with satisfactory progress. Without a fellowship, the fees for 2026/2027 were EUR 9,000 for the first year and EUR 7,000 for each later year.

Tuition fees

Covered

Living costs

Covered

Travel

Not specified

Insurance

Not specified

Eligibility requirements

Nationalities

All nationalities

Residence condition

No residence condition

Open to all nationalities. Candidates from the Global South are particularly encouraged A master's degree in a relevant field such as economics, political science, social sciences or computational social sciences. You can apply if you finish your master's in spring 2027 Theoretical and practical knowledge of one of the institute's research areas: economics of innovation and technology, or public policy and governance Fluent spoken and written English Age is not a strict rule, but the FAQ gives an indicative limit of 32 for the full-time track

Minimum grade

Not stated

Work experience asked for

Not stated

Return condition

Return condition not stated

How to apply

Straight to the provider

Language requirements and exemptions

Language test required TOEFL iBT IELTS Cambridge English Waiver possible

Applicants from non-English-speaking countries need a test: TOEFL iBT 100 (or 600 paper-based or 240 computer-based), IELTS 7.0, or the Cambridge CAE or CPE. Native speakers and those whose bachelor's or master's was taught in English are exempt. An expired score can be sent first, and if your test date is after the deadline, admission is conditional on passing it.

University admission details

Admission included in application?

The call opens on 1 November 2026 and closes on 15 February 2027. The closing time is not stated. The box at the top of the programme page still shows 15 Feb 2026 from last year, but the PhD programme page and the FAQ give the 2027 dates. There is no separate fellowship form. In the application form you say that you want to be considered for the UNU-MERIT fellowship, or describe your other funding. Candidates who are not shortlisted are told by the end of March 2027. Shortlisted candidates may be interviewed in April, and final decisions come by the end of May. The programme starts in September 2027. More than 250 people apply each year for up to 10 places. The office does not answer individual questions outside the call period.

Required documents

Application letter of one to two pages Research proposal of two to three pages Full CV Copy of your passport Certified copies of certificates and grades with an explanation of the grading system. Paper copies are asked for only after selection English test result if needed One recommendation letter in English from a professor or employer

Application steps

Read the institute's two core research areas and write a short proposal linked to one of them. From 1 November 2026, fill in the online application form and upload your documents. State that you want to be considered for the UNU-MERIT fellowship and enter your referee's details. Apply before 15 February 2027.

Requirement checklist

Scholarship contacts

UNU-MERIT PhD programme office: [email protected]Copy

Universities and contacts