University of Oldenburg: Second call for Double Doctorates and other network grants

In March 2021, the Presidential Boards of the Carl von Ossietzky Universität Oldenburg and the Rijksuniversiteit Groningen adopted the jointly developed "Roadmap for Cooperation 2020 - 2030", which defines the focus areas and key objectives of cooperation.

We are delighted to be able to award grants again this year through the ‘UOL-RUG Cooperation Projects Funding Programme’. In addition, we are pleased to present further innovative funding formats for the strategic partnership with Groningen, which are financed by the Lower Saxony Ministry of Science and Culture and the Volkswagen Foundation as part of the ‘Programme for Excellence’. This new portfolio of funding instruments will further strengthen the long-standing cooperation between the universities of Groningen and Oldenburg, as it provides new thematic impetus and promotes further networking between the two universities.

Below you will find an overview of the various funding programmes. The first deadline of various network grants is 31 May 2026. The deadline for PhD Double Degree applications is 30 November 2026. Interested colleagues can also get in touch with Prof. Dr. Raingard Esser, Director of the Graduate School for the Humanities, about further details of these initiatives.

Funding programme “Cooperation projects UOL-RUG”

With the already well-established funding programme ‘Cooperation Projects UOL-RUG’, grants can be applied for low-threshold formats with an innovative character. Applications are made bilaterally, i.e. the application must be submitted to both Oldenburg and Groningen. The application deadline is May 31, 2026.

Furthermore, particularly large events can be financed through additional funds from the "Programme for Excellence".

Further information and instructions on how to apply can be found at Internationalisation // University of Oldenburg

Funding measures within the framework of the initiative “Programme for Excellence”

Please note that applications for the funding measures listed below can only be submitted by researchers at the UOL.

UOL-RUG Networks

This funding (e.g., for online and hybrid colloquia, conferences, workshops, faculty visits, or PhD days) can be applied for under the aforementioned funding programme "Cooperation Projects UOL-RUG". The application deadline is May 31, 2026, for projects with a funding period starting on or after July 1, 2026.

Further information and details on how to apply can be found at Internationalisation // University of Oldenburg 

Visiting Fellow Programme

This funding initiative is directed at scientists from the PhD phase onwards who would like to spend two to four months conducting research at the other university. The aim of this funding measure is to create a framework for the preparation of a joint research project or research proposal, or to promote the University of Oldenburg as a long-term place of work. In addition to the University of Groningen, other universities, non-university research institutions, cultural or administrative institutions and non-governmental organisations can also be visited as part of this funding initiative. Researchers from RUG and other universities can also be invited to UOL from the doctoral stage onwards. The application deadline is May 31, 2026, for projects with a funding period starting on or after July 1, 2026.

Further information and details on how to apply can be found at Internationalisation // University of Oldenburg

Double Doctorate PhD Programme

Researchers with the right to supervise doctorates can apply for a doctoral position funded for two years by the UOL (one year through the " Programme for Excellence," one year by the applicants) and for a further two years at the University of Groningen (RUG). It is important to note that the University of Groningen does not provide any central funding for these two years. The full funding for the two-year period in Groningen must be secured by the Principal Investigator (PI) or the respective faculty in Groningen. Therefore, a signed Letter of Intent is required as part of the application, explicitly confirming the PI’s commitment to provide the necessary funding for this period. The doctoral projects aim to systematically expand international research activities to all faculties at UOL and culminate in joint, externally funded research projects. Likewise, a connection to the action areas of the roadmap or to the clusters of excellence or potential areas should be evident.

The application deadline is November 30, 2026, for double doctorates with a funding period beginning on April 1, 2027. Further information and application guidelines will be provided in the coming weeks.

Brownbag Talks

The “Brownbag Talks” funding line supports lecture formats. The aim of the funding line is to bring innovative ideas to the university in the form of lectures. The Brownbag sessions are held within a time frame of one hour. The focus is primarily on the subsequent discussion and exchange of opinions. Funding applications can be submitted continuously.

Further information and details on how to apply can be found at Internationalisation // University of Oldenburg

We cordially invite you to actively take advantage of these diverse funding opportunities to expand your international cooperation and further strengthen Oldenburg as an attractive research location.

We look forward to receiving your project ideas and event proposals!

With kind regards

Prof. Dr. Katharina Al-Shamery
Vice President for Academic Career Paths, Equal Opportunities and International Affairs

Prof. Dr. Ralf Grüttemeier
Vice President for Research and Transfer