Visiting Opportunity for Early-Stage Researchers
Apply for a Research Stay at one of our ENGAGE.EU Partner Universities!
Research Visits within the ENGAGE.EU Alliance:
Through ENGAGE.EU research visits, Early-Stage Researchers, defined as PhD and up to 4-years post-PhD researchers, can expand their academic network, collaborate with leading experts, and gain valuable international experience. These visits provide access to new resources, fresh perspectives, and diverse institutional environments, strengthening research projects and career prospects. During their stay, visiting Early-Stage Researchers will also have access to local workspaces, ensuring a productive and immersive research experience.
About ENGAGE.EU
ENGAGE.EU is an alliance of leading universities, bringing together the University of Mannheim (UMA), Libera Università Internazionale degli Studi Sociali Guido Carli (Luiss) , the NHH Norwegian School of Economics , Tilburg University (TiU), the University of National and World Economy (UNWE), Université Toulouse Capitole (UT Capitole), the Vienna University of Economics and Business (WU), Ramon Llull University (URL), Hanken School of Economics (Hanken), and the University of St. Gallen (HSG).
Together, these institutions form a vibrant academic community of over 120.000 students, researchers, and staff, promoting collaboration, knowledge exchange, and interdisciplinary research across borders.
What do we offer?
As an Early-Stage Researcher within the alliance, ENGAGE.EU provides you with an opportunity to extend your network, pursue a project with an expert in your field and immerse yourself in another institutional environment.
To support these research visits, ENGAGE.EU offers scholarships and facilitates connections with relevant departments, promoting long-lasting academic collaborations.
Beyond the immediate research experience, research visits can also serve as a starting point for exploring other opportunities within the alliance.
As an Early-Stage Researcher in general, you can expand your network, develop project ideas that may evolve into research collaborations funded by the ENGAGE.EU Research Label or the ENGAGE.EU Academic Initiative Incubator.
Specifically and only as a PhD researcher, you may also combine your research visit period with specialized training courses through the Course Catalogue without paying course fees and establish collaborations that could lead to co-supervision or a joint defence committee for your doctoral thesis.
While each of these opportunities stands on its own, they can also intersect in ways that support your academic and professional growth.
Who can participate?
PhD researchers and postdoctoral researchers up-to four years post-PhD enrolled or employed at any ENGAGE.EU partner institution are eligible to apply.
Visiting research periods are typically arranged upon request and in agreement with a hosting professor at the desired university. You can apply for a research stay at any time throughout the year.
Please ensure that your research visit is scheduled in a way that aligns with your academic responsibilities and commitments at your home university.
How to apply?
1. Find a Host Professor or Academic Advisor
In coordination with your Supervisor or Scientific Coordinator, identify a professor at the host university whose research aligns with yours.
2. Reach Out
Email the professor or Department to express your interest, including:
- A brief introduction or CV.
- Your research focus and its relevance to their work.
- Your preferred timeframe for the visit.
- A short outline of your research objectives and planned activities.
3. Notify the Responsible Local Host Office at the Host University
Once you establish contact, inform the responsible host university’s local office (see contact details at the end of the call) to ensure institutional arrangements align with their procedures. Mention that your visit is part of the ENGAGE.EU framework.
4. Obtain an Invitation Letter
If the host professor agrees to supervise your stay, the host university will issue an official invitation letter, required for the application process and for the funding opportunities to be assessed with your home university (see next section).
5. Inform your Home University ENGAGE.EU Office about your research visit, keeping your Local Relevant Office in the loop (see contacts below), to explore funding options.
Funding?
Each ENGAGE.EU partner university offers several scholarships for research visits per year.
To check availability, contact your local ENGAGE.EU Office. Your home institution may also provide top-up or match funding for longer stays. Additional local and European funding options depend on your home institution and visit duration.
Contact Information for responsible offices at each partner institution
ENGAGE.EU Partner Institution | Contact Office | General Support Information |
Luiss | Doctoral Office ENGAGE.EU Office | |
UT Capitole | Erasmus Scholarship ENGAGE.EU scholarship | |
URL |
General Contact Point | https://www.url.edu/en/research-and-innovation/research-url |
Hanken | General Contact Point | https://www.hanken.fi/en/students/study-programmes/phd-programme |
WU | Doctoral Office ENGAGE.EU International Office (for visits and registration) | PhD/Doctoral exchange at WU – Incoming Exchange Students – Programs |
Tilburg University | General Contact Point for Each Department: Social behavior and Psychology Humanities & Digital Sciences | For short stay: Department that hosts the PhD candidate can provide advice on accommodation. |
NHH | General Contact Point (Doctoral Office; for incoming, too) | PhD researchers employed at NHH can apply for funding for research stays abroad. Please confer with the department.
NHH does not provide funding for visiting doctoral researchers and we do not have any tuition fees for visiting PhD researchers. |
UMA | Doctoral Office
ENGAGE.EU Office | https://www.uni-mannheim.de/en/welcome-center/ |
UNWE | General Contact Point (Doctoral Office) | PhD researchers employed at the UNWE can apply only for external funding for research visits abroad. |
Note:
If applicable, participants shall be responsible for obtaining their own visas /student residence permit and completing the required immigration formalities, as well as for obtaining the travel documents and other related documents needed to pursue studies at the host university or another participating university.
During the events, participants shall be subject to the rules, regulations, policies, procedures, codes and norms which are in force at the host university.
Violation of host country law by the participant may subject the student to withdrawal of the immigration status and scholarship.
For any physical mobility related to the event, participants will be required to carry adequate health insurance and need to ensure that their insurance will cover the potential costs of health care during that period.