ITM-DGD Sandwich PhD Call 2026 launched!
The ITM/DGD Sandwich PhD Call 2026 is now open for applications. The deadline for submission is 15 September 2026.
About the call
In the 2026 call round, ITM will award up to 4–6 PhD grants to outstanding candidates. These grants are part of a comprehensive capacity-strengthening programme supported by the Directorate-General for Development Cooperation (DGD): “The Health We Share – Strengthening Health Systems through Science, Innovation and Transformative Partnerships (2027–2031).”
Of the six grants, two are earmarked for PhD candidates affiliated with a Strategic or Collaborating Partner Institution within The Health We Share programme.
The grants aim to support the next generation of researchers in developing into independent scientists by giving them the opportunity to conduct innovative, scientifically challenging PhD research that contributes to both the programme's objectives and broader capacity strengthening efforts.
Research themes
PhD proposals must align with one or more of the programme’s broad outcome themes:
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Epidemic and pandemic preparedness
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Control and elimination of tropical infectious diseases
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Sexual and reproductive health and rights
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Policy support
Prospective PhD candidates embedded in a Strategic or Collaborating partner institute must explain how their PhD research is linked to the programme’s cluster activities on the related topic.
The PhD grants are of the ‘sandwich’ type, meaning that the student will spend the doctoral research time partly in the home institute/country and partly at ITM. The grant is awarded after a competitive procedure based on the evaluation of academic merit, a full PhD project proposal and the quality and relevance of the institutional and supervisory set-up.
For more information on the eligibility criteria, regulations and procedure, check the Call here attached. Or visit the ITM website here.
Application deadline: 15/09/2026