Guidelines for PhD fellowships

Who Can Apply – Requirements at the Time of Application

PhD fellowships can only be applied for by the fellow and cannot be transferred to others. Applicants must have completed a master's degree or equivalent, (cf. requirement for transcripts that are to be attached with the application). Applicants with an international degree must document how this is assessed in relation to a Norwegian higher education degree.

Either the research fellow, the main supervisor, or the project leader must be employed (at least 20%) at a health trust in the region or a private, non-profit institution in the region that has an aggrement with Helse Vest. The employment must be evident in the CV of the applicant, main supervisor, and/or project leader. 

If the employment requirements are not met: individuals employed at the University of Bergen, University of Stavanger, and Western Norway University of Applied Sciences can still apply if there is an Agreement of Support with a health trust or a private non-profit institution. See Who Can Apply for Helse Vest Research Funds. 

The names of the supervisors, principal investigator and others are to be mentioned in the partnership section on the application form. At least one of the supervisors must be employed by a university or university college in the region. The main supervisor must hold a primary position at an institution in Norway, generally within the region. 

The applicant cannot submit multiple applications in the same application category.

What Can Be Applied For

PhD fellowships can be awarded for up to three years in a full-time 100% position or six years in a 50% position.

PhD fellowships are awarded according to rates that are regulated yearly based on the estimated price increase in the national budget. The rate is to be used for salary with social expenses and running costs in the project.

Rates for PhD fellowships

• Rate for 2027: 1 183 000 NOK

Running costs beyond what is included in the fellowships rate, must be met from other sources. Fellowships for the completion of a doctoral degree cannot be applied for.

Assessment of Applications

Applications are assessed based on scientific quality and impact for the health services. The two criteria are equal in the sense that quality or impact alone is not sufficient for the allocation of funds. Read more in Aims and Criteria.

If Funds Are Awarded

Positions financed by Helse Vest research funds must be employed by the applicant institution (health trust or private, non-profit institutions). The doctoral candidate must have their permanent workplace in the region and is expected to actively participate in the research environment they will part of throughout the project period.

If research funds are awarded, the candidate must be admitted into a PhD program, as a general rule at a university in the region. Confirmation of admission must be sent within 3 months after project start. 

PhD fellowships are granted for up to three years (100% position). The fellowship can be granted as either a 50 % or 100 % position and payment will be adjusted accordingly. If other implementation schemes are needed, this must be specifically applied after the award letter is received. 
 
Please note: Applicants for PhD fellowships must be able to start the fellowship at the latest on the 1st of July in the year for which the funds are awarded.

Changing employer during the grant period may be possible if this involves moving to other health trusts or private, non-profit institution within the region. Any matters related to a potential change must be clarified in dialogue with the applicant institution and Helse Vest and documented through agreements between the relevant institutions.

Researchers receiving Helse Vest's research funds must complete a course in user participation. Employees in healthcare institutions will receive a certificate if they complete the course through the "Læringsportalen".

Project description and other attachments

Two attachments must be uploaded with the application: