PhD Positions at Norwegian Universities 2026 Fully Funded

Start your research career in Norway! Great news — PhD positions at Norwegian universities for 2025-2026 are now open. Unlike traditional scholarships, these PhD positions are offered as fully funded employment contracts, meaning that doctoral candidates are officially hired as university employees. This unique model ensures that PhD fellows receive a monthly salary, pension rights, health insurance, paid holidays, and other social benefits, making it one of the most attractive doctoral study options in the world. With no tuition fees at Norwegian universities, international students can pursue research in a wide range of fields while enjoying a high standard of living and access to world-class research facilities.

Scholarship Summary

Level of Study: PhD (Doctoral Studies)
Institutions: Norwegian public universities (e.g., University of Oslo, NTNU, University of Bergen, UiT)
Study in: Norway
Funding Type: Fully funded (employment contracts)
Duration: 3–4 years
Salary: Approx. NOK 501,200 – 544,400 per year (~€45,000–50,000)

Scholarship Coverage

PhD candidates in Norway are considered employees, not students. Benefits include:

Full salary (as per Norwegian university pay scales)
Health insurance, pension, and social security benefits
Paid holidays (~5 weeks annually)
No tuition fees (Norwegian higher education is tuition-free)

Eligibility Criteria

To qualify for a PhD position in Norway, applicants must:

Hold a Master’s degree (or equivalent) in a relevant field
Submit a strong research proposal aligned with the department’s focus
Provide required documents: CV, transcripts, research outline, recommendation letters
Demonstrate English proficiency (TOEFL/IELTS or equivalent)

How to Apply

Check PhD vacancies on university websites or national job portals.
Submit an application as a job posting, not a traditional student admission.
Upload required documents (transcripts, research plan, CV, references).
Shortlisted applicants may be interviewed.
Successful candidates receive an employment contract as a research fellow.