PhD short term student mobility opportunity
UCD PhD students are invited to apply for an opportunity to spend 14 days (fully funded) at the Centre for Social Policy Studies at the University of Ghana, based in Acrra, Ghana.
Funding is available to send up to three UCD PhD students to Ghana for this short exchange opportunity. Students must be available to complete the exchange before 31 July 2025. If you are interested in this opportunity but would prefer a different duration, please feel free to apply as a shorter or longer term exchange may be possible.
The deadline to apply is 25 April 2025.
What would I do during the exchange?
You would work independently on your PhD research while at the University of Ghana. In addition, you will have the opportunity to meet with staff and students at the host university. A customised learning plan (which you will help to develop) will be put in place before you leave designed to help you get the most out of the experience whether that is presenting on your doctoral work, meeting with relevant staff and students or undertaking site visits relevant to your research.
About the project
These opportunities form part of a larger project focused on developing a localised approach to humanitarian action education- you can find out more about the project here. A link to the focus area of the project is not required, but if demand exceeds supply, applicants who are able to show links between their proposed activities and the focus area of the wider project (humanitarian action education) will be prioritised.
Am I eligible to apply?
1. You must be a doctoral student at UCD (essential)
2. Students from any academic discipline are welcome to apply, however if demand exceeds supply, priority will be given to students who set out most effectively why the two-week opportunity would benefit their doctoral studies or future career development and whose academic interests link well to the wider project (see above).
How to apply
If you are interested in applying, please send your CV along with a cover letter to erasmusicm@ucd.ie before 5pm on 25 April 2025. The cover letter should address why spending two weeks at the University of Ghana would be of benefit to your doctoral studies or your future career prospects. For example, are there particular areas of expertise at the University of Ghana which could bring new insights to your research? Would being immersed in another culture provide a fresh perspective or bring a new dimension to any aspect of your doctorate? Would the opportunity to discuss or present your research outside Ireland provide valuable career development experience?
What funding would I receive?
The selected students will each receive:
● A travel grant of €820 to cover the cost of return flights from Dublin to Ghana
● A daily grant of €70 per day to cover the cost of your food, accommodation and other expenses while in Accra. While a longer exchange is possible, a lower daily rate applies after day 14 (€56 per day).
This opportunity is funded through the Erasmus+ Key Action 171. Erasmus+ Key Action KA171 (also known as International Credit Mobility) is a strand of the Erasmus+ programme that supports academic mobility of staff and students between Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in Erasmus+ programme countries and the east of Europe as well as the rest of the world.
Further information
Erasmus+ Key Action 171 is a strand of the Erasmus+ programme that enables staff and students to undertake mobility periods in non-Erasmus programme countries (largely countries outside of Europe and in the East of Europe).
Read about the experience of UCD staff and students who have undertake Erasmus+ KA171 mobilities in Kenya, Mozambique and New Zealand.