Doctoral mobility programmes within Europe

• Applicant must be enrolled as a doctoral student at Saarland University
• Minimum duration of stay: 60 days
• Maximum duration of stay: 12 months

Programme countries

Monthly funding rates (2024 Call)

The size of the monthly grant for long-term Erasmus+ mobilities (from 60 days to 12 months) is calculated on the basis of the cost of living in the host country. Each host country has been assigned to one of three 'country groups'.

• Country group 1 
  • Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Sweden
  • Erasmus+ International: United Kingdom and Switzerland
  • €600 per month or €20 per day
• Country group 2 
  • Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Greece, Latvia, Malta, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain
  • €540 per month or €18 per day
• Country group 3
  • Bulgaria, Croatia, Hungary, Lithuania, North Macedonia, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Turkey
  • €540 per month or €18 per day

The Erasmus+ programme will fund up to 12 months abroad per study cycle (Bachelor/Master/doctoral studies). Financial support will be paid for a maximum of

• 4.5 months for a stay of one semester 
• 9 months for a stay of two semesters

Travel-day allowances

Travel-day allowances depend on the means of transport used and the distance travelled (see distance table and Erasmus+ distance calculator)

• Non-environmentally friendly ('non-green') means of transport (subject to approval): up to two travel days 
• Environmentally friendly ('green') means of transport (bus, train, bicycle, car sharing): up to six travel days

Top-up funds

• Social top-ups
  You may be eligible for additional financial support in the form of a top-up grant of €250 per month if you
  • have a non-academic background, i.e. your parents or legal guardians have not completed a university degree and they affirm this is writing
  • are employed but will not be able to continue working when studying abroad and your average net monthly income is above €450 and below €850 (as shown by your pay slips of the last six months)
  • have a chronic medical condition and this is confirmed by a medical certificate issued by a physician
  • are disabled with a certified degree of disability of at least 20%
  • will be taking your child with you during your stay abroad and you provide supporting documents to this effect.

Please refer to the information on our website regarding equal opportunities, inclusion and sustainability in the Erasmus+ programme.

Partner countries

• Albania, Armenia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Georgia, Israel, Morocco, Moldova, Montenegro and Ukraine
• €700 per month
• Additional top-ups of €250 per month are available for eligible groups (see above) 
• If your Erasmus+ mobility is in a partner country, you will receive an additional travel allowance depending on the distance travelled.

Recognition of thesis research or doctoral work carried out abroad must be discussed and agreed with your thesis supervisor.

Applications for a research stay at one of our partner universities are submitted via the Erasmus+ coordinator for your subject. To find your subject coordinator, please refer to this list.

Your Erasmus+ subject coordinator will then nominate you to the selected partner university. Once your nomination has been accepted, you can then apply for funding via the International Office at Saarland University.

• Applicant must be enrolled as a doctoral student at Saarland University
• Minimum duration of stay: 5 days
• Maximum duration of stay: 30 days

Students receive funding for the physical mobility component of their short-term Erasmus+ mobility activity. The funding comprises a monthly grant to cover living expenses, a travel-day allowance, a travel grant and, where applicable, top-up payments. 

Monthly funding rates (2024 Call)
Funding rates are the same for all host countries and are currently set at:

• €79 per day for stays of between 5 and 14 days
• €56 per day from the 15th day onward (maximum duration: 30 days)

Travel-day allowances
Travel-day allowances depend on the means of transport used and the distance travelled. 

• Non-environmentally friendly ('non-green') means of transport (subject to approval): up to two travel days 
• Environmentally friendly ('green') means of transport (bus, train, bicycle, car sharing): up to six travel days

Travel grant
This lump-sum payment is calculated on the basis of the Erasmus+ distance calculator. 

Top-up funds

• single payment of €100 for mobilities of between 5 and 14 days
• single payment of €150 for mobilities of between 15 and 30 days

You are eligible for top-up funding if you: 

• have a non-academic background, i.e. your parents or legal guardians have not completed a university degree and they affirm this is writing
• are employed but will not be able to continue working when studying abroad and your average net monthly income is above €450 and below €850 (as shown by your pay slips of the last six months)
• have a chronic medical condition and this is confirmed by a medical certificate issued by a physician
• are disabled with a certified degree of disability of at least 20%
• will be taking your child with you during your stay abroad and you provide supporting documents to this effect.

Recognition of thesis research or doctoral work carried out abroad must be discussed and agreed with your thesis supervisor.

To apply for the daily allowance for short-term mobilities, please first obtain the consent of your thesis supervisor and then submit your application to the International Office.