NTNU PhD Fellowships are among the best opportunities available for international students and researchers who want to pursue doctoral studies in Norway. These opportunities are usually offered as paid PhD research fellow positions at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology. Instead of applying for one central scholarship, most applicants apply for a specific PhD vacancy announced by NTNU, and selected candidates receive salary-based funding while working on a research project. In this article, we have explained everything you need to know about NTNU PhD Fellowships 2027, including their benefits, eligibility criteria, required documents, financing requirements, and a detailed step-by-step application process to help you apply successfully.
Norwegian University of Science and Technology, also known as NTNU, is Norway’s largest university and one of the country’s strongest institutions for science, technology, engineering, medicine, social sciences, humanities, architecture, economics, and innovation. NTNU has its headquarters in Trondheim and campuses in Gjøvik and Ålesund. According to NTNU’s official profile, the university has more than 43,000 students, over 8,500 employees, and more than 500 study programmes. NTNU is also ranked #264 in the QS World University Rankings 2027, making it a strong destination for students who want to build a research career in Europe.
PhD education at NTNU is different from traditional scholarship-based study in many countries. In Norway, PhD candidates are usually treated as employees rather than ordinary students. This means that a PhD position is often advertised as a job vacancy, and the selected candidate receives salary, employment benefits, supervision, and structured doctoral training. Applicants should regularly check the official NTNU vacancies page because new PhD research fellow positions are posted throughout the year.
NTNU PhD Fellowships Summary
- Level of Study: PhD
- Institution: Norwegian University of Science and Technology
- Study Destination: Norway
- Duration: Normally 3 years; some positions may be 4 years with teaching or other duties
- Deadline: Varies by position
NTNU PhD Fellowships Coverage
NTNU PhD Fellowships are usually salary-based research positions rather than traditional tuition scholarships. Selected candidates are normally employed by NTNU as PhD research fellows.
The benefits may include:
- Salary-based funding
- Full-time PhD research position
- Employment at NTNU
- Structured doctoral training
- Academic supervision
- Access to NTNU research groups
- Access to laboratories, libraries, research infrastructure, and academic facilities
- Participation in PhD coursework
- Opportunity to publish in peer-reviewed journals
- Opportunity to attend conferences and academic events
- Employment-related benefits according to Norwegian rules
- International research environment in Norway
Applicants should carefully read the specific vacancy because salary, duration, duties, workplace, research group, and employment conditions may vary by position.
NTNU PhD Financing Requirement
Financing is an absolute requirement for admission to a PhD programme at NTNU. This means that applicants must have funding for the full PhD period before they can be admitted.
PhD financing may come through:
- Employment as a PhD research fellow at NTNU
- Employment as a PhD research fellow at another university or university college
- Agreement with the applicant’s regular employer
- Research Council of Norway Industrial PhD scheme
- Research Council of Norway Public Sector PhD scheme
- Other national or international scholarships
- External research project funding
For most international applicants, the most practical route is to apply for advertised PhD research fellow vacancies through the official NTNU vacancies page. These positions already include funding and are connected to a specific research project.
Eligibility Criteria for NTNU PhD Scholarships
To qualify for NTNU PhD Fellowships, applicants must meet the requirements of the specific PhD vacancy or PhD program.
General requirements include:
- Applicants must have a completed master’s degree or equivalent qualification.
- Applicants must have completed at least five years of higher education, including a master’s degree or equivalent.
- Applicants must have a strong academic record.
- Applicants should normally have a weighted average equivalent to B or higher on NTNU’s grading scale for the last two years of the master’s degree.
- Applicants must have a complete funding plan for the full PhD period.
- Applicants must meet the academic requirements of the relevant faculty or PhD programme.
- Applicants must meet the language requirements of the position or programme.
- Applicants must have a research background relevant to the advertised PhD project.
- Applicants must submit a complete application before the deadline.
If your previous education is from outside Norway, NTNU may assess your degree during the admission process. Applicants may also contact NOKUT, the Norwegian quality assurance agency, for assessment and recognition of foreign education where relevant.
Supervision Requirement
Applicants should contact the relevant research group and identify a potential supervisor as early as possible.
NTNU states that the main supervisor should normally be ready when the applicant applies for admission to the PhD programme. PhD candidates should have at least two academic supervisors, and at least one supervisor, usually the main supervisor, must be employed at NTNU.
If you apply for an advertised PhD research fellow position, the supervisor is usually connected to the project. In that case, applicants should still read the project description carefully and show in the application how their academic background fits the research group.
Fields Available at NTNU
NTNU PhD research fellowships may be available in many academic areas, depending on current vacancies.
Fields may include:
- Engineering
- Computer Science
- Artificial Intelligence
- Data Science
- Information Technology
- Natural Sciences
- Mathematics
- Physics
- Chemistry
- Biology
- Medicine
- Health Sciences
- Architecture
- Design
- Economics
- Management
- Social Sciences
- Humanities
- Education
- Energy
- Sustainability
- Marine Technology
- Climate and Environment
- Robotics
- Materials Science
- Cybersecurity
- Communication Technology
Applicants should use the official NTNU vacancies page to find current PhD openings in their field.
Required Documents for NTNU PhD Fellowships
Required documents vary by vacancy and faculty. However, applicants may need to prepare the following:
- Online application form
- Academic CV
- Motivation letter or cover letter
- Master’s degree certificate
- Bachelor’s degree certificate
- Academic transcripts
- Diploma supplement, if available
- Documentation of education obtained outside Norway
- Documentation of funding for the full PhD period
- Project description, complete or preliminary
- Research proposal, if required
- Master’s thesis or thesis abstract, if requested
- Publications or writing samples, if available
- English language documentation, if required
- Names and contact details of referees
- Recommendation letters, if requested
- Documentation of legal or ethical approvals, if relevant
- Any additional documents listed in the vacancy
For a stronger application, prepare a focused academic CV that highlights your education, thesis title, research experience, publications, technical skills, software skills, teaching experience, conferences, awards, and relevant projects. You can also use this guide to improve your CV: How to Write an Academic CV for Scholarships.
Your motivation letter should not be generic. It should explain why you are interested in the specific NTNU PhD project, how your master’s research or professional experience matches the position, and what skills you can bring to the research group. You can also read this guide: How to Write a Motivation Letter for Scholarship.
How to Apply for NTNU PhD Fellowships?
Please follow the application instructions to apply for NTNU PhD Fellowships:
(1) First, visit the official NTNU PhD admission and financing page to understand the basic requirements for doctoral admission. NTNU clearly requires a funding plan, a relevant master’s degree or equivalent, and a strong academic record. This step is important because PhD admission in Norway is different from many countries where students apply first and search for funding later.
(2) After understanding the admission requirements, visit the official NTNU vacancies page and search for current PhD research fellow positions in your field. Open only the vacancies that match your academic background, master’s thesis, research experience, technical skills, and long-term career goals.
(3) Read the vacancy carefully before preparing your application. Each PhD position has its own project description, qualification requirements, workplace, supervisor or research group, salary information, application deadline, and required documents. Do not use the same generic application for every position.
(4) Prepare your documents according to the specific vacancy. Your CV, motivation letter, transcripts, master’s thesis information, research experience, publications, and technical skills should directly match the advertised project. If the position asks for a project description, research proposal, writing sample, or documentation of ethical issues, prepare and upload those documents exactly as requested.
(5) If you are applying with external funding instead of an advertised NTNU PhD position, contact the relevant department or faculty early and find a potential supervisor. NTNU recommends contacting the research group as early as possible because the main supervisor should normally be ready when you apply for admission.
(6) Complete the online application through the application link provided in the PhD vacancy. Applications for advertised PhD research fellow positions are normally submitted through NTNU’s recruitment system or the platform linked in the vacancy notice.
(7) Before submitting, check that your application clearly proves three things: you meet the academic requirements, your background fits the research project, and your funding or advertised position covers the full PhD period.
(8) Submit your application before the position deadline. After submission, keep checking your email because shortlisted applicants may be invited for interviews, asked for additional documentation, or contacted by the department.
(9) If selected for a PhD research fellow position, follow the faculty instructions for formal admission to the PhD programme. Your PhD application is usually prepared in cooperation with your main supervisor and submitted through the department to the faculty.
Website
To know more about NTNU PhD Fellowships, please visit the official websites:
Frequently Asked Questions
What are NTNU PhD Scholarships?
NTNU PhD Scholarships usually refer to paid PhD research fellow positions at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology. Selected candidates are normally employed by NTNU and receive salary-based funding.
Are NTNU PhD Scholarships fully funded?
Yes, most advertised PhD research fellow positions at NTNU are fully funded salary-based positions. However, applicants should check the exact salary, duration, and employment conditions in each vacancy.
Is there one central NTNU PhD scholarship application?
No, NTNU does not have one central scholarship application for all PhD candidates. Most applicants apply for specific PhD research fellow vacancies announced on the NTNU vacancies page.
What is the deadline for NTNU PhD Fellowships?
The deadline varies by position. Each PhD research fellow vacancy has its own closing date.
Who can apply for NTNU PhD Fellowships?
International and Norwegian applicants with a relevant master’s degree or equivalent qualification, strong academic record, and suitable research background can apply.
What academic result is required for NTNU PhD admission?
Applicants should generally have a strong academic record, with a weighted average equivalent to B or higher on NTNU’s grading scale for the last two years of the master’s degree.
How long is a PhD at NTNU?
A PhD at NTNU is normally three years of full-time study. Some positions may be four years if they include teaching or other required duties.
Do I need a supervisor before applying?
If you apply for admission with external funding, you should contact a research group and identify a potential supervisor early. If you apply for an advertised PhD vacancy, the supervisor is usually connected to the project.
How can I apply for NTNU PhD Fellowships?
Applicants should search for open PhD research fellow positions on the official NTNU vacancies page, prepare documents according to the specific vacancy, and submit the application through the online application link provided in the vacancy.
