Thematic areas
In the 2018 round, holders of a Master’s degree can apply for research positions related to the following cross-cutting themes in the ISS research programme Global Development and Social Justice:
• Migration and diversity;
• Environment and climate change;
• Social protection and inequality;
• Conflict and peace.

The institute has a clear preference to recruit PhD students who are working on one of these themes from an interdisciplinary approach to development research. We favour proposals that speak to more than one of the four current research lines of the ISS research programme (see www.iss.nl/research/research_programmes).
Terms of the fellowships
The PhD fellowships are for a maximum period of four years, starting in 2018.
PhD students will receive a fellowship of approximately €1,750 net per month, plus an additional allowance to cover the costs of their field work, which normally takes place during the second year of the PhD programme.

The PhD fellowships are available only to citizens of countries that are not part of the European Economic Area. Candidates from African, low-income or low-middle-income countries are especially encouraged to apply.

For all fellowships, applicants should submit the following:
a.Proof of having obtained a first-class or excellent MA Degree (if applicable, a degree with GPA of at least 3.70) in one of the Social Sciences or equivalent, comprising at least four years of study at an internationally recognised university or Institute for Higher Education, as evidenced by certified copies of degrees and diplomas, and by copies of academic transcripts.
b.A research proposal in one of the areas indicated above (approx. 10 pages, 5000 words). For further guidelines and examples of proposals, see: https://www.iss.nl/en/education/phd-programme/research-proposal
c.Good command of English, both verbally and in writing, as evidenced by holding a degree from an English-speaking university or by supplying the results of a proficiency test from a recognised authority  with the following result:
IELTS: 7.0
TOEFL PBT: 600
TOEFL CBT: 250
TOEFL IBT: 100
d.Reference letters of at least three referees, who should be able to provide information about the applicant’s academic strengths.

The PhD fellowships are for a maximum period of four years, starting in 2018.

PhD students will receive a fellowship of approximately €1,750 net per month, plus an additional allowance to cover the costs of their field work, which normally takes place during the second year of the PhD programme.

The expertise of Erasmus University Rotterdam (EUR) is concentrated in the fields of Business Administration, Economics, Medicine and Health Sciences, Law, Psychology, Pedagogical and Educational Sciences, Sociology, Public Administration, History, Arts and Culture, Media and Communication, Philosophy, and International Development Studies. In addition to the initial degree programmes and scientific research, the University offers specific postgraduate study programmes and courses. Erasmus University has around 25,000 students and some 2,500 staff members.

The International Institute of Social Studies (ISS) is a leading academic centre for international development studies in The Hague and is part of the EUR. It is a post-graduate institute of policy-oriented critical social science, founded in 1952. The institute offers a PhD in Development Studies, a 15.5-month MA in Development studies with five Majors, and several post-graduate Diploma courses.

ISS is a highly diverse international community of scholars and students from the global South and the North hailing from over 50 different countries. It brings together people, ideas and insights in a multidisciplinary setting which nurtures, fosters and promotes critical thinking and conducts innovative research into fundamental social problems. The strong partnerships with organizations and individuals in developing countries make up a network where we co-create knowledge so that teaching and research remain socially relevant. Key to the ISS philosophy and practice is the wish to make a contribution to achieving social justice and equity on a global level. Our research focuses on understanding developmental problems that exist in different parts of the world. With our teaching ISS aims to train our students to be global critical citizens, professionals and change agents who are able to make a difference in the world. ISS also acquires and manages externally funded projects for teaching, research and capacity building from a wide range of donors, including NWO, Nuffic, European Commission, among others.