Practical Information for PhD Students

Progress Review assesses the doctoral student's progress in doctoral studies. Doctoral students submit in the first semester of their studies an Individual Study and Research Plan covering the entire study period. In this document it is agreed on what workload and with what schedule the doctoral student will do his/her research. 

The application terms are flexible, and the grant can be used for various activities. Applications can be submitted on an ongoing basis, and for the period of March 1, 2024, to February 28, 2025, the maximum grant amount has been set at 2500 euros.

Who can apply?

• Doctoral students (including junior research fellows, doctoral student, and knowledge transfer doctoral fellows) who have been enrolled since the 2022/2023 academic year.
• Full-time doctoral students who were enrolled before the 2022/2023 academic year.

When and how often can you apply?

• Continuously throughout the year.
• Maximum of 5 times in a 12-month period (application period March 1 - February 28).
• Maximum of 4 (consecutive) years.

How much can you apply for?

• The maximum amount is set annually based on the university's budget (in 2024, it was 2500 euros).
• Long-term mobility (over 3 months): it is possible to apply for up to double the amount, but the remaining part will be deducted from the following year's grant.

What can the money be used for?

• Attending conferences (if giving a presentation).
• Open access publishing.
• Mobility related to the doctoral thesis.
• Membership fees for scientific networks.

Other important points

• Approval: The application must be approved by the doctoral thesis supervisor and the institute director, and the application should be sent to the research fund contact person (Tõnu Idnurm).
• Combination: The grant can be combined with other funding sources.
• Cost budget: Sources of income must be clearly distinguished in the cost budget.

How to apply?

• Doctoral students who have an employment contract with the university can find application instructions on the TLU intranet.
• Doctoral students who do not have an employment contract with the university are assisted in applying by their institute. Please contact the head of research administration at your institute.

• Salary of the Junior Research Fellow is at least 1800 EUR per month in the year 2024. 
• Doctoral allowance is a monetary allowance granted to a person in Doctoral studies pursuant to requirements established in Study Allowances and Study Loans Act to enable commitment to Doctoral studies and research and to cover the expenses related to the acquisition of education. Available for PhD students matriculated before the academic year 2022/2023.
• Tallinn University doctoral scholarship's aim is to support doctoral students’ completion of studies and defence of the doctoral thesis during the nominal period of studies. Available for PhD students matriculated in the academic year 2019/2020, 2020/2021 or 2021/2022.

• Tallinn University Regulations for Doctoral Studies and Defence of Doctoral Theseses
• Electronic Publishing Contract
• Rules on the legal protection of intellectual property at Tallinn University
• Tallinn University Guidelines for Formatting A Doctoral Thesis
• Examples for thesis in English
• Examples for thesis in Russian