Studentship Agreement Template for Netherlands

A Studentship Agreement spells out the terms between a Dutch university or research institution and a PhD candidate who receives funding for their doctoral research. It covers key aspects like the research topic, supervision arrangements, and financial support during the doctorate program.

Under Dutch higher education law, these agreements protect both parties by clearly stating rights and obligations, including teaching duties, intellectual property rights, and research milestones. They're especially important for international students since they outline visa requirements and confirm the student's status as a temporary university employee with associated benefits like health insurance and pension contributions.

Use a Studentship Agreement when offering funded PhD positions at Dutch universities or research institutions. This agreement becomes essential before the candidate begins their research work, typically during the final stages of the PhD admission process or when securing research funding.

The timing matters most when dealing with international candidates who need visa documentation, or when research involves sensitive intellectual property or external funding partners. Dutch universities need these agreements in place before the PhD candidate can access facilities, receive their first payment, or begin collaborative work with industry partners or other academic institutions.

• Standard Research Studentship: Covers basic funded PhD positions with regular teaching duties and research obligations
• Industry-Partnered Agreement: Includes additional IP provisions and confidentiality clauses for corporate-funded research
• Joint Degree Studentship: Used for PhD candidates working between multiple Dutch institutions or international partners
• Teaching-Focused Agreement: Emphasizes higher teaching commitments in exchange for funding
• External Grant Agreement: Tailored for PhDs funded through NWO or EU research grants with specific reporting requirements

• PhD Candidates: Sign the agreement and commit to research objectives, teaching duties, and institutional policies
• University Legal Departments: Draft and review agreements to ensure compliance with Dutch education law
• Academic Supervisors: Specify research requirements and oversee the candidate's progress
• HR Departments: Handle employment aspects, benefits administration, and visa documentation
• Research Grant Organizations: Review agreements when providing external funding
• Industry Partners: Participate when funding research or establishing intellectual property rights

• Research Details: Define the exact PhD topic, timeline, and expected outcomes
• Funding Information: Document salary, research budget, and any external funding sources
• Supervision Structure: List primary and secondary supervisors with their departments
• Teaching Requirements: Specify expected teaching hours and responsibilities
• Legal Compliance: Check Dutch higher education regulations and university policies
• IP Rights: Clarify ownership of research outputs and publication rights
• Administrative Details: Gather visa requirements, insurance details, and pension arrangements

• Parties' Details: Full legal names of university, student, and supervisors
• Project Scope: Research topic, objectives, and expected completion timeline
• Employment Terms: Salary, working hours, and employee status under Dutch law
• Research Obligations: Specific duties, milestones, and progress reporting requirements
• Intellectual Property: Rights allocation and publication agreements
• Confidentiality: Data protection and research secrecy provisions
• Termination Conditions: Process for early completion or withdrawal
• Dispute Resolution: Dutch jurisdiction and applicable university procedures

A Studentship Agreement differs significantly from an Advisory Agreement, though both are used in academic settings. While a Studentship Agreement governs a PhD candidate's research and employment terms, an Advisory Agreement typically covers external expert consultation relationships with universities.

• Employment Status: Studentship Agreements create an employee-employer relationship with associated benefits, while Advisory Agreements establish independent contractor relationships
• Duration and Commitment: Studentship Agreements usually span 3-4 years with full-time dedication, whereas Advisory Agreements are often shorter-term or project-based
• Intellectual Property Rights: PhD students' research outputs typically belong to the university, while advisors often retain rights to their expertise and pre-existing IP
• Compensation Structure: Studentship Agreements include regular salary and benefits, while Advisory Agreements usually specify hourly rates or project fees