Overview

Innovation, Economics and Governance for Development at Maastricht University is a four-year programme offered at our institute in Maastricht, leading to a doctoral degree awarded by Maastricht University upon successful defence of the dissertation. The institute currently hosts about 100 PhD candidates, who are an integral part of the UNU-MERIT community. The UNU-MERIT PhD programme provides advanced training in the knowledge and skills relevant to the UNU-MERIT research agenda.

Career prospects

Our programme gives fellows the skills to function as professionals in many challenging environments. Our PhD fellows typically go on to work as:

Academics

Government staff

Political analysts

Policy specialists

Many of our alumni follow an academic career: roughly 65 percent of our alumni on on to work in academia. Roughly 15 percent find jobs in international non-governmental organisations including the European Union, United Nations and World Bank. Others work in research institutes such as the Institute of Development Studies (IDS) and Overseas Development Institute (ODI).

Programme Structure

Courses include:

The economics of innovation — Topics of interest include: the process of technological change and innovation; the economics of knowledge and new technologies; structural change and economic development; economic complexity and innovation.

Public policy and governance of innovation — Topics of interest include: governance and institutions; migration and development; population, development and labour economics; social protection; poverty and inequality;

Societal transformations — Topics of interest include: innovation and entrepreneurship for sustainable transitions; sustainable innovation and transformation; system transitions; innovation for the ‘Base of the Pyramid’.

Key information

Duration

Full-time
- 48 months

Start dates & application deadlines

Starting 2027-09-01 00:00:00
- Apply before 2027-02-15 00:00:00

Language

English

TOEFL^® IBT

100

Schedule TOEFL®

IELTS

7

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Delivered

On Campus

Campus Location

Maastricht, Netherlands

Disciplines

Economics International Development Public Policy

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Academic requirements

We are not aware of any specific GRE, GMAT or GPA grading score requirements for this programme.

English requirements

TOEFL^® IBT

100

Schedule TOEFL®

IELTS

7

Prepare for Your English Test

Cathoven AI IELTS Preparation

Learn your IELTS Score

AI-powered IELTS feedback. Clear, actionable, and tailored to boost your writing & speaking score. No credit card or upfront payment required.

Trusted by 300k learners
98 accuracy using real exam data
4.9/5 student rating

Other requirements

General requirements

Application letter (1-2 pages) concerning your motivation for undertaking a PhD as well as your reflections on your suitability and ambitions for the position.

Research proposal (2-3 pages) where you present the idea for the PhD project you would like to carry out, including theoretical and methodological approach.

A complete CV with information on education and previous research experience.

A copy of your passport (PDF or JPEG)

Electronic copies of certified certificates and grades, and an explanation of the grading system. Upon selection, hard copies by postal mail will be requested.

Applicants from non-English-speaking countries outside Europe must document English skills by an approved test.

One letter of recommendation (in English only) by a current or former professor or employer.

Tuition Fees

Tuition fees are shown in and the most likely applicable fee is shown based on your nationality.

International Applies to you

Applies to you

Non-residents

9000 EUR / year

≈ 9000 EUR / year
EU/EEA Applies to you

Applies to you

EU/EEA Nationals

9000 EUR / year

≈ 9000 EUR / year

Additional Details

Subsequent years: €7000

Living costs

Maastricht

Netherlands

700 - 1170 EUR / month

The living costs include the total expenses per month, covering accommodation, public transportation, utilities (electricity, internet), books and groceries.

Funding

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Scholarships Information

Below you will find PhD's scholarship opportunities for Innovation, Economics and Governance for Development.

Available Scholarships

You are eligible to apply for these scholarships but a selection process will still be applied by the provider.

About

Overview

Career prospects

Programme Structure

Key information

Duration

Start dates & application deadlines

Language

Prepare for Your English Test

Delivered

Campus Location

Disciplines

What students do after studying

Academic requirements

English requirements

Prepare for Your English Test

Other requirements

General requirements

Tuition Fees

International Applies to you

EU/EEA Applies to you

Additional Details

Living costs

Maastricht

Funding

Scholarships Information

Available Scholarships

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