Highlights
Tuition fee
Unknown
Tuition fee
Unknown
Duration
36 months
Duration
36 months
Apply date
Anytime
Unknown
Apply date
Anytime
Unknown
Start date
Anytime
Unknown
Start date
Anytime
Unknown
Campus location
Utrecht, Netherlands
Campus location
Utrecht, Netherlands
Taught in
English
Taught in
English

About

The research area of Drug Innovation at the Utrecht University is best described by the multidisciplinary collaboration of chemists, biologists, pharmacists, biomedical and clinical scientists, in order to translate scientific hypotheses to products for care, cure and prevention of diseases. 

Overview

At Utrecht University, we aim to perform ground breaking, exploratory research in areas, which are the supports of Drug Innovation: disease targets, bio-active molecules, drug targeting and action and evaluation. 

This will ultimately lead to the molecules, methods, concepts and approaches, which are so indispensable for the successful outcome of drug development in the pharmaceutical industry and medicines used in society.

Features 

  • The focus is shifting to the high hanging fruit of peptides, proteins, nucleotides and even more advanced medical products like (stem) cells. 
  • These Future Medicines offer major scientific challenges for translation. For example, the key success factor for gene therapy and exon skipping is successful delivery to cells.

Programme Structure

Curriculum:

  • The five research groups of UIPS (see figure) have their different specialties. 
  • The Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery group makes mimics of proteins, carbohydrates and peptides. 
  • The Pharmaceutics group targets proteins and genes to cells and innovates the regulation of biotech products. 
  • The Biomolecular Mass Spectrometry and Proteomics group excels in proteomics of stem cells, biomarkers and glycoprotein analysis. 
  • The Pharmacology group focuses on immune and microbiome modulation by medical nutrition, but also on regenerative medicine and organ-on-a-chip technology. 

Key information

Duration

  • Full-time
    • 36 months

Start dates & application deadlines

You can apply for and start this programme anytime.
More details

A PhD trajectory starts at any point throughout the year. 

Language

English
TOEFL® IBT
100
PTE Academic
70
IELTS
7

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  • 98 accuracy using real exam data
  • 4.9/5 student rating

Delivered

On Campus

Campus Location

  • Utrecht, Netherlands

What students do after studying

Join for free or log in to access our complete career info list.

Academic requirements

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

English requirements

TOEFL® IBT
100
PTE Academic
70
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

  • The PhD programme is open to candidates having a Dutch or equivalent international MSc in Life Sciences (e.g. Pharmaceutical, Chemical or Biomedical Sciences). 
  • Depending on the research project the PhD student is entering, he/she should have the required theoretical and lab-skill background. 
  • PhD candidates should be team-players with good communication skills, should have a high degree of achievement drive and initiative and should have a good knowledge of English (both writing and speaking). 

Tuition Fees

Additional Details

Unlike PhD students directly employed by the university, fellowship and external PhD students are required to pay a tuition fee.

Living costs

Utrecht

Netherlands
900 - 1450 EUR / month

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

Funding

In order for us to give you accurate scholarship information, we ask that you please confirm a few details and create an account with us.

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Scholarships Information

Below you will find PhD's scholarship opportunities for Drug Innovation.

Available Scholarships

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

Independent provider
Grant
Various benefits
Deadline
07 Oct 2026
Fulbright U.S. Student Program

Read more about eligibility

U.S. government
Location not available
Independent provider
Grant
1000 USD
Deadline
30 Nov 2026
ServiceScape Scholarship

Read more about eligibility

ServiceScape
Location not available
Independent provider
Grant
3500 USD
Deadline
15 Nov 2026
ACES Scholarships

Read more about eligibility

ACES Education Fund
Location not available
Independent provider
Grant
Various benefits
Deadline
Not specified
Erasmus+ - Grants for study mobility
Merit-based

Read more about eligibility

OeAD, Austria's Agency for Education and Internationalisation
Location not available
Independent provider
Grant
1550 EUR
Deadline
31 Oct 2026
ELES-Scholarship (Ernst-Ludwig-Ehrlich-Studienwerk)

Read more about eligibility

Austria’s Agency for Education and Internationalisation
Location not available
Independent provider
Grant
10000 USD
Deadline
01 Sep 2026
The PhD Prep Fellowship
Merit-based

Read more about eligibility

Admit Lab
Location not available
Independent provider
Grant
5000 USD
Deadline
28 Aug 2026
Women Scholarship for International Students
Merit-based

Read more about eligibility

educations.com
Location not available
Independent provider
Grant
1000 USD
Deadline
13 Jul 2026
Dream Chaser Scholarship
Merit-based

Read more about eligibility

Salvado Law
Location not available
Independent provider
Grant
1000 USD
Deadline
31 Oct 2026
$1,500 Annual Video Contest Scholarship
Merit-based

Read more about eligibility

IvyPanda
Location not available
Independent provider
Grant
1000 USD
Deadline
31 Oct 2026
BOC Sciences Chemistry Scholarship Program
Merit-based

Read more about eligibility

BOCSCI Inc.
Location not available
Independent provider
Grant
3000 USD
Deadline
31 Dec 2026
Scholarship for students with disabilities
Need-based

Read more about eligibility

Anonymous Hope Fund
Location not available
Independent provider
Grant
Various benefits
Deadline
31 Dec 2026
Grants of the Leopold Figl Foundation for students with residence in Lower Austria
Need-based

Read more about eligibility

Leopold Figl Foundation
Location not available
Independent provider
Grant
1000 USD
Deadline
30 Jun 2026
$1,500 Annual Students’ Presentation Crafting Scholarship

Read more about eligibility

IvyPanda
Location not available
Independent provider
Grant
12000 USD
Deadline
11 Jan 2027
Tobacco Harm Reduction Scholarship Programme

Read more about eligibility

The Tobacco Harm Reduction Scholarship Programme
Location not available
Independent provider
Grant
1000 USD
Deadline
20 May 2026
PlagiarismSearch Essay Contest
Merit-based

Read more about eligibility

PlagiarismSearch
Location not available
Independent provider
Grant
1500 USD
Deadline
Not specified
The Annual IELTS from 6 to 9 Scholarship

Read more about eligibility

IELTS from 6 to 9
Location not available
Independent provider
Grant
3000 USD
Deadline
Not specified
AAPG Foundation Grants-in-Aid

Read more about eligibility

American Association of Petroleum Geologists Foundation
Location not available

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