The MOSAIC 3.0 PhD scholarship programme, recently announced by NWO, expands opportunities for talented researchers from underrepresented backgrounds to pursue a PhD in the Netherlands. The programme is designed to strengthen diversity, intellectual breadth, and long-term equity within Dutch academia. Stephanie Forkel, Tenured Professor and Head of the Clinical Neuroanatomy of Language Research Group at Radboud University, invites prospective PhD candidates interested in cognitive neuroscience, brain connectivity, or language research to explore hosting possibilities within her research network at the Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour.

The MOSAIC 3.0 programme specifically targets junior researchers at the master's level who have not yet obtained a PhD. The expanded eligibility now includes researchers with a non-western migrant background, refugee researchers, and researchers from Ukraine under the Temporary Protection Directive. For Dutch researchers with a migration background, a bachelor's degree obtained in the Kingdom of the Netherlands is required. The programme aims to provide access to a scientific career for groups who are still underrepresented in science, with a focus on diversity and inclusion.

Applicants are expected to submit high-quality research proposals in relevant fields such as cognitive neuroscience, neuroanatomy, brain connectivity, and language research. The MOSAIC 3.0 call is expected to open in the second quarter of the year, with the final round of the related Hestia programme closing on March 3, 2026. Funding is provided for PhD positions, though specific stipend amounts and tuition coverage details are not specified in the announcement.

Interested candidates are encouraged to contact Professor Stephanie Forkel to discuss potential hosting and support within her research group. For more information, candidates should review the MOSAIC 3.0 programme details on the NWO website and prepare their application materials accordingly. This is an excellent opportunity for researchers passionate about cognitive neuroscience, language, and brain research to join a leading academic environment at Radboud University and contribute to advancing diversity in Dutch academia.