Odysseus Summer School 2026 Doctoral Seminar & Grants for PhD Students in EU Migration and Asylum Law

PhD researchers working on European migration and asylum law have a unique opportunity to present their research, receive expert feedback, and potentially receive financial support through the 2026 Odysseus Summer School Doctoral Seminar.

Organized by the Odysseus Academic Network for Legal Studies on Immigration and Asylum in Europe, the doctoral seminar forms part of the prestigious Odysseus Summer School program. It offers selected doctoral candidates the opportunity to engage with leading experts in migration and asylum law while strengthening their research through constructive academic dialogue.

The program is hosted by the Odysseus Network at Université libre de Bruxelles (ULB) and aims to foster collaboration and academic excellence in European migration and asylum policy research.

About the Doctoral Seminar

The doctoral seminar is designed to support PhD researchers by providing a platform to present their thesis projects to a panel of experts drawn from members of the Odysseus Network. Participants receive detailed feedback on their research topic, structure, and methodology.

The seminar is primarily aimed at PhD students in law. However, doctoral researchers from related fields such as political science or international relations are also welcome to apply, provided their research addresses legal aspects of migration or asylum.

Participants benefit from:

• Direct feedback from renowned academics and specialists in migration and asylum law

• Advice to strengthen the research design and methodology of their doctoral thesis

• Networking opportunities with fellow researchers and experts across Europe

• Exposure to current debates in EU migration and asylum law and policy

Financial Support: Four PhD Grants Available

The Odysseus Network offers four competitive grants to support PhD students attending the summer school and doctoral seminar.

The grant covers:

• Tuition fees for the summer school (excluding the €350 deposit)

• Travel expenses

• Accommodation costs

Please note that daily subsistence and personal expenses are not included.

Grant recipients will be selected based on both their academic record and financial need. Successful applicants will also assist the coordination team with on-site organization during the summer school. This role does not interfere with their participation in the academic sessions.

Eligibility Requirement

Participation in the doctoral seminar is limited to individuals who have already registered for the Odysseus Summer School and paid the required deposit fee.

Applicants seeking financial support must clearly explain their need for funding as part of the application process.

Application Requirements

Applicants must submit a complete application package that includes:

• Cover page including the applicant’s name, PhD title, year of research progress, and supervisor’s email address

• Curriculum Vitae with detailed academic background

• Academic records for each year of study (if applicable)

• A one-page summary of the PhD research topic explaining its originality and contribution to existing knowledge

• A one-page overview outlining the structure of the doctoral thesis

• Proof of payment of the €350 deposit for the Summer School

• Letter of motivation (required for applicants requesting financial support)

All documents must be merged into a single PDF file before submission.

Application Process

To apply for the doctoral seminar and grants, applicants must:

1. Complete the registration form for the Odysseus Summer School.

2. Carefully fill out the PhD catalogue on the Odysseus website.

3. Submit the full application package by email to: odysseus@ulb.be

Incomplete applications will not be considered.

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Application Deadline

The deadline to submit applications is 15 May 2026.

Prospective applicants are encouraged to prepare their documents early to ensure a complete and competitive submission.

Contact Information

For additional details regarding the doctoral seminar or application process, applicants may contact:

Odysseus Network
Université libre de Bruxelles (ULB)
Email: odysseus@ulb.be