Programme information
The objective of the programme is to support fellows in setting up, carrying out and finishing a research project leading to a PhD, alongside a regular job. Please note that GPAC² participants will not be employed by Maastricht University. For more information, see the GPAC² page.
GPAC² workload
The first year of the programme requires participants to undertake about 16 weeks of full-time work, including being present full-time in Maastricht for six weeks. In the following years fellows are required to attend two periods of one week each including progress discussions, skills training and courses.
We expect the fellows to finish their PhD proposal after one year and their PhD research project in four to five years, depending on the time they can spend on their research and on their research expertise before joining the programme.
GPAC² training programme structure
The training programme consists of the following five main elements:
a basic training programme in year one of the programme, provided in Maastricht. This basic training programme consists of three visiting periods of two weeks each. Course modules are compulsory for all fellows and will be assessed by the tutors
a personal training programme that guarantees flexibility at an individual level according to the skills and qualifications of the fellows and their external work obligations. Attendance of two modules of one week per year with advanced GPAC² cohorts at the School
online course modules in governance and political science, statistics, mathematics, economics
yearly workshops and research conferences to assist and monitor the research progress of the fellows and to integrate the fellows in the research community of the School
personal supervision and monitoring during the entire programme by staff members of the School and the partner institutes
In addition to the compulsory modules specifically designed for the programme, the fellows are welcome to participate in the regular MGSoG events, including:
PhD courses in the fulltime PPPA PhD programme
- School of Governance seminar series (SGSS)
- Research conferences
Compulsory modules & research proposal
In total, the GPAC² fellows must attend three two-week assessed course modules during the first nine months of the programme. In addition to the coursework during the visiting periods, the fellows are expected to prepare a detailed research proposal. This proposal will be presented to and discussed with their other GPAC² fellows and research staff of the School during each visit to Maastricht. The content of the course modules will be communicated to the fellows at the start of the programme. The courses are offered in a workshop format.
In addition to traditional educational methods, the School offers an e-learning environment and online learning programmes.
Programme flexibility
The GPAC² training programme allows for maximal flexibility, without jeopardising academic rigour and standards. To allow for individual participants to combine their coursework with their professional life or with their research ambitions and needs, the GPAC² Programme Director, in agreement with the GPAC² programme committee, can make adjustments to the programme which may include rearrangement or replacement of programme elements.
