Research Project

Normally, a Research Project (Part 1 + Part 2) runs for 3 periods/terms. Holidays, courses, or other activities (such as working on the thesis part-time) may lead to a Research Project that takes slightly longer. 

Specifically: 

• The minimum duration of Part 1 is 10-11 weeks. 
• The minimum duration of Part 2 is 17-18 weeks. 

Both the above assume full-time work and no absences. In planning your Research Project, please make sure to add extra and appropriate time for absences (e.g., supervisor or student holidays, courses, or other activities). Please also add to Part 2 two extra weeks for grading. Increase the duration appropriately if you are going to work on the Research Project part-time.

If your project takes place outside UU, for example at a company, an internship contract is required.

Arrange the internship contract before submitting your application form in Osiris.

The internship contract has to be checked and signed by the Research Project Coordinators, Rebecca Puyk and Noor Weelink, on behalf of the UU via science.internshipcontracts@uu.nl. Once your internship contract has been checked and signed by the UU, you can upload it with your application form in Osiris (for more information on that, go to the page 'Getting Started').

The contract options are as follows:

• The Universities of the Netherlands (UNL) internship contract is preferred for an external project inside the Netherlands.
• The EAIE contract is preferred for an external project outside of the Netherlands.
• The host organisation may have their own internship contract, provided that it meets the requirements of Utrecht University.

There can only be one internship contract, so please discuss this with the host organisation carefully. We advise students to first discuss their internship (contract) with their supervisor before signing.

Penalty clause (a fine)

The Faculty and Utrecht University strongly discourage signing an internship contract provided by an external organisation which contains a penalty clause (a fine).

Please be aware: We will not co-sign any internship contract which contains a penalty clause (fine).

Going abroad? You need to take these extra steps:

• If your project is outside of the Netherlands, you also have to do a Stay Abroad request in Osiris after receiving approval by the Board of Examiners. Information about this can be found on the webpage Stay Abroad.
• Please read the whole page carefully. If you have questions please contact the International Office. Be aware that arranging a project abroad takes time.
• You might find this checklist useful during the organisation of your traineeship abroad.
• It is important to check the travel advice for your destination given by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Please type in your destination on the website (in Dutch). If your country has orange or red areas your Stay Abroad request cannot be validated.

Students with a project from 1 September 2024:

This is what you need to do if you foresee a delay of your Research Project or extension/addition to the project is necessary.

The protocol*

1. The student and examiners need to finish the Research Project before the in Osiris Zaak specified end date. The end date is the last date by which the final grade is determined. The end date is based on full-time study.
2. If the end date cannot be met, the student, first and second examiner agree on a new end date. This new end date will be passed on to the Board of Examiners by the student via Osiris Student > ‘My Cases’> ‘Start Case’  > ‘Request to the Board of Examiners’ > ‘request type ‘New end date thesis project’. This needs to happen before the initial end date is reached. Valid reasons for agreeing on a new end date can be both personal circumstances and research-related circumstances.
3. The student and examiners can impose an examination on the agreed end date. In the case the other party does not agree with this, they can turn to the programme leader. A student who due to circumstances beyond their control cannot be present during examination can request the Board of Examiners for a special testing provision.

The student and/or examiners can turn to the Board of Examiners in cases of disagreement on the implementation of this protocol or other conflicts not covered by this protocol. In these cases, the Board of Examiners decides in line with the spirit of this protocol.

*This protocol is translated from the Dutch version in the EER/OER and no rights can be derived from any errors in translation.

Students with a Research Project from before 1 September 2024:

This is what you need to do if you, due to circumstances beyond your control, foresee a delay of your Research Project in Part 1 or Part 2.

The procedure:

1. Discuss this first with your supervisor(s). If all agree a new realistic end date will be set for the Research Project.
2. After that, contact the Study Advisor and the programme coordinator and ask for consent to determine a new end date for your thesis.
3. Apply for an extension of the research project deadline for Part 1 or Part 2 to the Board of Examiners via Osiris Student > ‘My Cases’> ‘Start Case’  > ‘Request to the Board of Examiners’ > ‘request type 7 'Delay of research or thesis project'.

What information is needed for the application form:

• A statement from the Study Advisor
• A copy of an email in which the supervisors support the request for a deadline extension
• A proposed new deadline
• Short statement to support your request

To get an overview of what MBI Science Research Projects looks like, you can consult previous theses online.