FAQ

• 1. I would like to do a mobility stay in a Swiss institution. Is this possible?

  No, because Doc-Mobility funding is only available for stays abroad. It is therefore not possible to carry out a Doc.Mobility stay in an institution in Switzerland.
• 2. Is it possible to stay at two different host institutions?

  A stay at a single institution is preferred. However, if you wish to apply for a mobility period at two host institutions, you must submit a written request, giving the reasons for your request, (covering letter and mandatory letter of recommendation required from the director).
• 3. I'd like to know whether I'll have to pay tax if I receive a Doc-Mobility grant, and if so, how much ?

  Taxation of the scholarship is not the responsibility of the University of Geneva. We recommend that you contact your cantonal tax office for further information.
• 4. From when and until when can I go on a Doc-Mobility stay?

  From February of the year following the submission of your application and up to a maximum of 12 months after receipt of the letter awarding the DM grant/subsidy. 
• 5. How do I get my registration certificate?

  The attestation of registration for the semester is available by logging on to portail.unige.ch. However, to have access to the attestation, you must have paid the fees for the semester in question. You can print a registration certificate for the current semester as well as for the previous semesters.
• 6. Is it possible to receive a Doc-Mobility scholarship for a stay of less than 6 months?

  No, it is not possible to apply for a scholarship for less than 6 months.
• 7. Can I apply for a mobility grant for a period of 12 months?

  The Doc.Mobility scholarship allows in principle a mobility stay of 6 months. In exceptional cases, stays of up to 12 months can be granted upon written request. Please note that IHEID only allows stays of 6 months.
• 8. Do I need to include a letter of recommendation/support from my thesis supervisor with my application?

  a) The mandatory letter of recommendation is requested directly from your thesis supervisor via the submission platform.

  b) You can attach an optional letter of support in the area reserved for this purpose on the submission platform.

   
• 9. I have already received a Doc.Mobility scholarship. Can I apply a second time?

  No, a Doc-Mobility scholarship can only be obtained once.
• 10. I want to participate in a summer school. Can I apply for a Doc.Mobility scholarship to finance this activity?

  No, because the aim of Doc.Mobility is to finance a research stay abroad in the framework of the thesis. Doc.Mobility does not support training stays, such as Summer Schools.
• 11. I am about to submit my thesis. Is it possible to apply for a Doc-Mobility scholarship?

  The mobility period must end no later than one semester before the date set for the thesis defence, unless an exemption is granted on written request; (covering letter and mandatory letter of recommendation required from the director).
• 12. I am required to be registered at UNIGE or IHEID for at least two semesters in order to benefit from a Doc-Mobility grant, is this on the date of submission or on the date of the beginning of the stay?

  Registration must have taken place at least two semesters before the submission deadline. In special cases, you may ask for an exception by submitting a duly justified written statement; (covering letter and mandatory letter of recommendation required from the director).
• 13. I am working on my budget, can I include university taxes and conference costs ?

  No, university fees and conference costs cannot be financed by Doc.Mobility grants.
• 14. I am a PhD student with a disability. How much will my disability allowance be?

  The amount of the allowance is decided on a case-by-case basis. We invite you to estimate the amount you need and COREC will be able to decide on your request. As the basis of calculation, please refer to the document entitled “Amount of grants and travel expenses”.
• 15. I need help filling out my application: what should I do?

  A document entitled Guidelines for submission is available on the Doc-Mobility’s online submission form. Please read it carefully and follow the recommendations. If you have any specific questions, please contact [email protected]
• 16. After I submit my application, how long will it take for me to receive an award or rejection?

  Decisions are usually released before the end of the calendar year during which the application took place (for example, decision in November 2024 after an application deadline in June 2024.)
• 17. I would like to go to a country that is not listed in the document “Grant amounts and travel expenses”. Is it possible to go there?

  It is possible for PhD students to stay in any country, as long as the host university provides the quality conditions expected for the completion of your project. The countries mentioned in the document “Grant amounts and travel expenses” are only indicative. The amounts provided serve as a basis for calculating your budget (depending on the geographical area).
• 18. The scientific project is 5000 words long, are footnotes included? Can bibliographical references be added as footnotes?

  We do not recommend the use of footnotes, which in any case are included in the 5000 words; it is not possible to add bibliographical references as footnotes.
• 19. After submitting my application, I realise that I've inserted a document in the wrong zone in relation to what I was asked to do. How can I make the change?

  Please write to [email protected], who will be able to give you access to your application if necessary.
• 20. What is the difference between a mobility scholarship and a complementary grant?

  There are two types of scholarships: 

  • The "mobility scholarship" covers the doctoral student's personal maintenance and travel expenses.

  • The "complementary grant" is aimed at doctoral student with an ongoing work contract or other assistance with living and travel expenses. Please note that IHEID only offers mobility grants.
• 21. I would like to benefit from a Doc-Mobility grant. What steps should I take with regard to the university, my work/salary contract, my permit application, my visa application, etc.?

  - Each Doc-Mobility applicant is responsible for the administrative formalities with his/her administrative supervisor within the University and with the competent authorities outside the University.
  - As regards the continuation or interruption of the assistant's contract during the stay abroad, the doctoral student must discuss the terms and conditions of his/her mobility stay with his/her thesis director.
• 22. I received a denial of my Doc.mobility scholarship application, I do not understand the decision, what should I do ?

  Doc.Mobility grants are awarded on a competitive basis through a ranking of all applications received. It is therefore a competition. In case of incomprehension in front of the negative answer, you can :

  - Contact the Doc.Mobility team in order to meet with a representative of the Research Commission so that he or she can explain the reasons for your failure

    and/or

  - Resubmit your application in a future Doc.Mobility call, taking into account the comments of the evaluators contained in the rejection letter. 
• 23. I would like to go on a mobility stay with my spouse. Is it possible to receive an allowance for him/her?

  No, unfortunately it is not possible to receive an allowance for your spouse. However, you can request an allowance for children under the age of 6 who are in your care and who accompany you during the mobility stay. This allowance amounts to CHF 500 per month per child.
• 24. My mobility stay dates are uncertain, what should I do?

  When submitting your request on the Optimy platform, you must indicate a start and end date for your stay. However, you can change these dates after informing the COREC office [email protected]. Please note that you have a maximum of one year from the date your scholarship is awarded (date your letter of award is sent) to complete your stay.
• 25. I'm a co-supervising doctoral student. Can I get a Doc.Mobility grant?

  Yes, doctoral students in joint supervision are eligible for a Doc.Mobility grant. However, you will not be able to spend your mobility period at the institution with which you are co-supervised.
• 26. If I got a mobility scholarship, can I ask for additional funds during my mobility stay?

  No, it is not possible to obtain additional money during your stay. We invite you to prepare your budget carefully, taking into account the information provided here.

   
• 27. How can I connect to the Application platform?

  You must use your ISIS login and password to connect to the platform.
• 28. I obtained my Master's degree more than 10 years ago. Can I still apply for a Doc.Mobility scholarship?

  We can consider your application depending on the justification of your director of thesis and you provide in your application.
• 29. I've clicked on "Forgot your password?" but I haven't received the e-mail containing the link to set a new password.

  There are 3 possible explanations:

  • The email address you entered when you made your request does not match any address in our database. In this case, please check which email address you used when you created your account (a confirmation email was sent to you) and make a new password request based on this address.
  • You made a typing error when entering the email address to which the link to create a new password should be sent. Please click on "Forgot your password?" again and enter the correct email address.
  • You did not enter the correct email address when you created your account. Please contact [email protected] and ask for your email address to be corrected.

  Please note: if you have made several password requests for the same email address, only the last link received will be valid.
• 30. I clicked on "Forgot your password?" but I get an error message when I click on the link I received by email.

  If you have made several password requests for the same email address, only the last link received will be valid.
• 31. I click on "Next screen" in the form but I'm still on the same page.

  If you are using Internet Explorer 7 or 8, please try again with a higher version (Internet Explorer from version 9) or with Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome, Edge, etc.
• 32. How can I re-read the first part of my project?

  You can re-read your project by :

  • opening the PDF that was sent to you by email on the day you validated and sent the first part of your project

  • going to the "My account/Manage my projects" section and clicking on the "View" link under the first part of your project
• 33. I have invited a guest to complete my project. How do I know if he/she logged in to the form and completed his/her section?

  Once the person you have invited has completed their section and clicked on "Validate and send", you will automatically receive an email.
• 34. I try to connect and I get to this page: "INVALID LINK ARE YOU SURE YOU HAVE A RECENT LINK? Please check with the person who sent you the link. DID YOU CLICK ON A LINK FROM AN EMAIL OR ENTER IT BY HAND? Please try copying and pasting the link into your browser's address bar. If you contact us, please provide us with the following error code: invalidLoginCsrfToken."

  If you are sure you have the right address, please check whether cookies are enabled in your browser by clicking on the link below:

  https://www.whatismybrowser.com/are-cookies-enabled. If the answer is "yes", you will need to delete the cookies.

  Here's how to delete them, depending on the browser you're using:

  http: //www.commentcamarche.net/faq/1999-supprimer-ses-cookies.
• 35. When does the automatic backup apply?

  • every 2 minutes

  • every 30 seconds after an answer has been given or a change has been made

  • after a first answer has been given and after you have started answering a second question

  • by clicking on "previous screen" or "next screen".

  • by clicking on another screen in the left-hand menu