The University of the Greater Region forms a genuinely world-class research network. The six UniGR universities and their numerous institutes cover a wide variety of research fields and offer extensive opportunities to PhD students and researchers.

It is now easy for a PhD student to give his or her thesis a European dimension thanks to the UniGR: cooperation arrangements that already exist between research teams and the geographical proximity of the universities facilitate the organisation of joint PhD supervision arrangements considerably, and this has been further reinforced with the introduction of a UniGR European PhD label. Immersion in a different PhD training system and scientific culture and the experience of a different university can give the PhD student new skills that can prove very advantageous in an ever more globalised job market.

Carrying out research within the University of the Greater Region network also means having access to a strong research infrastructure, including rare equipment. And so that the results of the research can find practical applications on an international scale, the Greater Region's establishments work to facilitate the transfer of technologies and innovation at individual level and are involved in a joint process of reflection on the best practices that can be introduced to help researchers to make the most of their research.

Researchers and PhD students who wish to spend a period in a partner university or set up a cooperation project may be eligible for funding from numerous sources. A further argument in favour of carrying out research at "Greater Region" level, within a framework that combines proximity and excellence.   

• Expansion of cross-border doctorate training
• Using high quality infrastructure
• An enhanced studying offer focussing on intercultural skills
• Increased cooperation in teaching and research between the six universities