Total hours
Course hours required
Other activities
ONWAR offers a comprehensive training program for PhD candidates conducting neuroscience research at our participating institutes. Our mission is to provide students with a broad overview of the field, enabling them to excel in multidisciplinary brain research and enhancing their career prospects both nationally and internationally.
To achieve this, the curriculum balances specialized PhD research and related coursework with broader professional development. This includes training in presentational skills, grant writing, and advanced courses on the physiology and pathology of the Central Nervous System (CNS).
PhD candidates are appointed at participating departments or institutes. A contract is prepared between the candidate and the appointing organization, describing the training and supervision plan.
In order to enrol in the graduate school, the training and supervision plan must be approved by the ONWAR teaching committee and directory board.
Enrollment is completed after approval by the ONWAR committees and confirmation by the graduate school.
Educational background
PhD candidates who want to enroll in ONWAR are expected to hold a MSc. degree in the field of neuroscience.
If this is not the case, the teaching committee will assess the candidate’s curriculum and may request the candidate to follow a general introductory course in neuroscience, which is provided through the Master’s program of the participating universities.
The ONWAR training program consists of courses and additional mandatory training activities. Together they are accumulating to at least 404 hours of training.
ONWAR organizes specialized courses covering theoretical and practical aspects of neuroscience. Participants are encouraged to attend courses beyond their own PhD topic to broaden their knowledge of the field.
If a course is not listed in the training and supervision plan template, please consult the ONWAR coordinator.
To reach the total of 260 hours, PhD candidates may include courses on other relevant topics.
For non-ONWAR courses, proof of participation must be shared with the ONWAR coordinator.
Participation in the ONWAR introductory course is mandatory for all ONWAR PhD candidates.
Annual meetings are organized where PhD candidates from all participating institutes meet to present and discuss the progress of their research.
ONWAR organizes an annual lecture series to highlight developments in the neurosciences. Lectures are held approximately six times per year by renowned neuroscientists.
Activities not counted toward training hours
If you have successfully completed the full ONWAR training program at the end of your PhD trajectory, you qualify for the ONWAR certificate.
Information on requesting the certificate, as well as other topics relevant to the final stage of your PhD, can be found on the Finishing your PhD page.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, ONWAR applies a COVID compensation regulation. Details are available on the Finishing your PhD page.
