A Training and Supervision Plan (TSP) is compulsory for all PhD candidates admitted to the Graduate School.

Purpose and preparation of the TSP

The Training and Supervision Plan (TSP; opleidings- en begeleidingsplan OBP) must be filled in by the PhD candidate and their (co-)supervisors in joint consultation at the start of the PhD track. In this document you make agreements about your supervision and your academic and personal development.

When you have agreed upon the TSP with you supervisor, the PhD candidate should send the signed document directly to the Graduate School Office. 

• Internal PhD candidates and contract (scholarship) PhD candidates must submit the TSP within three months following the formal start date of their PhD track.
• Externally financed and external PhD candidates must submit the TSP within six months after the admission date.

The Graduate School Office will then register the TSP in Converis.

What the TSP should contain

The TSP will in any case, but not exclusively, contain agreements about:

• Who will act as the supervisor(s) and (if applicable) co-supervisor(s), for the PhD candidate, the further supervision and the content, responsibilities, scope and frequency of the supervision.
• The GROW interviews (the annual Conversations on Performance, Development and Well-being; Gesprekken over Resultaat, Ontwikkeling en Welzijn). These are compulsory for employed PhD candidates and recommended for all other PhD candidates;
• The preparation for the ‘go/no go’ decision and the time when this decision will be made.
• The required courses and training.
• Teaching duties (if applicable)

The TSP will also specify at which stage of the PhD track these various activities will take place. For PhD candidates with employee status, the TSP is an integral part of the employment contract. In addition to the TSP, you will also draw up a data management plan (DMP), in which you account for your data collection and management. A condition for admission to the PhD defence is that you have successfully completed your training plan (all the agreed courses have been passed).

Keeping your TSP up-to-date

Please note that the TSP is a living document: additions and, where necessary, adjustments will be made after one year. It is also advisable to keep the TSP up to date after this; you should discuss the agreements and timeline during progress interviews and/or the GROW interviews.

As background information for your training and supervision plan we would advise you to read:

• The Golden Rules for PhD supervision: They offer a range of best practices for both the PhD candidate and the supervisors. These 'rules of conduct' emphasise the shared responsibility of the supervisor and PhD candidate. They also make it clear what expectations they both may have.
• The Guideline for PhD Trajectories, which lay down the minimum requirements for supervision, among other things.