How to Choose the Right PhD Research Topic and Supervisor in Europe (A Kenyan Applicant’s Guide)

For Kenyan students aiming to pursue a fully funded PhD in Europe, the most important decision is not the university, the country, or even the scholarship. It is choosing the right research topic and matching it with the right supervisor.

In Europe, PhDs are research-based, supervisor-driven, and funding-dependent. If your topic aligns with a supervisor’s work and existing funding pipelines, admission becomes easier and funding becomes realistic.

This guide is written specifically for Kenyan applicants and international students, based on how European universities actually select PhD candidates.

1. Understand the European PhD System (Critical for Kenyan Applicants)

Unlike the US system, European PhDs are not classroom programs. They are research jobs. You are selected because your work fits into an existing research ecosystem.

  • PhDs are tied to funded research projects
  • Supervisors control admission
  • Funding follows topic alignment
  • You apply to a research problem, not a degree

    • This is why many Kenyan students fail when they apply using generic topics.

    European Education Area – Doctoral Studies

    2. Choose a Research Topic That Can Be Funded

    A good topic is not just interesting. It is fundable.

    Funded PhD topics usually:

  • Extend an existing research project
  • Align with EU or national funding priorities
  • Fit a supervisor’s current lab work
  • Solve a defined research gap

    • Weak topics are broad. Strong topics are narrow, specific, and extendable.

    Instead of:

  • Cybersecurity in Africa

    • Use:

  • Machine-learning-based detection of encrypted malware traffic in enterprise networks

    • This signals competence and reduces supervisor risk.

    3. How to Find Fundable Topics (Old-School Academic Methods)

    Method 1: Follow the Funding Calls

    European research funding determines what gets approved. Look at current calls and identify sub-problems that are not fully solved.

  • Horizon Europe research calls
  • Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions
  • ERC grants
  • National research councils

    • EU Funding & Tenders Portal

    Method 2: Read Supervisor Papers Backwards

    Read the last 3 papers of a professor and look for:

  • Limitations section
  • Future work section
  • Unfinished problems

    • Those gaps are your topic.

    Method 3: Use the Continuation Strategy

    Supervisors prefer students who extend their work. This increases your chances of acceptance and funding.

    4. Choose the Right Supervisor (Not the Famous One)

    The best supervisors are not always the most famous ones. You want active, funded, mid-career researchers who have time and resources.

  • Published in the last 24 months
  • Running funded projects
  • Supervising fewer than 10 PhD students
  • Working in a research lab or group

    • Use:

  • Google Scholar
  • University staff pages
  • Research group websites
  • EURAXESS

    • EURAXESS – Research Positions in Europe

    5. Match Topic, Supervisor, and Funding (The Winning Triangle)

  • Your topic must extend the supervisor’s work
  • The supervisor must have active funding
  • The topic must fit a funding call

    • When this triangle aligns, you stop being a risk and become an asset. This is how fully funded PhDs are awarded.

    6. Country-Specific Strategy for Kenyan Students

    Germany

  • PhDs are research jobs
  • Supervisor approval is mandatory
  • Funding through DAAD or research contracts

    • DAAD – German Academic Exchange Service

    Netherlands

  • PhDs are paid employment positions
  • Topics are usually predefined

    • Study in NL

    France

  • PhDs are tied to doctoral schools
  • Supervisor agreement required

    • Campus France

    7. Why Kenyan Students Should Use Professional Guidance

    Most Kenyan applicants fail because:

  • They choose weak topics
  • They email random supervisors
  • They do not understand funding alignment

    • Euromove is a consulting agency that helps Kenyan students and African professionals:

  • Identify fundable research topics
  • Match with active European supervisors
  • Prepare supervisor outreach emails
  • Secure fully funded PhD positions in Europe

    • https://euromove.africa

    8. Final Advice for Kenyan PhD Applicants

  • Start 8–12 months early
  • Choose fundable topics, not popular ones
  • Extend a supervisor’s work
  • Follow funding calls
  • Get expert guidance if possible

    • If you master topic and supervisor selection, funding becomes a consequence, not a struggle.