Based on the experiences of the International Science Programme (ISP) at Uppsala University, Sweden, this article describes and analyses the sandwich (PhD) model, where students from lower income countries spend part of their training at their home university and part at a better resourced university abroad. The model does more than provide scholarships; it includes long-term collaboration and commitment between partners, and improvement of research environments at students’ home institutions. By maintaining the connections to the home institutions throughout their training, conducting research of local relevance, and benefiting from enhanced research opportunities, graduates are facilitated to return home and continue their research after graduation.