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Research Grants – Doctoral Programmes in Germany • DAAD

Tuesday, November 14, 2023

Research Grants – Doctoral Programmes in Germany • DAAD

Application deadline

Application deadlines are updated annually in the second quarter. In most cases, they are in the same period as the previous year. You can find the current dates here:

15.11.2023
Scholarship holders with a term of 7 months or more will start their scholarship on 01 October 2024 at the earliest.
A decision by the selection committee can be expected from 01 March 2024 at the earliest.

Application documents

Certificates, proof of credits, certifications and translations may be scanned in non-certified form and uploaded to the DAAD portal. The DAAD reserves the right to request certified copies of the documents.

Documents to be uploaded to the DAAD portal:

Online application form
Full curriculum vitae in tabular form (max. 3 pages)
List of publications (max. 10 pages), if applicable
Description of academic and personal reasons for your planned project in Germany (letter of motivation: 1-2 pages), taking account of the following question: What do you hope to gain from your project in Germany (personally, professionally, for your career)? Please upload the letter of motivation under ‘study project/motivation’ in the DAAD portal.
A proposal, prepared and formulated by yourself, as well as a description of previous research work (max. 10 pages in total). A proposal is an extensive and detailed description of the research project which has been discussed with the academic adviser. Please also read our Important Scholarship Information / section B, point 2. Please upload the proposal under ‘research project’ in the DAAD portal.
In the case of individual projects supervised by a university teacher (academic adviser)
- Schedule for planned research work (must be agreed with academic supervisor)
- Letter confirming supervision by the doctoral supervisor. Please also read our Important Scholarship Information / section C, point 3. Please upload the confirmation from the academic host under ‘acceptance of host institution’ in the DAAD portal.
In the case of planned participation in a structured doctoral study programme:
- Module plan (to be uploaded in the DAAD portal under 'schedule')
- Proof of existing contacts to the coordinator of the doctoral programme (to be uploaded under ‘acceptance of host institution’ in the DAAD portal).
- Letter of admission to a study programme; this may be submitted at a later date if it is not available at the time of application
University degree certificate indicating final grade(s): the certificate must be subsequently submitted before the grant-supported research begins if it is not available at the time of application.
One recent, supporting letter of recommendation (previously: 'reference form') from a university teacher which provides information about your qualifications. Please regard the instructions given on the tab 'Submitting an application'.
In the current application procedure, the recommendation can be sent to the DAAD by post as an alternative to uploading it on the portal. Please note the information given under 'Application location' for this purpose.
Other documents which support your application (example: certificates of employment, proof of practical training/internships and voluntary commitment etc.)
In addition an English language certificate in case the language of your research is English
A German language certificate - language certificates can be issued by one of the local DAAD lektors. These language certificates don't replace the necessary language certificate for your studies at the German university.
German or English translations of documents submitted in the national language (to be uploaded with the corresponding documents)

Further Information

Research Grants - Bi-nationally Supervised Doctoral Degrees / Cotutelle • DAAD

Objective

This programme offers you the opportunity to do a bi-national doctoral degree at your home university and at a university in Germany.
There are two possible options:

Option a) Doctorate with bi-national supervision:
Your doctoral project is supervised by a university teacher both at your home university and at the host institute in Germany (so-called 'sandwich model'). Your project must be agreed with both supervisors according to the following procedure:

You start your doctoral degree in your home country.
This is followed by research trips to Germany.
You complete your doctorate in your home country and are also supervised by the German academic adviser.
Your home university awards the doctoral degree.

Option b) Doctorate following the 'Cotutelle' procedure:
Funding is provided for doctoral projects that are carried out at the home university and at a university in Germany according to the so-called Cotutelle model. This is based on an individual cooperation agreement which is concluded individually for your doctoral project by the participating universities. After you have successfully completed your doctorate, the German university and your home university award the doctoral degree jointly.

The scholarships are funded by the German Federal Foreign Office.

Who can apply?

Depending on the nature of your project, you can apply for:
a) bi-national supervision based on the 'sandwich model'. You can apply if you have earned a Master’s degree or Diplom (or in exceptional cases a Bachelor’s degree) at the latest at the start of the funding period.
b) 'Cotutelle model'. You can apply if you have been admitted to a doctoral programme at the latest at the start of the funding period.

What can be funded?

In option a), a doctorate with bi-national supervision based on the 'sandwich model', research stays at a state or state-recognised institution of higher education or a non-university research institute in Germany (as part of a doctoral programme in the home country) are funded.
In option b) a doctorate based on the 'Cotutelle model', research stays at a state or state-recognised institution of higher education in Germany are funded. These allow doctoral students to complete a doctoral thesis which is supervised and carried out bi-nationally on the basis of an individually concluded cooperation agreement.

Duration of the funding

Funding is provided for between 7 and a maximum of 24 months.
Option a) Bi-national supervision following the 'sandwich model': Grants are initially awarded for up to 12 months. Extensions depend on whether the selection committee considers the previous award period to have been successfully completed.
Option b) Doctorate following the 'Cotutelle' procedure: Grants are initially awarded for up to 18 months; there is the possibility for an extension of the scholarship for up to 6 months.
The grant can be used flexibly for several shorter stays during your doctoral project.
When you apply for the grant, you should outline in your study plan and time schedule (see ‘Application documents’) how you intend to divide your time between Germany and your home university.
If you plan to visit other countries (e.g. to collect material), please specify these plans in your application. Such visits can only be funded if they take place in connection with your visit to Germany. Another requirement is that they do not exceed one quarter of your expected total funding period.
The length of the funding period is determined by a selection committee and depends on your project and study plan.

Further information

Research Grants – One-Year Grants for Doctoral Candidates • DAAD

Objective

This programme offers you the opportunity to carry out research primarily as part of doctoral projects in Germany.
The scholarships are funded by the German Federal Foreign Office.

Who can apply?

You can apply if you have above-average qualifications and

are already taking a doctoral degree
or
are not yet taking a doctoral degree and you have already completed a Master's degree or Diplom, or in exceptional cases a Bachelor's degree, at the latest by the time the funding period begins.

Postdocs may not apply.

What can be funded?

The programme provides funding for a research project or continuing academic training at a state or state-recognised institution of higher education in Germany or a non-university research institute, which is being carried out in agreement with a supervisor in Germany.

Duration of the funding

Funding is provided for between 7 and a maximum of 12 months. Please indicate in your application how long you wish to receive funding. The funding period will then be determined during the selection process by a selection committee. The committee takes into account your study plan.
The grant is non-renewable.