germany phd scholarship 2022

Ph.D scholarships in Germany for International students 2024-2025

Find Ph.D scholarships for international students to study in Germany 2024-2025.

Hertie School Doctoral Programme in Governance for International Students 2024

With a PhD obtained in Doctoral Programme in Governance, students are at the cutting edge of social science knowledge in a field that has emerged as one of the most important and dynamic fields of inquiry. It brings together perspectives from economics, political science, law, and sociology, an

Published: 19 Dec 2023 Type: PhD Study in: Germany Deadline: 01 Feb 2024

DAAD Research Grants – Short-Term Grants for Doctoral and Postdocs Candidates 2024

DAAD grants for doctoral candidates and young scientists and academics wishing to carry out research and continue their education in Germany for up to 6 months The primary aim of this programme is to promote research projects within the context of doctoral programmes. The scholarships are funded

Published: 06 Nov 2023 Type: PhD Study in: Germany Deadline: 15 Mar 2024

DAAD 2023 Research Grants – Doctoral Programmes in Germany for Young Foreign Academics

DAAD research grants provide young foreign academics and scientists with an opportunity to carry out research and continue their education in Germany. There are funding programmes for various qualification phases and stages in a career. The grants also promote the exchange of experience and networki

Published: 05 Sep 2023 Type: PhD Study in: Germany Deadline: 20 Oct 2023

University Of Bonn 2023 BIGS-DR Doctoral Scholarship Program for Developing Countries

The Bonn International Graduate School for Development Research (BIGS-DR) is the doctoral program at ZEF. BIGS-DR is part of a group of international graduate programs at the University of Bonn, a graduate framework that maintains the highest level of academic quality. There are two way

Published: 09 May 2023 Type: PhD Study in: Germany Deadline: 31 Aug 2023

Leibniz Institute of European History (IEG) 2024 Fellowships for Doctoral Students, Germany

These are open to PhD students from Germany and abroad who have at least a Masters level degree in history, theology or another discipline which works historically. They must have been pursuing their doctorate for no more than three years at the time of the appliaction deadline, substantiated except

Published: 04 Apr 2023 Type: PhD Study in: Germany Deadline: 15 Aug 2023

Beyond Borders 2023 Scholarships for Different Stages of Ph.D. Research, Germany

Beyond Borders invite applications from Ph.D. students worldwide studying borders and bordering phenomena in different regions of the world for Beyond Borders Scholarships. BEYOND BORDERS supports research about borders and boundaries in past and present times. It promotes interdiscipli

Published: 16 Apr 2024 Type: PhD Study in: Germany Deadline: Not Specified

Beyond Borders 2023 PhD Scholarships

Beyond Borders’ invites applications from Ph.D. students worldwide studying borders and bordering phenomena in different regions of the world.  The Call for Scholarship Applications 2022 is open till 1 March 2022 and focuses on “Borders, Migration and Knowledge. ‘Beyond Bor

Published: 22 Feb 2023 Type: PhD Study in: Germany Deadline: 01 Mar 2023

Universität Hamburg 2023 Albrecht Mendelssohn Bartholdy Graduate School of Law

The structured PhD programme of the Albrecht Mendelssohn Bartholdy Graduate School of Law welcomes applications of graduates from both legal studies and other disciplines who are keen to produce ambitious doctoral work in an excellent research environment.

Published: 13 Feb 2023 Type: PhD Study in: Germany Deadline: 15 Feb 2023

University of Bonn 2023 Argelander Scholarships for Doctoral Candidates from Developing Countries

Applications are open for the Argelander Scholarships for doctoral candidates from universities in the Global South. The aim is to provide funding for doctoral candidates from countries in Africa, Latin America and Asia in order to promote scientific exchange with partners, particularly in region

Published: 18 Jan 2023 Type: PhD Study in: Germany Deadline: 01 May 2023

DAAD 2023 Graduate School Scholarship Program for PhD Students

The Bremen International Graduate School of Social Sciences (BIGSSS) invites applications for 2 scholarships for international doctoral researchers in its new Graduate School Scholarship Program “Global Dynamics of Social Policy and Social Cohesion” (GSPSC), funded by the 

Published: 07 Dec 2022 Type: PhD Study in: Germany Deadline: 23 Jan 2023

DIW Berlin 2023 FULLY FUNDED 5 Years PhD Scholarship (Germany)

DIW Berlin 2023 FULLY FUNDED 5 Years PhD Scholarship Germany. is open for International Students . The scholarship allows PhD level programm(s) in the field of Economics, Business studies taught at German Institute for Economic Research . The deadline of the scholarship is 12 Feb 2023. DIW B

Published: 23 Nov 2022 Type: PhD Study in: Germany Deadline: 12 Feb 2023

University Of Hamburg 2023 PhD Scholarship (Germany)

Are you seeking doctoral funding? The University of Hamburg offers doctoral scholarships and grants of up to € 1.200 to (prospective) doctoral candidates studying at the University of Hamburg. 

Published: 21 Nov 2022 Type: PhD Study in: Germany Deadline: Not Specified

Freie University Berlin China Scholarship Council Doctoral Awards in Germany 2023

One highly successful example of the university’s efforts to recruit qualified junior scientists and scholars is its work with the China Scholarship Council (CSC). As part of a special program sponsored by the Chinese government, the CSC awards about 6,000 foreign scholarships each year to Chi

Published: 17 Nov 2022 Type: PhD Study in: Germany Deadline: 15 Jan 2023

University Of Hamburg - Doctoral Scholarships in Germany, 2022

Doctoral scholarships at Universität Hamburg Are you seeking doctoral funding? The University of Hamburg offers doctoral scholarships and grants of up to € 1.200 to (prospective) doctoral candidates studying at the University of Hamburg. We are happy to assist you with any

Published: 16 Nov 2022 Type: PhD Study in: Germany Deadline: 02 Dec 2022

University of Bayreuth 2023 BIGSAS-Scholarships for African Women Scholars (Germany)

BIGSAS has been awarded two scholarships within the Graduate School Scholarship Programme (GSSP) by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) for which BIGSAS will nominate candidates who have successfully passed the application procedure.  BIGSAS provides a centre for creative a

Published: 01 Nov 2022 Type: PhD Study in: Germany Deadline: 15 Dec 2022

Are you seeking doctoral funding? The University of Hamburg offers doctoral scholarships and grants of up to € 1.200 to (prospective) doctoral candidates studying at the University of Hamburg. We are happy to assist you with any questions regarding our scholarship!

Published: 03 Oct 2022 Type: PhD Study in: Germany Deadline: Not Specified

DAAD United Nations University 2022 Doctoral Research Scholarship for Researchers

The United Nations University (UNU) is an international community of scholars engaged in policy-oriented research, capacity development and dissemination of knowledge in furthering the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations. The mission of UNU is to contribute, through research

Published: 05 Jul 2022 Type: PhD Study in: Germany Deadline: 10 Jul 2022

Universität Leipzig 2023 Joint MA & PhD Peace and Security in Africa Scholarships for African Students

Be part of a unique transnational MA & PhD experience in which you graduate from two prestigious universities in Africa and Europe. Addis Ababa University in Ethiopia and Leipzig University in Germany jointly offer a two year MA program AND a three year PhD Program that

Published: 18 May 2022 Type: PhD Study in: Germany Deadline: 15 Feb 2023

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Finding Scholarships

Welcome to our scholarship database! Here you will find information about our DAAD scholarship programmes for international students and researchers as well as offers from other selected funding organisations .

Research Grants – Doctoral Programmes in Germany • DAAD

Application requirements, application procedure, contact and consulting, submitting an application.

Eine Druckversion dieser Ausschreibung (PDF) steht Ihnen in den weiteren Registerkarten (z.B. „Bewerbungsvoraussetzungen“) zur Verfügung.

A print version of this announcement (PDF) is available in the further tabs (e.g. “Application requirements”).

This scholarship programme offers you the opportunity to complete your doctoral degree 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 you completed your Master's degree or Diplom, or in exceptional cases a Bachelor's degree, at the latest by the time the funding period begins.

What can be funded?

The programme provides funding for a doctoral project at a state or state-recognised institution of higher education or a non-university research institute in Germany. This can be either:

• an individual project supervised by a university teacher (doctoral supervisor) or
• participation in a structured doctoral study programme

Duration of the funding

• Funding is provided for a maximum of four years; the length of the funding period is decided by a selection committee and depends on your project and study plan.
• Grants are initially awarded for a maximum of one year. Extensions depend on whether the selection committee considers your previous award period to have been successfully completed.
• Monthly payments of 1,300 euros
• Payments towards health, accident and personal liability insurance cover (see also our important information for scholarship applicants / section F, point 4)
• Travel allowance
• annual research allowance. If you come from a DAC country , you will receive a flat rate of € 460 (€ 230 in the fourth year); for all other countries the grant is € 260 (€ 130 in the fourth year).
• monthly rent subsidy
• monthly allowance for accompanying family members. Please also read our important information for scholarship applicants / section F, point 3.
• In the case of a disability or chronic illness: subsidy for additional costs which result from the disability or chronic illness and are not covered by other funding providers: Further information
• Payment of course fees for an online language course after receipt of the Scholarship Award Letter
• if necessary: Language course (2, 4 or 6 months) before the start of the research stay in Germany; the DAAD decides whether to fund the grant holder's participation and for how long depending on language skills and project. If a language course scholarship is granted and the working language at the host institute is German, participation is compulsory.
• Allowance for a personally chosen German language course during the grant period
• Reimbursement of the fee for a TestDaF or DSH test, which you can take either in your home country after you have received your Scholarship Award Letter or in Germany during your funding period.

An independent selection committee consisting of specialist scientists reviews applications. The selection criteria are: 1. Qualification

• Academic achievements (grade point average, development of grades)
• Academic progress
• Knowledge of the language(s) of instruction or working language(s)
• If applicable, scholarly achievements after graduation, (e.g. publications, lectures, conference papers)
• Quality of research proposal and preparation (originality, topicality and relevance of the project, choice of host institution and first contacts)
• Feasibility and consistency of study plan and schedule
• Incorporation of project within the overall doctorate (in terms of content and time), if relevant
• Career prospects: significance of the research project and stay in Germany for further academic, professional and personal development
• Motivation: academic and personal reasons for wanting to visit Germany, German language skills (if different from working language)
• Non-study-related activities: non-study-related knowledge and skills, civic engagement

What requirements must be met?

Please check if the following criteria are fulfilled:

• As a rule, applicants should not have graduated any longer than six years before the application deadline
• If you have already started your doctorate, it also applies that the start of the doctorate should not be longer than 3 years ago. Please also read our Important Scholarship Information / Section A, point 2.
• Your application cannot be considered, if you have been resident in Germany for longer than 15 months at the application deadline.

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:

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.
• 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.
• 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.)

The application procedure occurs online through the DAAD portal. Please note that the access to the application portal only appears while the current application period is running. After the application deadline has expired, the portal for this programme is not available until the next application period.

Please note

• Your application is only valid if you submit all the required documents to the DAAD portal on time.
• For submitting references by post, the postmark date serves as proof that they have been dispatched on time.
• (If further documents are to be submitted by post, please send them as soon as possible.)
• The DAAD portal closes at 24.00 hrs. (CET or CEST) on the last application day. If possible, please do not send your application on the final date in case technical problems occur.
• Incomplete applications cannot be considered. You are responsible for ensuring that your application is complete.
• The application documents remain with the DAAD. Your personal data is saved by the DAAD in accordance with the Federal Data Protection Act and with the EU Data Protection Regulation insofar as this data is needed to process the application.

More detailed information

• DAAD website 'Important information for DAAD scholarship applicants'
• DAAD website section 'Doing a PhD and Research in Germany'
• Website 'Research in Germany'
• Website 'GERiT – German Research Institutions'

General information on the application via DAAD portal

Applications for this scholarship programme are possible in the period June until the stated application deadline. Click on ‘Application portal’ at the bottom of the page to go to the DAAD portal. There you will be provided with an online application form to enter your application data. This is what you have to do: 1. Register in the DAAD portal ( Read notes about registering in the portal >> ) 2. Request recommendation form You can generate the recommendation form (previously: 'reference form') in the DAAD Portal as a writable PDF under 'Request reference form' . Please send it to your referee and ask him or her to complete the form in full. When you have received it back, please upload it during the application process in the portal in the step 'Attachments' under 'Letter of Recommendation'. Alternatively, the referee can send the form by post to the application address (see tab 'Application procedure' under 'Application location'). The postmark will then be used to ensure that the form was sent by the deadline. Please note that the form for completion by a referee can only be generated during the application period. 3. Applying online in the DAAD portal ( Read notes on applying in the portal >> )

• Download and complete the online application form
• Prepare application documents
• If necessary, translate documents (unless they are already in German or English).
• Scan paper documents and save in PDF format. Please note that you can only upload PDF files to the portal.
• Upload the completed application form and the other application documents to the portal in PDF format. Translations, if applicable, should be uploaded together with the document issued in the original language.
• Submit the uploaded application documents online.

Currently you cannot apply for this programme. Please note the application deadline specified under the Application procedure tab.

Sponsored by:

Please select your status and your country to enable you to submit an application

„Country“ is the country in which you are living and from which you are applying. If you come from another country, please contact us to find out whether you are eligible for the programme of your choice. More Information

Graduates are people who already have at least one first academic degree, e.g. Bachelor.

Your status and/or country is not in the list? If your status and/or country is not included in the list, you cannot apply for this scholarship programme. To ensure that only scholarship programmes for which you are eligible to apply are shown, please select your status and your country in the results list (left-hand column).

• Economic and Technological Change
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• Integrated System Modeling
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At a glance

Program duration 3-4 years Students admitted per year c. 20-30 Language  English

DAAD-scholarship applicants August 31st, annually

Other applicants August 1st, annually

BIGS-DR  Dr. Silke Tönsjost Max Voit

Email bigs-dr[at]uni-bonn.de

Entry Requirements

All applicants require an excellent master's degree (FAQ) , an innovative Research Proposal   and English proficiency.

DAAD-applicants must fulfill several additional criteria:

daad.de/go/en/stipa50076777

Do you want to apply for a DAAD- EPOS scholarship?

The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) offers a limited number of scholarships to highly qualified applicants from selected countries. The current call for applications and necessary application documents for the scholarship for an EPOS study program can be found here:

Application deadline for next intake in October 2024: 31st of August 2023

Do you have a scholarship/ funding already?

Next intake in October 2023. See FAQ about specifics of the funding.

All applicants have to apply here

Application portal of University Bonn.

Research & Capacity Development

Doctoral program, publications.

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Search portlet, menu display, scholarship and culture, stipendien & förderprogramme, ...für internationale studierende und promovierende - scholarship and culture, asset publisher, scholarship program for international students.

The Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS) is a political foundation, inspired by Christian democratic values, committed to fostering democracy and the rule of law, to implementing social and market-economic structures and to promoting human rights in Europe and worldwide.

In line with these principles, our Foundation awards scholarships to international master students and graduates in order to enable study and research at universities in Germany. This way, we actively promote intercultural dialogues, the formation of international networks as well as the internationalization of universities and science.

The next regional selection meetings will take place in 2023 in cooperation with the KAS offices in Turkey, Singapore and South Caucasus.

After finishing their studies in Germany, the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung expects its former scholars to contribute actively to the development of their home country’s relations with the Federal Republic of Germany.

Currently our scholars come from 55 countries of the world. Their subjects are various: law, sciences, music as well as medicine, just to name a few.

Who are we looking for?

Our Scholarship Program for International Students is aimed at international students and graduates who have acquired a university degree and who intend to complete postgraduate or master studies, doctoral studies or a research stay of at least four semesters at a university in Germany.

The guidelines

• have a university degree, as we do not provide support for bachelor studies,
• prove above average academic performance,
• have good knowledge of the German language (B2-level),
• be actively engaged in voluntary work,
• plan to study a minimum of four semesters at a university in Germany,
• possess a broad general education and distinct interest in political issues,
• have a positive attitude towards democracy and human rights,
• be open to develop their personal points of view and practice tolerance,
• be highly motivated and able to convince us of their goals in life.

Further specifications

• Students in Medicine or Pharmacy can only apply after having completed their intermediate exam in Germany or when having achieved a comparable stage of their studies.
• Human or dental medicine specialist training or post graduate research stays in Germany cannot be supported.
• Persons having already achieved a doctorate are not eligible for a scholarship.

Benefits of our scholarship program

Our scholarship program consists of financial assistance, personal guidance, a wide seminar program and access to the worldwide KAS-network. After the successful completion of studies, we remain in contact with our alumni and involve them in our national and international activities.  

Financial assistance

The duration and level of funding varies for different types of studies. Graduates (master or postgraduate students) receive a monthly scholarship of € 934. The standard funding period is two years. After having obtained unconditional admission to doctoral studies at a German university, PhD-students receive a monthly scholarship of € 1.400. The standard funding period for PhD scholars is three years. We also fund research stays in Germany for the minimum of three semesters.

Beside the monthly stipend, we offer multiple subsidies for our scholars. Upon request, we subsidize health care insurance up to the amount of € 120 per month. We also offer a family allowance of € 276 provided that you and your spouse live together in one place in Germany for at least three months and that his/her income does not exceed the amount of € 450 per month. Additionally, we grant children’s allowance of € 194 per month for children living with you in Germany. Prerequisites are the submission of an official German translation of the child’s birth certificate and the official rejection of your demand for public child allowance.

In addition, PhD-scholars can apply for financial assistance for research stays abroad. However, we do not fund participation in congresses or symposia.

Fees resulting from courses at the university in Germany that are directly related to your studies can be refunded up to the amount of € 1.500 per semester. However, we do not refund regular semester fees resulting from enrollment or annual re-registration.

Network and Seminars

Being a scholar of the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung means much more than just receiving financial assistance. Our scholars benefit from a broad program of ideational support. They become part of an active and living network. The program is based on three pillars: 1. Personal contact and mentoring. 2. A wide seminar program – with over 180 activities per year - for all of our app. 3.000 scholars in Germany. 3. Regional and local activities of our more than 140 different university groups.

1. Mentoring by our staff and representatives at the universities

Our staff members and representatives at the universities supervise and consult our scholars personally. They monitor the progress of your studies as well as your participation in the seminar program and the activities of your university group. Our foundation attaches great importance to the continued development of your social commitment. The overall objective is to support you in identifying and in improving your individual strengths.

2. A manifold seminar program

The objective of the seminars, which are held exclusively for our scholars, is to expand the general education of our scholars. The seminars provide opportunities for an interdisciplinary exchange of ideas and information with other scholars and acknowledged experts. The ranges of topics include historical, political, economic and social issues on a national, European and international scope. Furthermore, training and coaching seminars help our scholars to strengthen their soft skills and to facilitate the transition from studying to professional life.

3. Being part of a local university group

The local university groups, “Hochschulgruppen”, are managed independently by our scholars along with the representatives of our foundation at the universities, the so called “Vertrauensdozenten”. Each semester, they create a program of diverse activities for themselves. These local groups also help you with settling in and getting used to your new surroundings.

Our network of former scholars

It is a matter of particular interest to the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung to encourage networking between our current and former scholars. Over 14.000 alumni form a vibrant and global network of former KAS scholars who play active roles in politics, economics, science and society all over the world and who, at the same time, remain committed to our foundation and its current scholars. More than 50 regional alumni groups worldwide and several specialized sub-networks give great opportunities to our former scholars and allow them to remain connected to our foundation. This alumni network also provides practical assistance: its members finance a Social Fund which provides help to current and former scholars in cases of need. Moreover, the network promotes scientific and social projects.

How to apply

There are two ways to apply for our scholarship program:

1) Each year new focus countries or regions are determined for our selection procedures. In 2021 we will focus on Russia, Ukraine, Turkey and Latin America (coordinated through our office in Peru) and interviews will be conducted online. If you are living in one of these countries, you may send your written application directly to the responsible KAS office – please check their web-sites for the exact procedure and addressee. Students living in countries that are not listed cannot apply for the international selection procedure in 2021.

2) In case you are already living or studying in Germany, you are welcome to apply for a scholarship via the domestic selection program using our online procedure. Please fill out the application form online and upload all required application documents. Please do not send in any documents by mail as these will not be considered. The application period ends on July 15th (12:00/noon) each year for the domestic procedure.

Necessary documents for the application

Please download and fill out the application form and attach the following documents if you are applying for a MA-Scholarship.

• A meaningful CV in tabular form including details about your previous voluntary work or social commitment.
• Motivation letter.
• Copies of your examination certificates in German translation if the originals are not in English.
• Copies of your studies performance records if you have been studying at a University in Germany.
• Proof of German language skills (B 2).
• An informal academic letter of recommendation: This letter should provide information about your academic qualifications and potential; it should not be older than two month. The author has to be a university professor or teacher holding a doctoral degree.
• An informal letter of recommendation concerning the applicant’s personality: This letter should focus on your personality and interests as well as on your understanding of values and your social commitment. The author cannot be the same as the one providing the academic letter of recommendation.
• Certificate of admission or matriculation from your university in Germany.

If you are applying for a PhD-Scholarship, please add the following documents:

• A detailed description of your doctoral thesis: This exposé should be written in German or English (5-10 pages; font size 12; 1.5 line spacing) and should outline the central research question of your proposed project, its scientific relevance, your theoretical approach and the motives behind your choice of the research subject. It should also contain a work and time schedule and a bibliography.
• A second academic letter of recommendation: This second letter should be written by the supervisor of your doctoral thesis, providing you already have one. It replaces the letter of recommendation concerning the applicant’s personality.
• A confirmation of supervision by your doctor-father or -mother

Contact for applicants

If you have any questions regarding your application, please send an email to:  [email protected] .

In case of technical problems around the KAS registration portal, please contact: [email protected] .

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Susanna Vogt

Head of Foreigner Promotion

Dr. Kerim Kudo

Desk Officer in the Department of Scholarships for International Students

Maike Ender

Assistent / Administrator

Giulia Mohamed

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Supported with funds from the Federal Foreign Office

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PhD students

Here you find a  selection of funding programmes  for international PhD students by various funding organisations. For more funding opportunities please search our  funding databases .

Selection of funding programmes (alphabetical order):

Collaborative Research Centres

Collaborative Research Centres offer PhD students opportunities to pursue an outstanding research programme that crosses disciplinary, institutional, departmental and faculty boundaries.

DLR-DAAD Research Fellowships

Outstanding PhD students can complete a doctorate in the fields of space, aeronautics, energy, transport, digitalisation and security at an institute of the German Aerospace Center (DLR).

ERA Fellowships – Green Hydrogen

This programme provides funding for a research project or continuing academic training in the field of GH2.

Green Talents

The winners of this competition are invited to visit leading German institutions of environmental and sustainability research. Furthermore, Green Talents awardees can complete a research stay at an institution of their choice.

Individual Doctoral Projects at Fraunhofer Institutes

PhD students can complete a doctorate while working on exciting projects in cutting-edge areas of technology involving state-of-the-art equipment at a Fraunhofer institute.

Individual Doctoral Projects at Leibniz Institutes

PhD students can complete a doctorate while working in an excellent interdisciplinary research environment at a Leibniz institute.

Individual Doctoral Projects at Max Planck Institutes

PhD students can complete doctoral projects within the scope of research work conducted at a Max Planck institute.

International Max Planck Research Schools

PhD students can complete a doctorate in a structured programme offering excellent research conditions at one of the 68 International Max Planck Research Schools (IMPRS).

International Visiting Researchers at Max Planck Institutes

International researchers can conduct independent research at a Max Planck institute. The programme aims to strengthen cooperation and promote networking between Max Planck institutes and their international partners.

Leibniz Graduate Schools and Leibniz ScienceCampi

PhD students will find ideal conditions for completing a doctorate in a structured doctoral programme that can be pursued at either a Leibniz institute or a partner university.

Marie Skłodowska-Curie Doctoral Networks

PhD students receive structured doctoral training within these networks, which are formed jointly by different European institutions.

Max Planck Schools

The Max Planck Schools are a joint graduate programme run by German universities and research organisations. They offer ambitious bachelor’s and master’s graduates excellent conditions within a unique scientific network, and provide structured and fully funded PhD programmes in three interdisciplinary research fields: cognition, matter to life and photonics.

Munich Aerospace: PhD Scholarships

Munich Aerospace PhD scholarships allow talented young scientists to focus exclusively on the research work at hand and on attaining a timely doctoral degree.

PhD Fellowships

The Boehringer Ingelheim Fonds awards PhD Fellowships to outstanding early career researchers who wish to carry out an ambitious scientific PhD project in basic biomedical research at an internationally leading laboratory.

Research Grants – Bi-nationally Supervised Doctoral Degrees/Cotutelle

The aim of this programme is to support doctoral degrees at the student’s home university with integrated research phases in Germany.

Research Grants – Doctoral Programmes in Germany

International PhD students can realise a doctoral project (individually or in a structured programme) at a state or state-recognised German university or non-university research institution.

Research Grants – One-Year Grants

International doctoral candidates can carry out research primarily as part of a doctoral project at a state or state-recognised university or non-university research institution in Germany.

Research Training Groups

Research Training Groups are set up by universities and pursue a focused research programme. They offer a structured PhD programme relating to an innovative, peer-reviewed research topic.

RISE Professional

This programme enables students in the fields of natural sciences, engineering or computer science from North America, the United Kingdom or Ireland to gain serious practical experience in a German company or research institution with strong industry ties.

Travel Grants

The Boehringer Ingelheim Fonds (BIF) awards travel grants to PhD students and postdoctoral researchers from all over the world.

More information:

Search funding databases.

More funding programmes are available for international researchers. For more information you can either search the funding databases or go straight to the websites of the funding organisations.

PhD scholarships in Germany: Everything You Need to Know

Table of Contents

Ph.D. scholarships in Germany: Everything You Need to Know

About ph.d. scholarships in germany: everything you need to know.

This article will give an overview of Ph.D. scholarships in Germany . Germany’s PhDs are highly respected around the world. For international students seeking a Ph.D. education, Germany has become one of the most sought-after study destinations. Ph.D. programs are available at German universities and higher educational establishments, with excellent chances. Germany is a top location for doctoral education and training, with thousands of research students earning their Ph.D. degrees each year.

Candidates are encouraged to apply for the well-funded Germany Ph.D. scholarships given here in the fields of neurology, ancient studies, biology, political science, history, and other relevant subjects. When it comes to pursuing a Ph.D. in Germany, there are a variety of prices to consider. A living cost of roughly 867 Euros per month will be considered in addition to the semester contribution fee of around 100-350 Euros per month .

As a result, securing a scholarship to pursue a Ph.D. in Germany becomes critical. Fortunately, a variety of funding options are available at German universities, including fellowships , scholarships , and other awards .

DAAD Graduation International Scholarships in Germany

International students can apply for DAAD Graduation Scholarships in Germany through Ulm University, which is part of DAAD’s STIBET doctorate program. This scholarship program is designed specifically for Ph.D. students who are coming to Germany from another nation. It is possible to apply for the Ph.D. program at Ulm. The scholar scholarship comprises an 875 EUR monthly stipend for up to four months.

Test Scholarships for International Students at Free University of Berlin, Germany

The Free University of Berlin has chosen to grant deserving international students Test Scholarships in order to aid in the recruitment of international Ph.D. applicants. Only international students are eligible to apply for this scholarship. Applicants for Ph.D. programs are eligible. To be considered for this scholarship grant worth EUR 1,300, interested candidates must submit a CV and a proposal.

Georgius Agricola Scholarships for International Students in Germany

The Chemnitz University of Technology in Germany is providing international students the Georgius Agricola Scholarships to help them prepare for their research careers in a cost-effective manner. This application for the Ph.D. programs at the Chemnitz University of Technology is open to international students from selected Middle Eastern and Southeast European countries.

Ph.D. Scholarships at Albrecht Mendelssohn Bartholdy Graduate School of Law, Germany

The program seeks to provide exceptional learning opportunities for Ph.D. candidates and post-docs by providing a research-informed curriculum that includes introductory courses in core obligatory areas and covers all aspects of legal science. Apply for Ph.D. Scholarships at the Albrecht Mendelssohn Bartholdy Graduate School of Law to realize your dream.

Knowledge of your native language is one of the most important factors in obtaining scholarship support for your Ph.D. program in Germany. Many universities require German language competency certificates. Fortunately, with the appropriate direction, LeapScholar can assist you in achieving German language mastery. So, get started on your path to Ph.D. success!

For more information:

German scholarships for Indian students

Top 10 Universities For Automotive Engineering In Germany

Top 10 Universities For Mechatronics In Germany

How to Study in Germany for Free-Everything You Need to Know

The following data was obtained entirely from the internet. You can contact us directly at howtoabroad.com if you have any questions.

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Scholarships & Funding

International students can apply to numerous organisations for a scholarship, for example to the DAAD, to party-related foundations or business-affiliated institutions. You can find information on the various types of scholarships in the DAAD scholarship database, along with suitable offers.

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PhD Scholarships

Key information in 5 steps, research projects in which fields of scholarship are eligible for support.

• Archaeology
• History of Art
• Historical Islamic Studies
• History of Science
• History of Law
• Prehistory and Early History

What preconditions must the applicant meet?

• Overall graduation grade (Masters, or for German State Examinations Sek. II): 1.5 or better (foreign graduation certificates will be assessed separately).
• The applicant must not have been older than 28 years of age at the point in time when s/he graduated and qualified to take part in a PhD programme.

If an applicant was aged 25 when graduating, then he or she can still apply to the Foundation for a Ph.D. scholarship when aged 35.

• This age limit shall be extended to take the following situations into account: night school, bringing up children, military service, work experience and other exceptional circumstances.

What is not eligible for support?

• PhD scholarships for a duration of less than 12 months
• Travel stipends for PhD candidates
• no college or tuition fees
• scholarship cannot be granted if the person is also receiving a salary or drawing a pension
• final scholarships (a grant that succeeds another grant exceeding 12 months and bestowed by a different party and/or the application for a scholarship not exceeding 12 months)

How and when can an application be submitted?

• Applications can only be made in digital form
• Applications must be in English or in German
• Scholarships are awarded independently of the applicant’s nationality or location
• The application can be submitted at any time (no deadline)

What proposals can be submitted?

• PhD- and/or research scholarships for the project participant(s)
• Only full-time scholarships are available (max. 5 hrs a week in other employment)
• if necessary monthly family grant
• if necessary monthly endowment for scholarships abroad
• support for Student assistant
• Material aid

Background to the PhD Scholarships

In line with one of the founder’s wishes, a special focus of the Gerda Henkel Foundation is support for up-and-coming scholars. Special attention is made when approving grants to enable qualified young researchers of both sexes to conduct scientific work for a limited period of time and in order to improve their academic training. As part of its Ph.D. programme, the Foundation seeks to promote highly-qualified new academic talent. Only those candidates are considered whose study achievements and exam performances show them to be especially gifted and whose Ph.D. theses can be expected to yield well above-average results. At present, each year about 50 scholarships are awarded.

Application

Type and scope to the scholarship

The funding period is up to two years. In justified cases, the scholarship period can be extended for up to 12 months if an extension application is made before the end of the second year of funding.

It is possible to apply for:

• basic scholarship sum

if appropriate:

• supplement for travel abroad (monthly endowment for stays of for weeks or more)
• family grant award (for children who have not yet turned 18 under presentation of the child’s birth certificate)

and if required:

• travel expenses
• material expenses

Application documents

From now on, it is only possible to apply electronically for the general research grants. The necessary application documents can be uploaded in the electronic application form.

The following documents must be included in an application for a PhD scholarship (in German or English):

• plus bibliography if necessary (in addition to the max. 8 pages)
• at least font size 11 and line spacing 1.5
• please choose a readable font, e.g. Arial 11 pt. or Times New Roman 12 pt.
• time schedule and working plan with information about the necessary travel to archives, libraries and museums or other destinations required for the completion of the dissertation (max. 2 pages)
• curriculum vitae in tabular form
• certificate(s) of the university degree qualifying for PhD studies (generally Master certificate; for direct doctorates: seminar attendance certificates; please do not send Bachelor certificates). Please send us copies, references do not have to be attested.
• the choice of the referees is up to the applicant
• the second report needs not be compiled by the person who later acts as second examiner for the Ph.D. thesis
• upload via the online recommendation form
• The letters of recommendation should be received promptly with the application; the application can only be discussed when both letters of recommendation are available.
• The Foundation does not contact the authors of the letters of recommendations; you as the applicant must ensure that the letters of recommendations are submitted (promptly).
• possibility to submit more than two letters of recommendation

Please note that the Gerda Henkel Foundation will not contact any referees and the applicants are responsible for requesting the letters of recommendation themselves.

Please do not send the following information:

• High School Leaving certificates
• internship certificates
• seminar grades (only required for direct PhDs)
• employment references

Please note the following information:

• Applications which are incomplete or too voluminous will not be given consideration. The same holds true for applications for which no expert opinion has been submitted.
• Incomplete applications will not be considered any more after the expiration of one year.
• Proof of enrollment does not need to be produced.
• We will acknowledge receipt of your application and we would ask you not to contact us by phone on this matter.

Please note the following application requirements:

• Example: If an applicant was aged 25 when graduating, then he or she can still apply to the Foundation for a Ph.D. scholarship when aged 35.
• It will not be possible to include the application in the selection process should there be no special reasons for graduation after the candidate turns 29.
• For an application to be considered in the selection process the overall master grade awarded must be at least 1.5 or above in Germany (comparable with grade A in other countries). For candidates with a foreign degree, a special examination for inclusion in the selection process will be performed in the Foundation's office. The final grade achieved in legal exams also will likewise be assessed separately.
• The Foundation will not grant scholarships for the completion of Ph.D. projects. A final scholarship is a grant that succeeds another grant exceeding 12 months and bestowed by a different party and/or the application for a scholarship not exceeding 12 months.

Please do not additionally send the documents by email or postal mail.

The simultaneous receipt of salary or retirement pension and a scholarship is not possible. The funding period for PhD scholarships of the foundation is up to two years. In justified cases, the scholarship period can be extended for up to 12 months if an extension application is made before the end of the second year of funding.

If the stipend holder becomes a parent during the period covered by the stipend and has an entitlement to maternity or parental leave, individual arrangements must be discussed with the Foundation’s administrative office. 

Applicable to new permits from 1 January 2024.

Monthly scholarship award: 1,920 euros

Foundation stipend holders working on Ph.D. or research projects with children, will receive a monthly family grant in addition to their scholarship. The family grant is awarded on presentation of the child’s birth certificate and disbursed for children who have not yet turned 18 .

•    for one child: EUR 480 •    each further child: EUR 120

Monthly endowment for scholarships abroad: 480 euros Travel aid: as required Material aid: as required

Applications for PhD scholarships are considered throughout the year. Recipients of PhD scholarships will be selected four times a year. The review and approval process of a complete application is generally completed within six months. Please note that the review and approval process does not begin until the two required letters of recommendation have also been received.

The Foundation’s bodies will meet and decide on the present application at the earliest date possible. We would ask you not to contact us by phone on this matter.

Form and letters of recommendation

Electronic application form for the foundation.

1. Please complete the application form in full.

2. The application form can be saved at any time. Using your own personal link, you can return to and edit the form for a period of ten days. However, after this period (10 Days), your data will be deleted from the server.

3. Once you have completed the form, you will receive a short summary, which needs to be confirmed in order to be sent to the Foundation electronically.

4. During the transmission process your data will be sent to the Foundation in electronic form. Confirmation of receipt will be sent to the e-mail address provided in the application.

Please follow these rules when uploading your application files:

• All documents need to be uploaded as pdf-files.         
• Please do not upload protected PDF documents.
• Please do not upload secured PDF documents.
• A single file may not exceed a file size of 6 MB each.
• You cannot upload more than one document per upload field.
• The application can only be sent, if all necessary documents are included.

Please note the following additional information:

• Your data will be stored by the Gerda Henkel Foundation for the purpose of processing your application and will not be passed on to third parties.
• The Gerda Henkel Foundation will be happy to provide you with information about the data that we have stored on your person at any time. If so required, personal data can be changed or deleted.
• This form may only be used to make an application to the Gerda Henkel Foundation. The Foundation reserves the right to delete application data without prior notification, if necessary.
• Application form

Online recommendation form: 

Letters of recommendation must be uploaded via the online recommendation form by their authors with a personal signature. Please do  not  additionally send the documents by email and/or postal mail.

• Online recommendation form

Publishing Aid

Publishing aid is currently only awarded to especially successful Gerda Henkel Foundation scholars. Please include the following documents:

• two-page summary of the academic merit and innovativeness of the monograph/collection
• cost calculation by the publishing house
• manuscript on which the calculations have been made (digital)
• copy of the (preliminary) PhD certificate

Applications can be submitted at any time.

Important note on submitting applications

Please take a look at the information provided in this section and under General References . We would of course be happy to assist you should you have any further questions.

Contact Person PhD Scholarships

Anna Kuschmann, M.A. Project Manager General Research and PhD Grants – PhD and Research Scholarships, Publishing Aid – kuschmann@gerda-henkel-stiftung.de

General Information for Applicants and Beneficiaries

Frequently asked questions, general questions regarding the application.

Does the Foundation provide funding for master students? No, the Foundation does not provide support for studies under PhD level.

Can I apply if my project belongs to another field than the academic disciplines cited on the website? No. But please have a look at the thematic requirements of the funding programmes “Democracy“ and "Lost Citiess", as well as the special programme "Forced Migration".

What shall I do if I’m not sure whether my subject is eligible for funding from the Foundation? Please send us a short project summary by email ( info@gerda-henkel-stiftung.de ). We will be in touch within a few days to let you know whether you can apply.

Are foreign academics allowed to apply for funding programmes? The funding activities concentrate basically on German and foreign academics in the fields of historical humanities. Candidates can apply regardless of their nationality and place of work.

In which languages does the Foundation correspond? German and English.

Should application documents and references be submitted in English or German? The Foundation accepts both, although German is preferred where possible.

Are there formal requirements on how the application documents should be compiled? The project description should not be longer than 8 pages. Documents should have at least font size 11 and line spacing 1.5. Please read carefully all instructions in the section general references .

Are there any substantial requirements for the structure or form of the description of the research project? No, there are no substantive requirements. Applicants for a research scholarship should make sure that in addition to the content presentation, information on the method, the state of research, the sources and research relevance are included in the description, especially if the transcript of the study is in the foreground.

Should the proposal include a detailed list of publications or is it enough to note the cited references in footnotes? Is an additional list of publications with for the project relevant references necessary? It is sufficient to note the references of the proposal in footnotes. A list of publications with for the project relevant references can but must not be submitted.

What should my working plan and schedule include? They should include detailed information about the work stages planned for the period of funding, including research trips and their planned duration.

Can I apply for financing for my own post instead of a research grant? No. The Foundation is not providing funding for posts at research institutions.

What do you require for travel and material expenses claims? We require a list of costs with each individual expense in as much detail as possible. Please have a look at the information provided under http://www.gerda-henkel-stiftung.de/calculation_travel-material-expenses .

Does the Foundation pay for childcare during the period for which a stipend is awarded? Foundation stipend holders working on Ph.D. or research projects receive a family grant on presentation of the child’s/children’s birth certificate(s). The grant is paid for children who have not yet turned 18.

What is the Foundation’s policy is a stipend holder becomes a parent during the period for which a stipend is awarded? The period of support for Foundation stipend holders working on Ph.D. or research projects can be extended by up to 12 months if the holder becomes a parent during the period covered by the stipend and has an entitlement to maternity or parental leave. Individual arrangements must be discussed with the Foundation’s administrative office.

Can anyone request funding for printing? Publishing aid can only be claimed for projects which are already receiving funding from the Gerda Henkel Foundation. However, not all projects will be awarded funding for printing as the current budget for publishing aid is extremely limited.

Does the Foundation sponsor individual journeys to participate in scientific conferences? At present travel expenses are only paid for larger research projects or PhD and research scholarships. Funding applications for independent trips to participate in conferences/congresses are in principle not considered.

Can I change anything in my electronic application form after having sent it to the Foundation? No, that is not possible. Please inform us about any differing information when sending us your application documents or fill out a new application form and let us know you have sent a new form in a short note or email.

What happens to my submission if it is incomplete? Incomplete submissions will not be considered and will be put back to the next selection round. Incomplete applications for PhD scholarships will not be considered any more after the expiration of one year.

Does the Foundation provide reasons for refusing applications? The Academic Committee’s deliberations are confidential so the Foundation does not provide detailed reasons for refusals.

General questions regarding the applications for scholarships

Can I continue to work during the time of my scholarship? No, the simultaneous receipt of salary and a scholarship is not possible.

Can I continue to draw a retirement pension during the time of my scholarship? No, the simultaneous receipt of a retirement pension and a scholarship is not possible.

In which case can I apply for an overseas bonus? Should a recipient of a scholarship leave the country of her/his principal residence and spend more than four weeks abroad for research purposes, the Foundation shall grant a flat-rate overseas bonus. This should be seen as an extension to the scholarship, intended to cover the extra costs of food and accommodation. The Foundation shall not cover any accommodation costs for that period if an overseas bonus has been granted.

Can I apply for funding of college or tuition fees? No, the Foundation does not cover college or tuition fees.

If I am given a doctoral grant, do I have to start my doctorate immediately? Doctorates must be started within twelve months of the grant being agreed.

Questions regarding letters of recommendation

Who can write letters of recommendation? Applicants are free to choose a relevant expert. The Foundation does not make recommendations in this regard.

What should be included in letters of recommendation or references and what form should they take? The Foundation has no specific requirements as far as references are concerned. Referees generally provide an assessment of the quality of the project and the applicant’s qualifications.

In what form should letters of recommendation be submitted? Letters of recommendation must be uploaded via the online recommendation form by their authors with a personal signature. Please do  not  additionally send the documents by email and/or postal mail.

Can authors send their letters of recommendation to the Foundation via email? Letters of recommendation can be uploaded via the online recommendation form . They must in all cases be signed by the author.

Should letters of recommendation be submitted in English or German? The Foundation accepts both, although German is preferred where possible.

Do you accept letters of recommendation from abroad? Yes.

Do you accept letters of recommendation from other subject areas? Yes.

Does the second letter of recommendation for an application for a phd scholarship have to be compiled by the person who later acts as second examiner for the Ph.D. thesis? No.

Specific questions regarding the PhD-Scholarships

Can doctoral students from overseas apply for a doctoral grant? Yes.

Can students write their doctorate overseas? Yes.

Can I apply for a doctorate grant if I have finished my undergraduate degree but not officially graduated? No, to make sure all applicants are treated equally, we do require a written confirmation of your degree results. The Foundation will however accept provisional attestation from the university showing individual grades and the overall grade.

Can I submit an application for doctoral funding if I have not yet been formally registered by the university or not yet had my place confirmed? Yes.

Which documents do I have to submit for funding if I have already started my doctorate? Please submit the same documents as for a standard doctorate grant.

Can I apply for funding for the completion of my doctorate ("final scholarship")? No, the Foundation will not grant scholarships for the final completion of Ph.D. projects. A final scholarship is either a grant that succeeds another grant exceeding 12 months and bestowed by a different party and/or the application for a scholarship not exceeding 12 months.

Can all applications for doctoral funding include an application for travel or material expenses? Yes, as long as the foreseen expenses are directly linked to the doctorate.

Which certifications should be submitted when I am applying for a PhD scholarship? Please send in certificate(s) of the university degree qualifying for PhD studies (or seminar attendance certificates for direct doctorates). Please send us copies, references do not have to be attested. Please do not send certificates of High School Leaving, Bachelor certificates, internships, seminar grades (only necessary for direct doctorates) and employment references.

Can I apply with a 1.5 grade or does the grade have to be better than 1.5? For an application to be considered in the selection process the overall master grade awarded must be at least 1.5 or above in Germany (comparable with grade A in other countries). We will check any applications with degrees obtained outside Germany before deciding whether to put them through into the next stage.

What does the Foundation mean by its age limit of 28? The age limit refers to obtaining a degree. If you were 25 when you obtained your master degree, you could apply for doctoral funding at the age of 35, for example. Exceptions will be made to take the following situations into account: night school, bringing up children, military or civil service, work experience and other exceptional circumstances. If there are no extenuating circumstances, applications from those older than 28 cannot be accepted.

Are there any interviews? Can I present my subject to the Foundation in person? No, decisions are based solely on the application submitted.

Can I ask when the Foundation’s quarterly committee meetings are held? No, the Foundation does not provide any information about when the committees meet to assess applications. Once all necessary documents have been submitted (incl. reference), you should expect to wait approximately six months for our decision.

Can I reapply if my application has already been refused? Yes, a second application is possible. However, all the documents must be submitted again.

Questions regarding grants in general

What should I do once I have received the letter of approval? Please let us know by postmail whether you accept the grant and the terms of appropriation. If you do accept, please also supply your current bank details and include when you wish payments to start. Please note that all credit transfers and standing orders are being switched over to the pan-European SEPA system. Instead of a bank sort code and account number, the Foundation requires the IBAN and BIC details. You will find the corresponding information on your account statement and possibly on your bank card.

What are my obligations if I accept the funding? You must inform the Foundation of any changes which have a bearing on the payment of the grant or the amount paid. Teaching positions and other employment must be agreed with the Foundation if they exceed an average of 5 hours a week.

Can I work during the grant period? Yes, as long as the employment does not exceed an average of five hours a week.

How should references be made to the Foundation in my work? We ask that the Foundation be mentioned in any publications that arise from the funded project. The Foundation should also be included in the imprint of any publications for which publishing aid was supplied. For other media, such as conference posters or flyers, please use the logo available on our website. Please also mention the Foundation at events and in any contact with journalists (e.g. via your university’s press office), including in any press releases.

Can the grant or parts thereof be used for other purposes? No. The grant is only to be used for the purposes detailed in the letter of approval.

Can grants be transferred to overseas accounts? Yes. Please supply your SWIFT/BIC code and IBAN. We would however prefer to make transfers to a German account.

Do I have to take out insurance if I am awarded a grant or does the Foundation cover those costs? As grant recipients are not technically employed by the Foundation, national insurance contributions are not paid. The Foundation recommends that all grant recipients take out medical insurance. No additional funding is available for these costs.

What kind of information about my bank account do I have to submit? Please note that all credit transfers and standing orders are being switched over to the pan-European SEPA system. Instead of a bank sort code and account number, the Foundation requires the IBAN and BIC details. You will find the corresponding information on your account statement and possibly on your bank card. Please send us these details or submit them with your next invoice.

Do original receipts have to be sent? Generally yes. Should third parties need the originals for billing purposes (e.g. university offices), please submit copies and ensure that the originals are held for at least ten years in case they need to be checked.

Will my family’s costs be reimbursed for research trips? No. These must be covered by the grant recipient.

General questions

What is the phone number for Henkel AG & Co. KgaA in Düsseldorf? +49 (0)211 7970

• general references

PhD Studies

Planning your phd, eligibility and application, german or english medium, living as a student, working in germany, get guidance.

With a long tradition of research and ground breaking discoveries, Germany is indeed a land of innovation and progress. Besides giving your ideas a research-based boost, Germany also offers promising career opportunities along with a vibrant social and cultural milieu. So like for many other international students, it can be the right place to pursue a doctoral degree for you too!

Take a quick look

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Starting your doctoral studies is a big step in your academic life. Along with identifying your research area you also have to plan where and in which institute you want to pursue your PhD.

Where does research take place in Germany?

Contemplating pursuing a PhD in Germany?  There are a number of universities, research institutions and business houses that will welcome you. So getting an insight into the research landscape of the country is of paramount importance!

© DAAD India

Research is extensively carried out by and through universities, research organisations and the industry. These three are famously known as the three pillars of research in Germany.

You can take a closer look at this on  Research in Germany .

Which universities should I look at for PhD?

There are various kinds of institutions of higher education in Germany. A majority of these belong to either of the following categories:

Universities and Universities of Technology (TU), are research-oriented and offer a wide variety of subjects. These are the only establishments that can award a PhD degree.

In case you are carrying out your PhD at a research organisation/ University of Applied Sciences, it will always be through a partner university/TU that you will get your degree. Therefore it is important that you fulfill the eligibility criteria of the university/TU as well.

Before you finalise a university or a research institution make sure to check out their websites to know what kind of research is already going on there.

Which is the best university in Germany?

There is no “best university”, neither in one subject and certainly not across all subjects.

DAAD India © CHE Ranking

Germany offers a multidimensional ranking, considering various criteria that are important from a student’s perspective. For example, student and staff judgments on quality of teaching, atmosphere at the university, library and other equipment, student numbers, average study duration, number of graduations, third party funding etc. This way you get a detailed picture of the strengths and weaknesses of each university on university-ranking.de . Here you can find your programme by selecting a subject, a university or even a city in Germany!

As a researcher you should also take the research rankings  into consideration. The criteria for such rankings could be research infrastructure, citations, patents, publications and student reviews, to name a few.

How should I plan my doctorate?

If you have set your mind on a PhD in Germany, you can consider two approaches: the traditional approach i.e. individual doctorate and the structured doctoral programmes.

Individual doctoral studies involve identifying a supervisor ( Doktorvater / Doktormutter ) at a German university who is willing to guide your research. This system offers a lot of freedom, and calls for a great deal of personal initiative right from identifying a topic in your research field. This kind of doctorate takes about 3-5 years to complete.

Structured PhD programmes  are internationally oriented, conducted largely in English and are comparable to PhD programmes offered in English-speaking countries. Here supervision is carried out by several university teachers. These programmes lead to a PhD in about three years.

What if I want to do a part of my PhD research in Germany?

The research Grant: Bi-nationally Supervised Doctoral Degrees / Cotutelle which is also famously known as DAAD Sandwich Scholarship lets you complete your PhD in two countries. The first country being your home country where you are registered as a doctoral student and the second country is but naturally Germany.

You are supervised at your home university as well as at the host institute in Germany. Your doctoral degree is awarded by the home institution. This is the well known “sandwich model”.

While generally as a Master degree holder you will have ticked off the first major requirement, it is always a good idea to check if the university’s requirements and your qualifications match. And then you can start with the application procedure.

Am I eligible to apply for a PhD?

In Germany, every university is autonomous. This means that every university/ study programme has its own set of criteria for admitting students. So please check the university website, and specifically the programme you are interested in. Here you will find the exact admission requirements.

However, some generalisation is  possible. As a Master degree holder from Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal or Sri Lanka your degree is treated at par with a German Master degree. In some cases, further assessment of eligibility will be required. Do clarify the matter of eligibility with the university or the research organisation of your choice before you send in your application.

Some universities may ask for the proof of your English language proficiency in form of TOEFL or IELTS scores. Some universities may ask for good German language skills depending upon subject of your research. In such cases, your knowledge of German needs to be certified through examinations like the TestDaF  or DSH.

How do I go about applying for a PhD?

• PhD Germany   – A portal where German universities advertise openings for doctoral positions
• An interactive database of  Graduate Schools at German universities
• Research Training Groups  coordinated by the German Research Foundation (DFG)
• International Max Planck Research Schools (IMPRS) Academicians from your country who have collaborations with German academicians or your seniors who might be carrying out research in Germany can be a great source of information too!
• Contact and convince a supervisor. Make sure that you approach a potential supervisor the right way and in good time – a brief and well-structured communication with an overview of your research proposal and relevant information about yourself is more likely to get you the right kind of response than a simple email stating that you are interested in doing a PhD!
• Communicate information about your background, academic performance and academic goals.
• Get a letter of acceptance from your supervisor.
• Identify a programme. Contact the selected university. This will be your most important source of information as far as exact details about eligibility, programme structure, fee, application procedure etc. are concerned.
• Check the application deadline for the programme chosen!
• Application forms and other relevant material can be downloaded from the respective university website.
• Send the application packet.
• Get a confirmation of admission.
• The Admission procedures vary for different universities and for different programmes.
• Check about these with the university of your choice or your supervisor.
• Make sure you have a valid passport!
• Apply for a student visa as soon as you have the admission letter, as the procedure can take 8 to 12 weeks. The German Embassy and the Consulates require proof of funding for the first year of studies. At this stage make sure if you need to get the APS certificate ( www.aps-india.de ) that some universities/host professors may insist upon. To find out where you should apply for a visa, visit the website of the Germany Embassy in your country.
• Apply for a place in a hostel. In some cases the International Office ( Akademisches Auslandsamt ) of the university will help you.
• Arrive in Germany at least a week before your course begins.
• Contact the International Office ( Akademisches Auslandsamt ) of your university for guidance.
• Step 6 Get your residence permit within the first three months of your stay in Germany from the Foreigners’ Registration Office ( Ausländeramt ).

Germany offers education in German as well as in English. Different subject fields can have different language requirements.

Can I do my PhD completely in English medium?

Germany offers close to 200 structured international programmes with English as the sole or primary medium of instruction. These programmes are called International Programmes.

Few of these programmes may require students to have learnt/learn some German language during their PhD.

Must I learn German for my PhD?

As you have already seen, Germany offers numerous PhD programmes with English as the sole or primary medium of instruction and the language for your thesis. English is also accepted as a language of research and education in Germany.

However, some universities/ subject fields may expect you to have German language proficiency for your PhD.

As a student in Germany, your life will not be limited to the university campus. You will surely want to interact with people, travel through the country-side and make the best of your time there. This is where knowledge of German will present a great advantage!

Universities offer beginner and well as advanced level courses where you can learn German. You can also start learning the language while you are still in your home country at a  Goethe-Institut (Max Mueller Bhavan) / Goethe-Zentrum.

Do I require to learn German for DAAD scholarship?

To apply for the DAAD PhD scholarship knowledge of the German language is not mandatory. However, after getting the scholarship you will be expected to complete a DAAD sponsored German course. This will help you with your life Germany.

While in a foreign country being able to manage your finances on your own is very important. You would need to plan your budget by keeping your living expenses, travel costs and tuition fees if any in mind.

What kind of budget should I have in my mind?

Fees: As a PhD scholar in Germany, you are exempted from tuition fees. You will need to pay a semester contribution of around Euro 300, depending upon the university and the services or benefits provided.

Living costs : Apart from the tuition fees, if any,  you will require about EUR 934 per month for subsistence i.e. housing, food, clothing, study material and other expenses such as health insurance and leisure activities. The precise split up for this amount will be updated soon. The amounts can vary from city to city, and of course from lifestyle to lifestyle!

The following table shows the split up at the time of the last budget indicated in 2019.

Source: German Student Union (Deutsches Studentenwerk), 2019 

How can I finance my doctorate?

If you are participating in a structured doctoral programme and doing your doctorate at a graduate school, research centre or research training group, the issue of funding is usually resolved with you either working as a research assistant or receiving a scholarship of about EUR 1,000 per month.

If you are pursuing your doctorate on the basis of the traditional approach, you can apply for a job as a research assistant, if there is vacancy.

Working as a research/doctoral assistant involves collaboration in research/teaching and doing administrative work in addition to completing the dissertation. Non-university research institutions like Fraunhofer Institutes and also some companies offer doctoral candidates employment and / or fund their doctoral dissertations.

The DAAD offers the most extensive scholarship programme.  Also a number of foundations support international candidates approved for the doctoral process. A database of scholarships offered by various German organisations can be found at  www.funding-guide.de .

What is a DAAD PhD scholarship like and how can I apply for it?

If you are a well-motivated researcher with high-calibre this research grant supports your complete doctoral studies in Germany. In general the duration of your PhD should not exceed more than four years.

If you have already registered for PhD in your home country and would like to carry out a part of the research in Germany, you may consider applying for Bi-nationally Supervised Doctoral Degrees / Cotutelle scholarship of the DAAD .

An independent selection committee consisting of specialist scientists reviews your applications, wherein your academic qualification, quality of your research project is checked along with your career prospects, motivation and extra curricular activities including your civic engagement.

If you want to do your full PhD in Germany DAAD PhD Scholarship would be more relevant for you. The application deadline is 20 October every year. This is for scholarship starting from October of the following year.

Here is a step-by-step guideline for your application process:

• Collect general information about the DAAD PhD scholarship.
• Thoroughly check the eligibility criteria.
• Attend information sessions or internet-based seminars (webinars) organised by the DAAD.
• Once you have the letter of acceptance from your supervisor/admission letter from your university, complete the application procedure as specified in the scholarship announcement.
• The application deadline typically falls in the month of October the current year for a PhD beginning in the next year.
• Shortlisted applicants from India will be invited for a personal interview around January-February. For Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal and Sri Lanka the procedure will be announced closer to the date of interviews.
• The final decision will be announced for applicants from Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal and Sri Lanka around mid or end of April of the following year.
• Step 4 Once selected, you will have to attend a mandatory German language course, which is a necessary and important part of your scholarship.
• Step 5 After the successful completion of your language course in Germany, your PhD will begin in October.

Living on your own comes with lots of responsibilities, at the same time it can also be very  interesting. It starts with finding a place to stay, learning how to cook, shopping on a budget, making friends and connections. Hope this section helps you with some of your questions.

How do I find accommodation?

Germany offers various types of accommodations:

• Students hall of residence:  Here you can rent rooms provided by  Student Services Organisation ( Studentenwerk ). They are low in cost and preferred by many students. Studentenwerk also provides specially designed Service Kits for international students. Get in touch with Studentenwerk of your city know more.
• Shared Flats ( Wohngemeinschaft – WG) : Shared flat or WG is another affordable accommodation, where you have your own room in a flat and share the kitchen and the bathroom with other flatmates. Living in a shared flat is cheaper as the rent and other expenses  get shared. You can find advertisements for vacancies in WGs online on social media groups or on student-friendly websites.
• Private apartments:  If you prefer living alone, private apartments can be an option for you.  You can find them with the help of Studentenwerk, on boards in the university foyer or even on social media groups and websites for rental real estate.

Make sure to be on the lookout from early on, so that you find the best place at an affordable price.

How do I connect with other students?

Connecting with other students can help you to learn from their experience. It may also help you get acquainted with the lifestyle, once you are in Germany.

• Get in touch with  DAAD Young Ambassadors . They have studied or carried out their research in Germany. Contact them with your questions, they will be happy to guide you!
• You can also find out about various student associations and groups formed by students of your country/ region.
• You can contact students on various socials media platforms as well. There are groups based on nationalities or interests and activities.
• Many universities arrange introductory events. Ask the international office of your university about them. Research institutions too generally run such initiatives.

You can of course work in Germany as long as you follow the regulations, which are not complex and are easy to understand.

Can I work in Germany as a student?

As an international student, you are permitted to work for 120 full days or 240 half days in a year. This will help you in getting a bit of extra pocket-money!OK

Can I work in Germany after my studies?

After completing your degree in Germany, you can choose from amongst a wide range of options:

You can stay on in the country for up to 1.5 years to look for a job that is in keeping with your education. Once you find a job, the residence permit issued to you for the purpose of studying, can be converted into a residence permit for taking gainful employment.

Germany has always had a very strong industry-academia linkage. A lot of scientific research is funded by the industry as well. During your studies you can get the opportunity to do internships with German companies, which can open new vistas for your professional career.

In Germany, a doctorate is a prerequisite for a career in research or higher education. Your options include:

• Teaching/Research Assistantships
• Postdoc Positions
• Research Positions in Industry

The portal  www.academics.com has Germany’s biggest online job market for researchers. There are also scholarships for Postdocs offered by the  Alexander-von-Humboldt Foundation  and other organizations.

Whether you are in India, Nepal or Bhutan, the DAAD is there to help you with your study in Germany plans. Check out how you can reach us!

Individual Appointments

You can connect with the DAAD offices online or offline in Bengaluru ,  Chennai ,  New Delhi  and  Pune .

Information Sessions

The DAAD offers free of cost information session about studying in Germany regularly. Check which dates and topics suit you, register and join!

Click here for dates, timings and registration links: www.daad.in/events .

Writing a Research Proposal

Take a look at the DAAD’s guidelines for writing research proposal

Research Proposal writing: Guidelines 2023

PhD Proposal Writing Workshop

Wondering how to write a PhD proposal? The DAAD offers PhD Proposal Writing Workshop on various topics for aspirants who intend to pursue their doctorate in Germany!

Early Career Research Symposia

The  Early Career Research Symposia offer you a platform to help you propel your research, amplify its reach and get inspired by exchange of ideas.

• Did you find the information about  doctoral studies in Germany useful? Keep the digital  PhD brochure with you, so that it is all handy!
• You will also find the digital brochure Research Proposal Guidelines 2023 useful.
• There is comfort  and certainty in numbers. With the fact sheet Germany India 2022 you can check out actual number of Indian students, what fields they are opting for and which universities they have preferred.

Information on Scholarship Programmes

Scholarship programme 1.

KAAD's scholarship work can be subsumed under three programmes: Scholarship Programme 1 comprises >> the Invitation Programme in cooperation with the focus countries and is aimed at postgraduates and persons with proven professional experience who are usually invited to Germany for postgraduate studies or research stays >> In-country Programme for Master's studies in the home country: at fifteen locations in eight countries (Ethiopia, Ghana, Guatemala, Jordan, Kenya, Lebanon, Peru, Zimbabwe) >> Third-country Programme for Master's studies in a selected third country (e.g. Bangkok/Thailand for students from Myanmar). Third-country scholarships for students from other continents are possible at selected third-country locations. This applies in particular to refugees from Syria studying in Lebanon and Jordan.

Scholarship Programme 1 for Germany

In-country and Third-country Scholarships

Scholarship Programme 2

Scholarship Programme 2 supports students from countries of the Global South who are already studying for their PhD or Master's degree in Germany. The Catholic University Chaplaincies have the right to propose suitable applicants.

Eastern Europe Programme

The Eastern Europe Programme supports - in cooperation with the partner committees - PhD and Master's programmes, as well as shorter study and research stays in Germany.

How to apply

You are living in your home country and would like to come to Germany to study?

You are already living in Germany?

Would you like to study in your home country?

Would you like to study in a country in your home region?

PhD Handbook

PhD Scholarship...

PhD Scholarships in Germany: From Eligibility, Benefits to Phd Stipend in Germany for International Students

Germany is highly known among international students because of its practical emphasis on education and culture, and, it’s free of college fees degree programs at public universities. But the expenditure on learning in Germany is not confined to university fees. Foreign university students are required to pay for their lodgings, meals, extra living costs, and course materials. Even though international students looking for financial aid have a variety of possibilities, the best choice is to secure a decently sponsored scholarship in Germany.

In this blog, we will talk about the various PhD scholarships in Germany, the PhD requirements in Germany for international students that must be fulfilled to obtain a scholarship, and the PhD stipend in Germany that you will receive.

Types of PhD Scholarships in Germany

There are essentially three types of PhD scholarships in Germany: 

• Governmental Financial Aid
• Assistance by Non-Government Organizations
• German University Fellowship

Potential aspirants can receive fully funded PhD in Germany for international students thanks to several scholarships. PhD stipend in Germany varies among different scholarships. Each of the above-mentioned scholarships for international students in Germany have different benefits and eligibility criteria. Let's examine the top choices in each category to decide what is the best option for PhD in Germany for Indian students with scholarships:

Government Funded Germany PhD Scholarships for Indian Students

Foreign students may apply for government-funded scholarships to study for a Ph.D. in Germany. Since every scholarship has a unique set of requirements, one must check out their specific sites to discover further. Following is the list of Government funded PhD scholarships for international students in Germany:

Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft

Germany's principal source of research funding is the DFG. Ph.D. money is provided to universities' designated centers for continuous ph.d. training. Students may apply for opportunities funded by this list.

Read: Studying in Germany Cost

The DAAD (Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst)

The DAAD, also known as the German Academic Exchange Service, sponsors about 100,000 students and researchers, both in Germany and abroad.

• Research funding for Ph.D. programs in Germany is available to international students pursuing a Ph.D. at a German university. A maximum of four years is awarded for scholarships.
• To pursue a Ph.D. in their native country with support from German academics and universities, students are awarded research funding for bi-nationally sponsored PhDs and have the option to spend up to two years conducting research in Germany.
• Students who want to conduct research internships in Germany for a short period can apply for short-term grants.

Read: PhD Programs & Universities in Germany

StipendiumPlus

The German Federal Ministry of Education and Research distributes money through StipendiumPlus, which normally supports 4,000 Ph.D. students annually.

The StipendiumPlus network consists of 13 distinct financial activities. Most try to assist candidates coming from particular national or political backgrounds.

Non-Government Funded PhD Scholarships for Indian Students in Germany

Numerous organizations additionally provide a specific full scholarship for Ph.D. students at universities in Germany in addition to the awards funded by the government. Let's examine the numerous options for PhD in Germany for Indian students with scholarships:

Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung Scholarships

Foreign students may register for Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung or KAS Scholarships if they wish to get admitted to a Ph.D. program in Germany. The incentive is awarded for one year.

MBA Scholarships in Germany

Heinrich Böll Foundation

The Heinrich Böll Foundation awards several scholarships at various academic levels to both German and international applicants. The organization, on the other hand, primarily awards financial aid to students who desire to study STEM subjects , especially in courses that have a strong emphasis on environmental science.

Fraunhofer Society

The Fraunhofer Society is a network that assists students with their specific Ph.D. projects over the course of a typical three-year agreement. They focus on scientific, engineering, and technological applied research. 

Read: Education Loan for Germany

University Provided PhD Fellowship in Germany

German universities offer their funding in addition to working with research institutions and giving out government grants. Let us go through some university-funded scholarships in Germany below:

Ludwig Maximillian University Munich

One of Munich's top-ranked universities is LMU . In this method, you work with a professor or peer to supervise the completion of your doctoral thesis.

Heidelberg University

Heidelberg University is among the handful of German universities that offers academic scholarships and research funding for Ph.D. programs. You can select chemistry, biochemistry, environmental science, or sustainability-related study topics. Doctoral candidates at Heidelberg University have access to a variety of funding options.

Freie University of Berlin

One of the most well-known German universities offering Ph.D. degrees is the Freie University of Berlin . Under the guidance of a professor, a doctorate can be pursued with research areas available across the Free University campus. 

Read: Tips to Fund Education in Germany

One must finish their study and make plans in advance if one wants to be qualified for well-funded scholarships in Germany. Be mindful of the German scholarship registration deadlines and begin the process early to avoid any issues. Become a Yocket Premium member and connect with our knowledgeable staff of counselors if you have any questions about PhD in Germany for Indian students with scholarship.  

Frequently Asked Questions About PhD in Germany for Indian Students with Scholarships

Is German proficiency a requirement for PhD scholarships in Germany?

No, German language fluency is not required for many scholarships in Germany. While certain programs may need competency, your knowledge of German may be disregarded if you are applying to an English-language program.

Are the German doctoral scholarships completely funded?

Some of the German Ph.D. scholarships for overseas students cover all costs, while others give recipients a sizeable monthly payment along with several other perks.

What are the prerequisites for Scholarships in Germany?

The majority of the awards are merit-based. Maintain your GPA, and you won't encounter any issues receiving your scholarship.

Are there distinct scholarships available for various Ph.D. fields?

Yes, some scholarships apply to different fields of research studies but also specific field-related scholarships.

Is it easy to get a Ph.D. scholarship in Germany?

There are tons of scholarship options available in German universities and other government or private organizations. If you have maintained a good profile throughout your learning years then you won’t have any issues in acquiring a scholarship.

Rohan Deshmukh

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