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We have compiled an overview of the largest scholarship and funding programmes for doctoral students as well as some web tips for you on this page:

Scholarships from the Free State of Saxony

The individual universities award scholarships that are funded by the state budgets, regardless of subject and degree. Doctoral students who apply for a state graduate scholarship must have passed an above-average examination. In addition, the dissertation must make an important contribution to science. Each university has a certain number of scholarships at its disposal and decides on the allocation itself. Applications for funding must be submitted to the university at which the doctorate will be completed. Scholarships are usually announced in the first quarter of each year.

The corresponding regulation of the Saxon State Ministry of Science and the Arts on the awarding of Saxon state scholarships can be found here.

Currently no announcement.

  • Funding for returning to academic work for doctoral candidates who have interrupted their doctorate for at least 9 months due to childcare
  • Applications can be sent informally at any time to wopat [at] tu-freiberg [dot] de (Dr Dr Wopat), who will then clarify the formalities with you. It is advisable to submit the application before the start of the interruption, ideally by the beginning of November of the previous year, so that the necessary funds can be applied for from the Ministry of Science at an early stage.

The associated guidelines of the Saxon State Ministry of Science and the Arts on the awarding of scholarships to promote re-entry into academic work can be found here.

Support programmes in Germany

The website http://www.stipendiumplus.de provides an overview, including information on the requirements and access options as well as the amount of financial benefits.

You can find information on funding opportunities, including how to apply for a research project with research assistant positions, on the website of the German Research Foundation (DFG) http://www.dfg.de/

German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD)

The DAAD is the world's largest funding organisation for the international exchange of students and researchers. You can find support in your search for a doctoral position in Germany for international graduates in the Databases of the DAAD (DAAD placement platform PhDGermany: German universities and research institutions publish their doctoral programmes).

In the Scholarship database of the DAAD you will find information about programmes for stays abroad.

Private foundations

The topic of the dissertation is often decisive for funding from private foundations: it should match the focus of the foundation. Another difference to the organisations for the promotion of gifted students is that, in the case of private foundations, it is usually only the applicant's academic qualifications that are decisive in the selection process; social commitment often does not have to be demonstrated. On the other hand, the number of scholarships advertised is significantly lower than that of the organisations for the promotion of gifted students. The following are examples of two foundations that fit the profile of TU Bergakademie Freiberg.

Thematic focus: changing annually
www.evonik-stiftung.de

PhD scholarships

60 doctoral scholarships per year
Thematic focus: The doctoral thesis must have a clear connection to the environmental situation in Germany or to global environmental challenges with clear relevance for Germany.
Deadlines: 15 January and 15 June of each year
www.dbu.de/stipendien_promotion

Scholarships for university graduates from the countries of Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) for further qualification in the field of environmental protection and nature conservation - also for doctoral students if the doctorate is not completed during the scholarship

Funding period: 6 - 12 months
www.dbu.de/stipendien_international

Many of the small foundations are administered by the Stifterverband für die Deutsche Wissenschaft, so they do not have their own office or website. It makes sense to research which foundation will be offering doctoral scholarships.
www.stifterverband.de

General web tips

You can search for a scholarship or a suitable funding programme either in the database of the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), Funding Guide, the service centre for electronic research funding information ELFI or in the Scholarship Guide from Lernen.net. You can also find out more

Promotion of the doctoral degree

For women and fathers whose project progress has been delayed by family commitments, there is the opportunity to apply to the Rectorate Commission for Diversity, Equality and Inclusion for a scholarship to support the completion of a doctorate for a maximum of six months by 28 February and 31 August each year. A prior consultation with the Faculty's Equal Opportunities Officer is mandatory, during which they present the project status achieved, including the chapters already developed and the work programme planned for the funding period. The Scholarship Regulations contains all the important information.

 

If you know of any scholarship programmes that you cannot find here, we would be pleased to receive a note, which you can send to corina [dot] dunger [at] grafa [dot] tu-freiberg [dot] de (Dr. Dunger).