About the opportunity
What this programme is offering
The University of Erfurt is inviting applications for up to four doctoral scholarships funded through the Thuringian State Graduate Support for the 2027 funding cycle.
The scholarships support excellent doctoral research projects within the Erfurt Doctoral and Postdoctoral Programme (EPPP).
Successful applicants will receive a monthly basic scholarship of €1,400, with additional financial support available for eligible dependants and approved research-related expenses.
The standard funding period is three years, with the possibility of an extension for one additional year.
Funding is scheduled to begin on 1 April 2027, while applications must be submitted by 24 November 2026 at 11:59 p.m. CET.
About the University of Erfurt Doctoral Scholarships
The scholarships support doctoral candidates whose research projects are hosted within one of the University of Erfurt's certified Graduate Centres or the Max-Weber-Kolleg.
The programme is intended for candidates with strong academic records and promising doctoral research projects.
Selection considers both:
The applicant's academic achievements; and
The quality, significance and feasibility of the proposed doctoral research.
Applicants are expected to demonstrate their suitability for academic research through their examination results, previous academic work, research potential and methodological approach.
Up to four scholarships will be awarded, subject to the availability and allocation of the necessary state funding.
Scholarship Benefits
Successful doctoral scholars will receive several forms of financial and academic support.
Financial Support
€1,400 per month as the basic scholarship amount.
€300 per month for the first dependent child.
€150 per month for each additional dependent child.
Up to €600 per funding year for eligible research-related materials and travel costs, subject to available funds and approval.
Standard funding period of three years.
Possibility of extending the scholarship by one additional year upon request.
Academic and Research Support
Scholarship holders will also have access to:
Research and networking opportunities.
Academic Skills Training provided by the University.
Opportunities for science communication and public engagement.
Scholarship holders are expected to participate actively in their Graduate Centre or Max-Weber-Kolleg programme.
They must also:
Attend at least six Academic Skills Training courses.
Participate in academic networking activities.
Submit a report on the progress of their doctoral project after 18 months.
Who Can Apply?
Applicants must meet the required conditions by the beginning of the funding period.
Candidates must have above-average academic achievements and examination results demonstrating particular aptitude for academic research.
They must also be accepted as a doctoral candidate by one of the University of Erfurt's faculties or the Max-Weber-Kolleg by the start of the funding period at the latest.
Successful applicants must:
Be matriculated at the University of Erfurt.
Hold full membership in the relevant Graduate Centre or Max-Weber-Kolleg by the start of the funding period.
Provide proof of current health insurance.
Comply with the University's rules concerning other sources of funding.
Employment During the Scholarship
Employment alongside the scholarship is subject to restrictions.
Research and teaching employment at a higher education institution or non-university research institution may be undertaken for no more than 12 hours per week.
Other employment is limited to five hours per week.
Teaching participation must not exceed an average of two teaching hours per academic year.
Applicants should carefully review the applicable funding rules before accepting additional employment during the scholarship period.
Required Application Documents
Applicants must prepare a complete application package and submit the documents in the specified order.
The application should include a cover letter of no more than two pages explaining:
The selected Graduate Centre or Max-Weber-Kolleg.
The reasons for applying.
The current progress of the doctoral project.
Relevant personal circumstances, where the applicant wishes to provide them.
Applicants must also provide:
A tabular CV and completed CV supplement.
An exposé of the doctoral project.
A research project outline of approximately 6–8 pages, excluding the cover page and bibliography.
A three-year work and time schedule.
Confirmation of contact with the relevant Graduate Centre or Max-Weber-Kolleg.
Confirmation of doctoral acceptance, if already available.
A list of academic publications and presentations, where applicable.
Degree certificates.
A complete copy of the final Diploma, Magister or Master's thesis.
Signed consent concerning the processing of personal data.
Translation Requirements
Applicants whose degree documents are not in German or English must provide certified translations into one of these languages.
If the final thesis is not written in German or English, applicants must also provide a summary of no more than two pages in German or English.
Recommendation Letter Required
In addition to the main application PDF, applicants must arrange for a current, signed recommendation letter for the doctoral project.
The recommendation must be completed using the University's prescribed form by a professor or other university teacher at the University of Erfurt or another higher education institution.
Important Submission Requirement
The recommendation letter must not be included in the applicant's main PDF.
Instead, the reviewer must submit the recommendation separately and on time by email to the University.
How to apply