Advice
PhD Postions
You may find a position as a doctoral candidate via specific newsletters and the websites of universities and research institutes. In case you are looking for a good place for your research project you might be successful by using the Research Explorer.
Please note:
For an employment contract with a German university or research institution you need a Statement of Comparability of your foreign higher education qualification, issued by the "Zentralstelle für ausländisches Bildungswesen" (Central Office for Foreign Education – ZAB)
> Portals for finding doctoral positions
PhDGermany
Database with open positions for doctorates in Germany
International Programmes
Datenbase of the DAAD for international Study- and Doctoral Programmes
EURAXESS
Information and assistance to mobile researchers
Academics
Career portal offering positions in science.
Jobvector
Job Portal für scientists, physicians, and engineers
> Scholarships
> Current opportunities
Fulbright Scholarship Programme “Research and Teaching” for Researchers with a Doctorate
Are you planning a research or teaching stay in the USA after completing your doctorate? The “Research and Teaching” programme offers you the opportunity to receive a scholarship at a university or research institution in the United States.
We support three- to nine-month research and teaching projects starting between 1 August 2027 and 31 May 2028. The scholarship covers living expenses in the USA with EUR 3,000 per month and, where applicable, allowances for accompanying family members. It also includes health and accident insurance, free Fulbright J-1 visa sponsorship, participation in the Fulbright Seminar from 22 to 25 April 2027, and membership in the international Fulbright network.
Apply now: Fulbright Research and Teaching Programme
Application deadline: 7 October 2026 at 13:59 CEST
You can contact us by email at: germanscholars@fulbright.de
Fulbright Scholarship Programme for Doctoral Candidates
Are you planning a research stay in the USA as part of your doctorate? The Fulbright Doctoral Scholarship Programme offers you the opportunity to receive a scholarship at a university or research institution in the United States.
We support four- to six-month research projects starting between 1 August and 31 December 2027. The scholarship covers living expenses in the USA with EUR 2,400 per month and, where applicable, allowances for accompanying family members. It also includes health and accident insurance, free Fulbright J-1 visa sponsorship, participation in the Fulbright Seminar from 22 to 25 April 2027, and membership in the international Fulbright network.
Apply now: Fulbright Doctoral Programme
Application deadline: 7 October 2026 at 13:59 CEST
We invite you to an information session on 5 August 2026 from 12:00 to 13:30 and will be happy to answer your questions. Please register here.
You can contact us by email at: doktoranden@fulbright.de
Ph.D. Funding from the Cusanuswerk
The Cusanuswerk offers doctoral funding for Catholic PhD candidates in all disciplines.
Eligible applicants are graduates with promising research ideas and a record of voluntary engagement. The funding includes a monthly scholarship of €1,850 as well as an accompanying educational program.
Further information about the doctoral funding can be found here.
PhD-fellowships Boehringer Ingelheim Fonds
The Boehringer Ingelheim Fonds (BIF) awards PhD fellowships of 2 to 3.5 years to outstanding junior scientists worldwide who wish to pursue an ambitious PhD project in basic biomedical research in an internationally leading laboratory.
There are three deadlines each year: 1 February, 1 June, 1 October.
The Boehringer Ingelheim Fonds (BIF) awards MD fellowships of up to 18 months to outstanding medical students to pursue ambitious, experimental projects in basic biomedical research worldwide. Fellowship holders must study human medicine in Germany and change cities and institutions for at least ten consecutive months to work in an internationally renowned laboratory. Applications can be submitted at any time, but no later than three months before the change of location or the intended start of the research.