Thuringian State Graduate Support Doctoral Scholarships 2026 – University of Erfurt, Germany

📌 Summary

The University of Erfurt, Germany is offering up to four doctoral scholarships under the Thuringian State Graduate Support programme for excellent doctoral projects within the Erfurt Doctoral and Postdoctoral Programme (EPPP). The scholarships support doctoral researchers affiliated with a certified Graduate Centre at the University of Erfurt or the Max-Weber-Kolleg.

The funding starts from 1 April 2027 and normally covers three years, with the possibility of a one-year extension. Successful scholars will receive a €1,400 monthly basic scholarship, along with additional family and research-related allowances where applicable.

🎓 Designation

Doctoral Researcher / PhD Scholarship Holder

🔬 Research Area

The scholarship is open to excellent doctoral projects across the research areas represented by the University of Erfurt’s certified Graduate Centres and the Max-Weber-Kolleg. Applicants must apply to one Graduate Centre or the Max-Weber-Kolleg; simultaneous applications to multiple Graduate Centres are not permitted.

📍 Location

University of Erfurt, Erfurt, Thuringia, Germany

🎓 Eligibility / Qualification

Applicants must meet the following requirements:

• Demonstrate above-average academic achievements and examination results and particular aptitude for academic research.
• Be accepted as a doctoral candidate by a University of Erfurt faculty or the Max-Weber-Kolleg by the beginning of the funding period at the latest.
• Be matriculated at the University of Erfurt by the start of funding.
• Become a full member of the relevant Graduate Centre or Max-Weber-Kolleg by the start of the funding period.
• Provide proof of current health insurance by the beginning of the funding period.
• Not receive inadmissible simultaneous funding from other public funds for the same period and purpose.
• Paid research/teaching employment is permitted for up to 12 hours per week; other employment is permitted for up to 5 hours per week.
• Teaching participation must not exceed an average of two teaching hours per academic year.

💰 Scholarship Benefits

Selected doctoral researchers will receive:

• €1,400 per month basic scholarship.
• €300/month family allowance for the first dependent child.
• €150/month for each additional dependent child.
• Up to €600 per funding year for research-related materials and travel expenses, subject to available funds.
• Access to research and networking activities.
• Academic Skills Training opportunities.
• Science communication platforms and professional networking opportunities.

📝 Job Description / Scholarship Expectations

Scholarship holders are expected to actively participate in the academic environment of their Graduate Centre or the Max-Weber-Kolleg. Their responsibilities include:

• Conducting high-quality doctoral research according to the approved research proposal.
• Regular participation in the programme of the relevant Graduate Centre or Max-Weber-Kolleg.
• Completing at least six Academic Skills Training courses.
• Actively participating in academic networking activities.
• Submitting a project progress report after 18 months of funding.
• Following the proposed research and work schedule throughout the doctoral funding period.

📄 Documents Required

Applicants should prepare the following documents:

1. Cover letter of maximum two pages.
2. Tabular CV and completed CV supplement form.
3. Doctoral project exposé including:
   • Research question
   • Current state of research
   • Methodological approach
   • Bibliography
   • Maximum 6–8 pages, excluding cover page and bibliography
   • Three-year work and time schedule
4. Confirmation of contact with a Graduate Centre/Max-Weber-Kolleg or membership/admission form.
5. Confirmation of doctoral acceptance, if already available.
6. List of publications and presentations, if applicable.
7. Degree certificates.
8. Complete copy of the final Diploma/Magister/Master’s thesis.
9. Signed consent for processing of personal data.
10. Current letter of recommendation for the doctoral project.

The recommendation letter must be submitted separately by the referee via email and should not be included in the main application PDF.

📩 How to Apply

Applicants must combine all application documents, except the separately submitted recommendation letter, into one PDF file of no more than 5 MB, including a table of contents and following the required order.

Send the complete application by email to:

graduiertenfoerderung@uni-erfurt.de

Email subject:
Application for the State Graduate Scholarship 2026 – surname, first name

The recommendation letter must be sent separately and on time by the professor/university teacher to the same email address.

Applications that are incomplete, fail to meet formal requirements, or arrive after the deadline will not be considered.

📅 Last Date to Apply

24 November 2026, 11:59 p.m. CET

Funding starts: 1 April 2027
Latest possible start: 1 July 2027

📞 Contact

Ms Xiaolei Dong
Research and Graduate Services
University of Erfurt
📧 graduiertenfoerderung@uni-erfurt.de
☎️ +49 (0)361 737-5042

Note: The number of scholarships depends on the availability and allocation of the required state funds. There is no legal entitlement to receive a scholarship.

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