The application deadline for the 2026 FSGS call has passed. The 2027 call will be published in the fall of 2026.

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1. International applicants for a DAAD grant (in German Studies) for the structured doctoral programme “Literary Studies” should:

• hold a Master’s degree, Staatsexamen, or an equivalent qualification in German Studies from an institution of higher education (the degree must have been completed no more than five years prior to the application);
• reside outside Germany or have only moved to Germany in the year of application;
• have very good proficiency of both German and English;
• submit an exposé demonstrating that the dissertation project is innovative, independent, and theoretically sound;
• identify a suitable first supervisor from the list of principal investigators PIs;
• make a clear and well-founded decision to pursue a structured doctoral programme.

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2. Applicants for a short-term fellowship for researchers in literary studies from the Global South must meet the following requirements:

• hold a Master’s degree, Staatsexamen, or an equivalent university qualification in a programme with a strong focus on literary studies from an institution of higher education;
• reside in one of the countries of the Global South;
• intend to pursue a PhD at Freie Universität Berlin / FSGS;
• have very good proficiency of both German and English;
• submit an exposé demonstrating that the dissertation project is innovative, independent, and theoretically sound;
• identify a suitable first supervisor from the list of principal investigators PIs; (there is no need to contact them in advance);
• make a clear and well-founded decision to pursue a structured doctoral programme.

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3. Applicants for a PhD position in the structured doctoral programme “Literary Studies” should meet the following requirements:

• hold a Master’s degree, Staatsexamen, or an equivalent university qualification in a programme with a strong focus on literary studies from an institution of higher education;
• have very good proficiency of both German and English;
• submit an exposé demonstrating that the dissertation project is innovative, independent, and theoretically sound;
• identify a suitable first supervisor from the list of principal investigators of PIs, who supports the application at the FSGS;
• make a clear and well-founded decision to pursue a structured doctoral programme.
• be able to provide proof of already secured funding (e.g. scholarships from foundations or positions as research assistants), or have concrete plans to apply for external funding.
• Applicants who are awarded a scholarship and participate in the programme for securing external funding must be enrolled at Freie Universität Berlin by June in order to begin the scholarship.

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4. Applicants from the People’s Republic of China for a CSC fellowship within the structured doctoral programme “Literary Studies” should meet the following requirements:

• hold a Master’s degree, Staatsexamen, or an equivalent university qualification in a programme with a strong focus on literary studies from an institution of higher education;

• have very good proficiency of both German and English;

• submit an exposé demonstrating that the dissertation project is innovative, independent, and theoretically sound;

• pursue a PhD in German Studies;

• be a citizen of the PR China;

• identify a suitable first supervisor from the list of principal investigators of PIs, who supports the application at the FSGS (there is no need to contact them in advance);

• make a clear and well-founded decision to pursue a structured doctoral programme.

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Please also take the time to familiarize yourself with the requirements of the discipline in which you plan to pursue your doctoral studies.

The PhD programme begins on 1 October.
Funding for the programme to support the acquisition of external funding (formerly project grants, “Projektstipendium”) starts in June.

You are welcome to contact our office if you have any further questions.