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

• have a master’s degree, a “Staatsexamen” or equivalent degree in German Studies at an institution of higher education (the degree must have been completed not more than five years ago);
• reside outside of Germany or have only moved to Germany in the year of their application;
• have very good knowledge of German and English;
• provide an exposé that demonstrates the dissertation project to be innovative, independent and theoretically valuable;
• find a suitable first advisor from among our list of PIs;
• make a deliberate and well-reasoned decision to pursue a structured doctoral studies program.

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

• have a master’s degree, a “Staatsexamen,” or an equivalent university degree in a program with a strong focus on literary studies at an institution of higher education;
• live in one of the countries of the Global South;
• aspire getting their PhD at Freie Universität Berlin / FSGS;
• have very good knowledge of both German and English;
• provide an exposé that demonstrates the dissertation project to be innovative, independent and theoretically valuable; find a suitable first supervisor from among our list of PIs (there is no need to contact them in advance);
• make a deliberate and well-reasoned decision to pursue a structured doctoral studies program.

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3. Applicants for a PhD position in the structured doctoral studies program “Literary Studies” should:

• have a master’s degree, a “Staatsexamen,” or an equivalent degree in a program with a strong focus on literary studies at an institution of higher education;
• have very good knowledge of both German and English;
• provide an exposé that demonstrates the dissertation project to be innovative, independent and theoretically valuable;
• find a suitable first supervisor from among our list of PIs, who supports the application at FSGS;
• make a deliberate and well-reasoned decision to pursue a structured doctoral studies program;
• be able to provide proof of already secured funding (scholarships by foundations or positions as research assistants) or have ongoing plans to work on an application for external funding.
• Those who are offered a scholarship and participation in the program for securing external funding must be enrolled at FU Berlin by June in order to start the scholarship.

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4. Applicants from the PR China for a CSC fellowship within the the structured doctoral studies program “Literary Studies” should:

• have a master’s degree, a “Staatsexamen,” or an equivalent degree in a program with a strong focus on literary studies at an institution of higher education;

• have very good knowledge of both German and English;

• provide an exposé that demonstrates the dissertation project to be innovative, independent and theoretically valuable;

• pursue a PhD with a focus on German Studies;

• be a citizen of the PR China;

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

• make a deliberate and well-reasoned decision to pursue a structured doctoral studies program;

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

The PhD program begins on October 01.
Funding for the program to support the acquisition of external funding (formely project grants, “Projektstipendium”) starts in June.

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