Funding Opportunities
1. DAAD grants for international German Studies scholars
The DAAD grants we offer are part of the DAAD Graduate School Scholarship Programme (GSSP). They are aimed at international students of German literature and culture (“Germanist*innen”) who intend to pursue a doctorate in literary studies, are not German nationals, and either currently reside outside Germany or have moved to Germany no earlier than the year in which the scholarship is set to begin.
After successfully completing the selection process, candidates are also required to submit their application via the DAAD portal. The final decision rests with the funding agency.
2. Short-term fellowships for applicants from the Global South
The short-term fellowships are aimed at applicants from the Global South with a background in literary studies. They support participants in preparing for a research stay at the FSGS, developing their doctoral project, and subsequently applying for external doctoral funding.
Between April and October 2026, fellows will take part in a digital programme offering information on funding opportunities as well as individual coaching. In addition, they will complete a three-month research stay at the FSGS either between May and July or between October and December, during which they will receive a monthly scholarship of EUR 1,450.
Applications are open to early-career researchers from the Global South who hold a very good Master’s degree in German Studies or a related field, intend to pursue a comparative literary doctorate at Freie Universität Berlin under the supervision of one of the FSGS principal investigators (PIs), do not hold a German passport, and currently reside in a country of the Global South. Applicants must also demonstrate German and English language proficiency at C1/B2 level.
3. PhD positions at the Friedrich Schlegel Graduate School with secured external funding
PhD students with their own funding (e.g. scholarships from foundations or positions as research assistants) may apply for affiliation with the Graduate School. These positions are available for a period of three to four years, include a travel budget of EUR 3,000, and allow for additional funding requests to the board for organising their own events.
In addition, our doctoral researchers become part of the Graduate School’s extensive network, participate in colloquia and events, and maintain regular contact with their supervisors, all of whom are members of the circle of principal investigators (PIs) at the FSGS.
4. PhD positions at the Friedrich Schlegel Graduate School without secured external funding
Researchers without secured external funding may also apply for a PhD position at the Graduate School. The FSGS offers a nine-month fellowship (formerly known as a “Projektstipendium”) of EUR 1,103 per month to up to five outstanding applicants. Fellowship recipients also take part in a programme designed to support them in securing external funding. This programme begins on 1 June 2026.
Applicants who are admitted but not awarded a scholarship will receive support from the Graduate School in securing external funding for their doctoral studies. They may also participate in selected programme activities and complete digital modules.
Please note that the FSGS is a structured doctoral programme that can only be pursued on a full-time basis. We strongly recommend securing funding for your doctoral studies through external sources and advise against self-funding through non-academic employment. If you have access to funding sources other than standard institutional support (such as scholarships or academic positions) and do not wish to apply for external funding, please indicate this in your application.
5. CSC fellowships within the FUB-CSC program for researchers in the humanities from the PR China with a focus on German Studies
CSC fellowships with a duration of three to four years are awarded as part of the FUB–CSC programme. Funding is available exclusively to candidates from the People’s Republic of China who wish to pursue a PhD at the FSGS in a humanities discipline with a focus on German Studies.
Candidates nominated by the FSGS will be informed about the next steps by the FUB–CSC Office and must submit their application via the CSC portal after successfully completing the FSGS selection process. The final decision rests with the funding agency.
Application Process
After we have reviewed the applications, you will be informed if your application cannot be considered for formal reasons. All formally eligible applications then undergo an internal review process. The selection committee conducts an internal vote to determine which applicants will be invited to the selection interviews.
During the interviews, each applicant gives a 5–10 minute oral presentation of their project, followed by a 10–15 minute discussion. The prospective supervisors named in the application are also invited to attend. There is no need to bring your application documents to the interview.
Applicants will receive a final decision shortly after the selection interviews.
The short-term fellowships for applicants from the Global South start no earlier than April.
The doctoral programme for those awarded a PhD position begins in October.
DAAD and CSC scholarships also begin in October.
