1. Necessary documents to apply for a DAAD grant for international students of German literature and culture:

The online application portal will be opened as soon as the call for applications has been published in autumn. The portal offers further assistance and explanations, so please create an account early. Please prepare the following documents as PDFs:

• a summary of the dissertation project (max. one page)

• an exposé showing that the dissertation is innovative, independent and theoretically sound (ca. eight to ten pages in German or English);

• a work schedule and time schedule outlining the three-year project;

• a work sample (no longer than 15–20 pages);

• a CV (no photo or information on the applicant’s age required) which, if applicable, indicates how long you have been living in Germany;

• a letter of motivation that describes why you are applying at FSGS and how you want to contribute to the success of the school (in German or English, two to three pages);

• copies of certificates: university entrance qualification; university degrees;

• language certificates for German and English (one language at least at level C1, the other one at least at level B2), unless these languages are your native languages.

• contact details of two experts in the field (generally university faculty) who are willing to write a letter of recommendation for you. The letter of recommendation is uploaded directly by the reviewers to the online application portal. The persons you specify will receive an automated email from the system. Please explain the procedure to them when you contact them in advance of your application and ask for the letter of recommendation. Letters of recommendation can be uploaded up to seven days after the application deadline. Please communicate this date to the people you are asking for a letter of recommendation well in advance.

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2. Necessary documents to apply for a short-term fellowship:

The online application portal will be opened as soon as the call for applications has been published in autumn. The portal offers further assistance and explanations, so please create an account early. Please prepare the following documents as PDFs:

• an exposé showing that the dissertation is an innovative, independent and theoretically sound research project (ca. eight to ten pages in German or English);

• a one-page summary of your dissertation project;

• a work and time schedule outlining the three-year project

• a work sample (no longer than 15–20 pages);

• a CV (no photo or information on the applicant’s age required);

• a letter of motivation that describes why you are applying at FSGS and how you want to contribute to the success of the school (in German or English, two to three pages);

• copies of certificates: university entrance qualification and university degrees;

• language certificates for German and English (one language at least at level C1, the other one at least at level B2), unless these languages are your native languages.;

• contact details of two experts in the field (generally, university faculty) who are willing to write a letter of recommendation for you. The letter of recommendation is uploaded directly by the reviewers to the online application portal. The persons you specify will receive an automated email from the system. When contacting them in advance of your application to request a letter of recommendation, please also explain the procedure to them. Letters of recommendation can be uploaded up to seven days after the application deadline. Please communicate this date to the people you are asking for a letter of recommendation well in advance.

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3. Necessary documents to apply for a PhD position in the structured doctoral studies program “Literary Studies”:

The online application portal will be opened as soon as the call for applications has been published in autumn. The portal offers further assistance and explanations, so please create an account early. Please prepare the following documents as PDFs:

• an exposé showing that the dissertation is an innovative, independent and theoretically sound research project (ca. eight to ten pages in German or English);

• a one-page summary of your dissertation project;

• a work and time schedule outlining the three-year project;

• a work sample (no longer than 15–20 pages);

• a CV (no photo or information on the applicant’s age required);

• a letter of motivation that describes why you are applying at FSGS and how you want to contribute to the success of the school (in German or English, two to three pages);

• copies of certificates: university entrance qualification and university degrees;

• language certificates for German and English (one language at least at level C1, the other one at least at level B2), unless these languages are your native languages.

• If you have already secured external funding: letter by the first supervisor that supports the application at FSGS and proof of external funding (e.g., research assistant position or funding through a foundation).

• Applicants who haven’t secured external funding: contact details of two experts in the field (generally, university faculty) who are willing to write a letter of recommendation for you. When contacting them in advance of your application to request a letter of recommendation, please also explain the procedure to them. Letters of recommendation can be uploaded up to seven days after the application deadline. Please communicate this date to the people you are asking for a letter of recommendation well in advance.

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4. Necessary documents to apply for a CSC fellowship within the FUB-CSC program:

The online application portal will be opened as soon as the call for applications has been published in autumn. The portal offers further assistance and explanations, so please create an account early. Please prepare the following documents as PDFs:

• an exposé showing that the dissertation is an innovative, independent and theoretically sound research project (ca. eight to ten pages in German or English);

• a one-page summary of your dissertation project;

• a work and time schedule outlining the three-year project;

• a work sample (no longer than 15–20 pages);

• a CV (no photo or information on the applicant’s age required) which, if applicable, indicates how long you have been living in Germany;

• a letter of motivation that describes why you are applying at FSGS and how you want to contribute to the success of the school (in German or English, two to three pages);

• copies of certificates: university entrance qualification and university degrees;

• language certificates for German and English (one language at least at level C1, the other one at least at level B2), unless these languages are your native languages;

• contact details of two experts in the field (generally, university faculty) who are willing to write a letter of recommendation for you. The letter of recommendation is uploaded directly by the reviewers to the online application portal. The persons you specify will receive an automated email from the system. When contacting them in advance of your application to request a letter of recommendation, please also explain the procedure to them. Letters of recommendation can be uploaded up to seven days after the application deadline. Please communicate this date to the people you are asking for a letter of recommendation well in advance.

The application deadline ends on 16 November 2025 at 23:59 CET.

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Please have the necessary documents ready as PDF files (respective maximum size: 2 MB). All entries to the online portal will be saved automatically and can be edited after login until the application is ready to be submitted.