Application documents
1. Required application documents for a DAAD grant (German studies):
The online application portal opens once the call for applications is published in autumn. As the portal provides additional guidance, we recommend creating an account early. Please prepare all documents as PDF files.
-
a summary of the dissertation project (max. one page)
-
an exposé demonstrating that the project is innovative, independent, and theoretically sound (approx. 8–10 pages, in German or English)
-
a work and time schedule for the three-year project
-
a work sample (15–20 pages);
-
a CV (no photo or age required; please indicate length of residence in Germany, if applicable)
-
a letter of motivation (2–3 pages, in German or English)
-
copies of certificates (university entrance qualification and university degrees)
-
language certificates in German and English (one at least C1, the other at least B2 CEFR), unless native proficiency applies
-
Contact details of two academic referees
Letters of recommendation must be uploaded directly by the referees via the portal. They will receive an automated request. Please contact them in advance and inform them of the procedure. Letters may be submitted up to seven days after the application deadline.
2. Required application documents 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.
3. Required application documents for a PhD position in the structured doctoral studies program “Literary Studies”:
The online application portal opens once the call for applications is published in autumn. As the portal provides additional guidance, we recommend creating an account early. Please prepare all documents as PDF files.
-
an exposé (approx. 8–10 pages, in German or English)
-
a one-page project summary;
-
a work and time schedule for the three-year project;
-
a work sample (15–20 pages);
-
a CV (no photo or age required);
-
a letter of motivation (2–3 pages, in German or English);
-
copies of certificates (university entrance qualification and university degrees);
-
language certificates (German and English: C1/B2 CEFR);
-
If external funding has already been secured: a letter from the first supervisor supporting the application and a proof of funding (e.g. scholarship or research assistant position)
-
If no external funding has been secured: Contact details of two academic referees (letters uploaded as described above)
4. Required application documents for a CSC fellowship within the FUB-CSC program:
The online application portal opens once the call for applications is published in autumn. As the portal provides additional guidance, we recommend creating an account early. Please prepare all documents as PDF files.
-
an exposé (approx. 8–10 pages, in German or English);
-
a one-page project summary;
-
a work and time schedule for the three-year project;
-
a work sample (15–20 pages);
-
a CV (no photo or age required; include length of residence in Germany, if applicable);
-
a letter of motivation (2–3 pages, in German or English);
-
copies of certificates (university entrance qualification and university degrees);
-
language certificates (German and English: C1/B2 CEFR);
-
Contact details of two academic referees;
Letters of recommendation follow the same procedure and deadline as above.
Please upload all documents as PDF files (maximum size: 2 MB per file). All entries in the online portal are saved automatically and can be edited after login until submission.
