University of Erfurt Thuringian State Graduate Support Doctoral Scholarships 2027 | €1,400 Monthly Stipend, Germany

The University of Erfurt is offering up to four Thuringian State Graduate Support Doctoral Scholarships for excellent doctoral projects starting in 2027. The doctoral scholarships are part of the University of Erfurt’s structured doctoral programme and are intended for candidates whose research projects are conducted through a certified Graduate Centre or the Max-Weber-Kolleg.

With a monthly basic scholarship of €1,400, additional family allowances, and possible research and travel funding, the University of Erfurt Doctoral Scholarships 2027 provide financial support for doctoral research in Germany.

The application deadline is 24 November 2026 at 11:59 p.m. CET.

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About the University of Erfurt Doctoral Scholarships

The Thuringian State Graduate Support Doctoral Scholarships are offered by the University of Erfurt through funds provided under the Thuringian State Graduate Support programme.

For the 2027 funding period, the University of Erfurt expects to award up to four doctoral scholarships.

The scholarships support excellent doctoral projects undertaken within the Erfurt Doctoral and Postdoctoral Programme (EPPP). Applicants must conduct their doctoral research at an eligible Graduate Centre within the University of Erfurt or at the Max-Weber-Kolleg.

The University of Erfurt doctoral scholarship is designed to support researchers who demonstrate strong academic achievements, research potential and a well-developed doctoral project.

University of Erfurt Doctoral Scholarship 2027 at a Glance

• Scholarship: Thuringian State Graduate Support Doctoral Scholarship
• University: University of Erfurt
• Location: Erfurt, Germany
• Number of scholarships: Up to 4
• Monthly basic funding: €1,400
• Family allowance: €300 for the first dependent child and €150 for each additional dependent child
• Standard duration: 3 years
• Possible extension: Up to 1 additional year
• Research/travel funding: Up to €600 per funding year, subject to available funds
• Funding start: 1 April 2027
• Latest possible funding start: 1 July 2027
• Application deadline: 24 November 2026, 11:59 p.m. CET
• Application method: Email
• Maximum PDF size: 5 MB

Scholarship Benefits and Funding

The University of Erfurt Doctoral Scholarship 2027 provides financial and academic support for selected doctoral researchers.

€1,400 Monthly Scholarship

Successful applicants receive a basic monthly amount of €1,400 during the standard funding period.

Family Allowance

Additional family support is available:

• €300 per month for the first dependent child
• €150 per month for each additional dependent child

Research and Travel Support

Subject to the availability of funds, scholarship holders may request up to €600 per funding year for research-related material and travel costs.

Three-Year Funding

The standard scholarship period is three years. Upon request, funding may be extended by one additional year.

Academic and Professional Development

Scholarship holders can benefit from research and networking opportunities, Academic Skills Training and platforms for communicating research to the wider public.

Who Can Apply for the University of Erfurt Doctoral Scholarship?

The Thuringian State Graduate Support Doctoral Scholarship is intended for doctoral candidates with excellent academic records and strong research projects.

Applicants must satisfy all required conditions by the start of the funding period.

1. Strong Academic Qualifications

Applicants must demonstrate above-average academic achievements and examination results that show particular aptitude for academic research.

2. Acceptance as a Doctoral Candidate

By the beginning of the funding period at the latest, applicants must be accepted as doctoral candidates by one of the University of Erfurt’s faculties or by the Max-Weber-Kolleg.

This acceptance must remain in place throughout the funding period.

3. University Matriculation

Successful applicants must be matriculated at the University of Erfurt by the start of the funding period at the latest.

4. Graduate Centre Membership

Applicants must have full membership in the relevant Graduate Centre or the Max-Weber-Kolleg by the beginning of the funding period.

5. Health Insurance

Applicants must provide current proof of health insurance by the start of the funding period.

6. No Inadmissible Double Funding

Applicants cannot simultaneously receive funding from other public funds or publicly financed institutions for the same period and purpose.

Funding for stays abroad connected to the doctoral project may remain possible according to the applicable regulations.

7. Employment Restrictions

Paid research and teaching work at a higher education institution or non-university research institution is permitted for a maximum of 12 hours per week.

Other employment is permitted for no more than 5 hours per week.

Teaching participation must not exceed an average of two teaching hours per academic year.

Selection Criteria for the Doctoral Scholarship

The selection process considers both the applicant’s academic research aptitude and the quality and significance of the doctoral project.

Important selection criteria include:

• Academic achievements and examination results
• Previous academic work
• Research potential
• Methodological quality
• Quality and significance of the doctoral project
• Plausibility of the research plan
• Feasibility of the work and time schedule

The University of Erfurt also states that particular consideration may be given, where applicable, to disabilities or chronic illnesses, voluntary work and social circumstances.

Providing such personal information is voluntary, and applicants will not be disadvantaged for choosing not to provide it.

Application Documents for the University of Erfurt Scholarship

Applicants must prepare a complete application and submit the documents in the required order.

1. Cover Letter

The cover letter must not exceed two pages and should include:

• The name of the Graduate Centre or Max-Weber-Kolleg
• Detailed reasons for applying for the scholarship
• Reasons for choosing the specific Graduate Centre or Max-Weber-Kolleg
• Any relevant thematic overlaps and potential synergies
• Information about whether work on the doctoral project has already started
• The progress of any preparatory work
• Relevant voluntary information concerning personal circumstances, if the applicant wishes to provide it

Applicants cannot apply to several Graduate Centres in parallel.

2. CV

Applicants must submit:

• A tabular CV
• The completed form supplementing the CV

3. Doctoral Project Exposé

The doctoral project exposé must contain a project outline covering:

• Research question
• Current state of research
• Planned methodology
• Bibliography

The project outline should generally be 6–8 pages, excluding the cover page and bibliography.

Applicants must also provide a work and time schedule covering the standard three-year funding period.

4. Graduate Centre or Max-Weber-Kolleg Confirmation

Applicants must provide either:

• The form confirming that contact has been established with a Graduate Centre or the Max-Weber-Kolleg, or
• If already a full member, the relevant admission form.

5. Doctoral Candidate Acceptance

If already available, applicants should provide confirmation from the relevant faculty or Max-Weber-Kolleg that they have been accepted as a doctoral candidate.

6. Academic Publications and Presentations

Applicants may include a list of academic publications and presentations where applicable.

7. Degree Certificates

Applicants must submit their relevant degree certificates, such as:

• Diploma
• Magister
• Bachelor’s certificate
• Master’s certificate

If documents are not in German or English, a certified translation into German or English must also be provided.

8. Final Thesis

Applicants must provide a complete copy of their final Diploma, Magister or Master’s thesis.

If the thesis is not in German or English, a summary of no more than two pages in German or English must also be submitted.

9. Consent to Personal Data Processing

Applicants must submit the signed consent concerning the processing of personal data.

Letter of Recommendation

In addition to the main application documents, applicants must arrange for a current, signed letter of recommendation for the doctoral project.

The recommendation must be completed using the prescribed form by a professor or other university teacher at the University of Erfurt or another higher education institution.

Importantly, the recommendation must not be included in the main application PDF.

The reviewer must send the recommendation separately and on time by email

How to Apply for the University of Erfurt Doctoral Scholarship

Applicants should combine all application documents, except for the separately submitted recommendation, into one PDF file.

The PDF must:

• Include a table of contents
• Follow the required document order
• Be complete
• Be no larger than 5 MB

Applications must be submitted by email only.

Email: graduiertenfoerderung@uni-erfurt.de

Email subject:
Application for the State Graduate Scholarship 2026 – surname, first name

Applicants should carefully check their application before submission because incomplete applications, applications that fail to meet the formal requirements, or applications submitted after the deadline cannot be considered.

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Application Deadline and Funding Start Date

The deadline for the University of Erfurt Thuringian State Graduate Support Doctoral Scholarship 2027 is:

24 November 2026 at 11:59 p.m. CET

The funding period is scheduled to begin on:

1 April 2027

The latest possible funding start is 1 July 2027.

The University of Erfurt expects the evaluation and decision process to take approximately 10 weeks, with applicants expected to receive notification of the outcome by the end of February 2027.

The final number of scholarships depends on the provision and allocation of the necessary state funds.

Tips for Preparing a Strong Scholarship Application

Applicants interested in the University of Erfurt Doctoral Scholarship should pay particular attention to the quality and clarity of their doctoral research proposal.

Your research question should be clearly defined, while the methodology should demonstrate how the proposed research can realistically be completed.

The three-year work and time schedule should also be realistic and consistent with the research objectives.

Applicants should make sure that their academic qualifications, previous research experience and potential are clearly presented in the CV and supporting documents.

It is also important to establish the required contact or membership with the relevant Graduate Centre or Max-Weber-Kolleg well before the application deadline.

Why This Doctoral Scholarship May Interest Researchers

The Thuringian State Graduate Support Doctoral Scholarship combines financial assistance with structured doctoral development.

In addition to the monthly €1,400 basic amount, eligible recipients may receive family support and research-related funding.

The University of Erfurt also provides opportunities for academic skills development, networking, research exchange and science communication.

For doctoral researchers seeking structured academic support in Germany, the scholarship provides a pathway to undertake a doctoral project within the University of Erfurt’s graduate research environment.

Important Information Before Applying

Applicants should remember that:

• Only up to four scholarships are expected to be awarded.
• The scholarship is intended for eligible doctoral projects at the University of Erfurt or Max-Weber-Kolleg.
• Applicants cannot apply to multiple Graduate Centres in parallel.
• Doctoral acceptance and University of Erfurt matriculation must be secured by the required deadline.
• The main application must be submitted as one PDF of no more than 5 MB.
• The recommendation letter must be submitted separately by the referee.
• Late or incomplete applications cannot be considered.
• There is no legal entitlement to receive a scholarship.

University of Erfurt Doctoral Scholarship 2027 – Final Thoughts

The University of Erfurt Thuringian State Graduate Support Doctoral Scholarship 2027 offers up to four doctoral scholarships with a €1,400 monthly basic amount, additional family allowances and possible research and travel support.

The scholarship is aimed at applicants with strong academic records and high-quality doctoral research projects. Successful scholarship holders will also participate in the structured doctoral environment of a Graduate Centre or the Max-Weber-Kolleg.

If you are planning to pursue a doctoral project at the University of Erfurt, carefully review the eligibility requirements, prepare the required documents and establish the necessary Graduate Centre or Max-Weber-Kolleg arrangements before the 24 November 2026 deadline.