Application and Funding

Doctoral Researchers working in third-party-funded projects at the GIGA while simultaneously pursuing their doctoral degree become members of the GIGA Doctoral Programme during the year depending on the starting date of their position and enrollment at a university. If you are interested in joining the GIGA Doctoral Programme as a Doctoral Researcher working in a third-party-funded project, please regularly check the vacancies for open positions.

Applications from externally funded Doctoral Researchers are generally possible throughout the year. We expect a university degree with a very strong grade point average and a high-quality project proposal with a clear fit with the GIGA’s research agenda. For more detailed information on mandatory qualifications and the application process, please see the document on application information in the downloads.

Our externally funded Doctoral Researchers are usually funded by scholarships. Applicants should inform themselves about suitable funding opportunities before applying to the GIGA. The final admission to the programme is dependent upon the applicant’s ability to provide proof of funding.

For further questions regarding the application procedure, please see our FAQs. Should you have additional questions that are not answered in the FAQs, please address them to [email protected].

Doctoral researchers with high-quality projects and close relation to the GIGA’s research agenda may apply for a position as a visiting doctoral researcher at the GIGA Doctoral Programme for a period between two and twelve months. These positions come with the following benefits:

• full integration into the research structure of the GIGA and access to our research infrastructure

• participation in regular research meetings

• office space at the institute

• (free) participation in the courses and other events offered at the GIGA.

To apply, please send the following application documents to Gabriele Tetzlaff:

• motivation letter stating the main content of your project, illustrating how it would fit into the GIGA's research structure (please name one regional institute and one research programme where your research would fit) and how you would benefit from a stay at the GIGA (max. 2 pages)

• CV

• research proposal of max. 2,000 words

• a reference letter of your supervisor supporting the stay at the GIGA

• proof of enrolment as a doctoral researcher.

Please also indicate the start and end month of the period you would like to stay. Please note that there is high demand for these positions as well as a very strict limit on the number of visiting doctoral researchers the GIGA can host at once. Please apply well in advance! For further questions, please have a look at our FAQs.

Our self-funded doctoral reseachers receive their funding from different sources, such as foundations and institutions that offer scholarships for doctoral reseachers. Please see below a list of links to respective funding possibilities (all information is subject to change). We encourage candidates to inform themselves about suitable third party-funding opportunities and become familiar with respective requirements before applying to the GIGA. The final admission to the programme is dependent upon the applicant’s ability to provide proof of funding.

• Avicenna-Studienwerk

• Claussen-Simon-Stiftung

• Cusanuswerk

• DAAD – German Academic Exchange Service

• Dr. Jost Henkel Stiftung

• ELES - Ernst Ludwig Ehrlich Studienwerk

• Evangelisches Studienwerk e.V. Villigst

• Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung

• FAZIT-Stiftung

• Friedrich Naumann Stiftung für die Freiheit

• Hanns Seidel Stiftung

• Hans-Böckler-Stiftung

• Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung

• KAAD - Katholischer Akademischer Ausländer-Dienst

• Kölner Gymnasial- und Stiftungsfonds

• Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung

• Rosa-Luxemburg-Stiftung

• Stiftung der Deutschen Wirtschaft

• Studienstiftung des deutschen Volkes

• ZEIT-Stiftung