Heidelberg University DAAD-GSSP Scholarship

Heidelberg University through the Heidelberg Graduate School for the Humanities and Social Sciences (HGGS) invites applications for two DAAD-GSSP scholarships and HGGS membership. The stated aim is to make productive use of Heidelberg’s interdisciplinary research structure at the level of graduate training in the HGGS and to initiate interdisciplinary dissertation projects in humanities, law, and social sciences.

The scholarships are for highly motivated, excellent doctoral candidates from the Faculty of Modern Languages, the Faculty of Philosophy, the Faculty of Theology, the Faculty of Law, the Faculty of Behavioural and Cultural Studies, and the Faculty of Economics and Social Sciences. The page notes that dissertation projects with different thematic focuses are located at the HGGS, and it particularly welcomes applications relevant to Field of Focus 3 “Cultural Dynamics in Globalised Worlds” or Field of Focus 4 “Self-Regulation and Regulation: Individuals and Societies”.

The DAAD-GSSP scholarships are awarded after a pre-selection. After pre-selection, applicants can be invited to an interview (online) to present their project to the selection committee. Applicants are asked to contact potential supervisors in Heidelberg to discuss the doctoral project and receive confirmation of supervision.

Support is €1,400 per month from April for a period of up to four years. Applicants who are resident abroad—or in Germany for no longer than twelve months—at the time of application at the HGGS are eligible. The page states that foreign applicants can acquire or improve German language skills at the beginning of the doctoral programme in Heidelberg.

• Applicant type: international doctoral candidates.Application tied to HGGS at Heidelberg University.Faculty/discipline: Faculty of Modern Languages; Faculty of Philosophy; Faculty of Theology; Faculty of Law; Faculty of Behavioural and Cultural Studies; or Faculty of Economics and Social Sciences.Interest: particular interest in interdisciplinary research.Residency at time of application: resident abroad; or in Germany for no longer than twelve months.Degree: a university degree with an MA or similar qualification in a discipline of the humanities, law, or social sciences.Academic standing: above-average grade.Study duration evidence: degree must provide evidence of at least four years of study at a university.English: very good command of English is required.German language: foreign applicants can acquire or improve German language skills at the beginning of the doctoral programme in Heidelberg.Prior guidance step: applicants are asked to contact potential supervisors in Heidelberg to discuss their doctoral project and receive a confirmation of supervision.

• Stipend: €1,400 per month.Duration: from April 2026 for a period of up to four years.

1. Contact potential supervisors in Heidelberg to discuss the doctoral project and receive a confirmation of supervision.Prepare application materials as one PDF, in the required order, and prepare the Excel sheet as specified.Submit the application by sending it to Ms. Deepa John and Dr. Astrid Wind at [email protected] a security measure, send the application in Cc to [email protected] and [email protected] submission by the deadline for complete application documents and letters of recommendation.After pre-selection, attend an interview (online) if invited to present the project to the selection committee.

• Completed cover page (see Download area below).Letter of intention (brief description of qualifications, academic objectives and research project), max 2 pages.CV with information about academic career, achieved grades, research projects and research experience, and publications (if any).Project description, max 5 pages, in German or English (including research plans and objectives, critical approach, data, methods, theoretical focus).Timescale for the research project.Transcripts (Bachelor and Master).Two letters of recommendation on the DAAD form (see Download area below).Written supervision agreement by a Professor or PD at Heidelberg University.Excel sheet with details about academic career (see Download area below).Single PDF: must be one PDF file (max 25 pages) with format specification: (your) NAME_First_name_HGGS.pdf.Excel file: NAME_First_name_HGGS.xls with format specification; do not convert to PDF; do not make changes to the specifications; write in one line only. Format specification for the Excel file: (your) NAME_First_name_HGGS.xls.Letters of recommendation can be attached to the candidate’s PDF file or sent directly to the specified email addresses.