The Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG, GermanResearch Foundation) is the central funding organisation
for research in Germany. Through a competitive award
process, it supports people and projects in all branches ofscience and the humanities. It is especially committed topromoting early-career researchers, gender equality, andinternationalisation.

DFG Links
DFG funding programmes for early career researchers:
www.dfg.de/research_careers
Information on DFG-funded projects (GEPRIS):
www.dfg.de/en/funded_projects
FAQs for those interested in doctoral training:www.dfg.de/gk/faq/en

Photos: D. Ausserhofer/DFG, E. Lichentscheidt/DFG, U. Grabowsky/photothek.net; August 2019

Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft
German Research Foundation
Kennedyallee 40 · 53175 Bonn
Phone: + 49 228 885-1
Fax:+ 49 228 885-27 77
info-nachwuchs@dfg.de
www.dfg.de

The DFG supports doctoral researchers in ResearchTraining Groups and research projects by funding
doctoral positions in these programmes. While you
cannot submit a proposal for individual funding tothe DFG before completing your PhD, you can apply
to open positions at the Research Training Groups
and projects. Consequently, you need to submit yourapplication for a PhD position to the head of therespective Research Training Group or project that you
are interested in.

EnglishContact

Design: Michaela Dreike/DFG

About Us

Doing Your Doctorate
in Germany – A Great Idea
Funding Opportunities
for Doctoral Researchers

Doing your doctorate –a great idea …
Are you thinking about tackling a doctorate?
Exploring a research topic in your area of interestand following it through all the way to a PhD?

… in a DFG-funded research project or group
The attraction of doing your doctorate in the context ofa research project funded by the DFG lies within the impressive diversity of research ideas and initiatives acrossall academic disciplines. As a research assistant, you havethe opportunity to contribute your knowledge and skills
to the success of a clearly outlined research endeavour
and work on your thesis within the framework of thisproject. At the same time, you profit from the project
infrastructure.

There are good reasons to do so: for example,
a doctorate can boost your career. The Deutsche
Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG, German ResearchFoundation) can support you in that quest. For
your PhD project, you can choose from multiple
thriving research environments that receive fundingby the DFG.

… in a Research Training GroupIf you like working in a team and value a well-designed
qualification framework, a Research Training Group is theright place for you. It combines an ambitious research
programme with target-oriented supervision and academic
freedom to form an ideal environment for your successful
doctorate.
Developed and guided by a group of researchers, eachResearch Training Group has a clear research profile. You
can benefit from numerous networking opportunities withpeers, postdocs, as well as international guests. A transparent supervision system and a training programme thatprepares you for your future career round off the profile of
the Research Training Group.
… in an International Research Training GroupIn this special type of a Research Training Group, the exchange with partner institutions outside of Germany is anintegral part. During your doctoral training, you will spend
about six months at a university abroad and profit fromthe exchange with international peers and researchers.

You can also work within a project that is part of a larger
network of projects, such as Research Units, Collaborative Research Centres, or Clusters of Excellence. Groupsof researchers collaborate and focus on the developmentof a particular research field. Such project groups help
to shape the long-term research profile of universities inGermany. Some of these larger-scale project groups haveintegrated doctoral programmes to guide you throughyour PhD.
Our GEPRIS database provides an overview of all projects
funded by DFG including contact details for your application.