Who can apply?

Admission to our doctoral studies programme requires proof of successfully completed university studies and a qualified PhD project corresponding to the research profile of the Research Training Group. Art projects cannot be sponsored.

How to apply?

You can find further information on the application process here. Incomplete application documents will not be considered. Due to the high number of requests, a review of application documents before the deadline is not possible!

What are the deadlines for applying?

The next deadline for the enrolement in the doctoral programme has not been set yet. If applications will become possible in 2014, the deadline for application is likely to be on 1May, 2014. Doctoral scholarships will be advertized on the website of the Research Training Group.  Please apply only for advertized doctoral scholarships. Unsolicited applications cannot be considered.

What is the duration of the scholarship?

In general, scholarships are awarded for a period of two years, with a possibility of extension for one further year in justified cases.

What is the amount of the scholarship?

The Research Training Group offers a monthly grant of currently EUR 1.365 plus EUR 103 for material costs. Parents receive an additional EUR 400 for their first child, and EUR 100, for each subsequent child.  

What is the study programme?

The doctoral program includes a fortnightly research colloquium,  workshops, lectures by visiting scholars as well as conferences and symposia organized by the Research Training Group. Participation in the study programme is mandatory.

Are German language skills required before submitting the application?

Yes. The classes are mostly held in German. Doctoral fellows of the International Research Training Group ‘Interart Studies’ must enrol for the doctoral studies programme ‘Interart Studies’ at Freie Universität which requires proof of German language skills at level DSH 2. For further information, please visit the websites of the TestDaF or the Goethe Institute. In exceptional cases, applicants who cannot prove sufficient language skills before the application deadline can be provisionally admitted to the doctoral programme 'InterArt Studies'. The language certificate must then be submitted within the first semester.

What language skills are required? 

Very good English skills are mandatory. The level B2 GER corresponds to seven years of English instruction at school. The following are recognized as equivalent: IELTS 5.0, TOEFL (Paper 500 or Computer 170 or Internet 80). Knowledge of another language is considered desirable.

Is it possible to apply for a scholarship already before the completion of university studies?

 In order to consider your application, we would ask you to hand in a preliminary opinion on your final thesis confirming the expected excellent university degree. It should be enclosed with your application. In exceptional cases, the opinion can be sent directly to the Research Training Group by the reviewer. Should you be admitted to our doctoral programme, you must submit a certified copy of your university degree two months before the start of the scholarship.

Are there residency requirements for the duration of the scholarship?

As a general rule, doctoral fellows are expected to relocate to Berlin for the duration of their scholarship to be able to regularly participate in the study programme of the Research Training Group and to present their research projects.

  Is it possible to participate in the study programme of the Research Training Group without receiving a scholarship?

It is possible for selected doctoral candidates to participate in the programme as associate members. This applies especially to those who receive funding from another source and are looking for a topical exchange with other doctoral fellows. Candidates applying for associate membership must provide a PhD project corresponding to the research profile of the Research Training Group.  Applications for associate membership can be submitted at any time. Currently there are no places available for associate membership.   

Is it possible to receive a scholarship from the Research Traing Group ‘Interart Studies’ if the PhD project has already been sponsored?

This is possible in exceptional cases. If the PhD project has already been funded by the DFG (Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft/German Research Foundation), which is the sponsor of the Research Training Group ‘Interart Studies’, no further funding can be granted. 

Which application documents need to be submitted?

•  Completed application form

•  Short letter of motivation

• Synopsis of the research project (approx. 3000 words incl. a selected bibliography and a schedule) and a short abstract of the research project (max. 250 words)

•  CV

•  Bound copy of M.A. thesis incl. a summary (max. 1 page). Final theses written in a language other than German or English do not have to be translated. Please submit a comprehensive summary in English or German instead.

•  Letter of recommendation by a professor

•  If available, list of publications and one significant publication

•  Copies of university diplomas, certificates, etc. (if applicable, certified copies of degree equivalents)

•  Certificate of sufficient language skills