Germany continues to strengthen its global leadership in supercomputing, artificial intelligence, and advanced numerical simulations, and one of the most prestigious opportunities in this field has just been renewed for the next academic cycle. The NHR Graduate School, part of Germany’s National High-Performance Computing Alliance, has officially confirmed that applications will open for its 2026 selection round offering 9 fully funded PhD scholarships for international and domestic researchers.

The program is designed for ambitious early-career scientists who want to conduct cutting-edge doctoral research in High-Performance Computing (HPC), Artificial Intelligence, and advanced computational modeling across multiple scientific disciplines. Selected candidates will work within a network of Germany’s leading supercomputing centers and research universities, gaining access to world-class computing infrastructure and internationally recognized mentors.

Each doctoral researcher will join a collaborative research ecosystem within the NHR Alliance, enabling them to contribute to groundbreaking scientific developments ranging from climate simulations and nanotechnology modeling to AI-driven computational science.

The fully funded doctoral positions will run for three years, with the next cohort expected to begin their research projects on 1 April 2027.

Insider Details of the NHR Graduate School PhD Program

The NHR Graduate School serves as Germany’s coordinated training platform for doctoral researchers working in computational science and supercomputing. The initiative connects multiple HPC centers across the country, allowing scholars to collaborate on interdisciplinary projects that require large-scale computational resources and advanced algorithmic techniques.

Selected PhD researchers are hosted by partner universities or research institutions that belong to the NHR Alliance, while benefiting from a structured doctoral training environment that combines academic supervision, specialized workshops, and international research collaboration.

Program highlights include:

• Program type: Fully funded PhD positions
• Total scholarships available: 9
• Program duration: 3 years
• Next cohort start date: 1 April 2027
• Funding period: April 2027 – March 2030
• Research focus: High-Performance Computing, AI/ML, Numerical Simulation
• Location: Germany (NHR Alliance universities and HPC centers)
• Working languages: English and/or German

This structure allows doctoral candidates to conduct research that contributes directly to next-generation computing technologies and computational science innovation.

Financial Package Supporting Doctoral Researchers

The NHR Graduate School provides comprehensive financial and academic support so scholars can focus entirely on research and professional development.

Successful applicants receive the following funding benefits:

• Monthly scholarship stipend: €2,200
• Funding duration: Up to 36 months
• Academic supervision: Mentorship from leading HPC researchers
• Secondment opportunities: Research stays at other NHR partner institutions
• Advanced training: Participation in specialized HPC workshops and courses
• Networking opportunities: Access to NHR Summer School and annual conferences
• Career development support: Professional guidance and alumni network access

This funding structure ensures that doctoral researchers can develop high-impact computational research skills while collaborating with leading scientists in Europe.

Academic Fields Eligible for the Program

The NHR Graduate School promotes interdisciplinary research and welcomes applicants from multiple scientific backgrounds where high-performance computing plays a critical role.

Eligible academic disciplines include:

1. Chemical Engineering
2. Materials Science
3. Chemistry
4. Geosciences
5. Meteorology
6. Mineralogy
7. Oceanography
8. Computer Science
9. Mathematics
10. Nanosciences
11. Pharmacy
12. Pharmacology
13. Physics
14. Environmental Science
15. Human Medicine
16. Economics
17. Sociology
18. Social Sciences

Researchers working in computational modeling, large-scale simulations, and data-intensive scientific analysis are particularly encouraged to apply.

Who Can Apply for the NHR PhD Scholarships?

Applicants must demonstrate strong academic preparation and a clear interest in computational research environments. To qualify for the program, candidates must meet the following requirements:

• Hold a Master’s degree or equivalent qualification
• Degree must be in Computer Science, Mathematics, Engineering, or a relevant scientific discipline
• Demonstrate interest in high-performance computing and interdisciplinary research
• Possess strong academic records and research potential
• Meet doctoral admission requirements of the host institution

Since the program is research-intensive, applicants with experience in programming, numerical simulation, scientific computing, or machine learning may have a competitive advantage.

Apply: https://www.nhr-verein.de/application

What Has Changed for the 2026 Application Cycle?

The NHR Graduate School has introduced several important timeline updates for the upcoming doctoral cohort.

Key updates include:

• The application deadline has moved to September 2026, extending the preparation window for applicants.
• The next funded PhD cohort will now begin on 1 April 2027.
• The scholarship funding period will run until 31 March 2030, ensuring a full three-year research period.
• Continued expansion of interdisciplinary research themes connecting HPC with artificial intelligence and scientific simulations.

These updates align the program with Germany’s broader strategy to expand research capacity in advanced computing and digital scientific infrastructure.

Application Deadline

The last date to apply for the NHR Graduate School Fully Funded PhD Scholarships in Germany is September 15, 2026. Selected candidates will begin their doctoral research under the NHR Alliance on April 1, 2027, with funding continuing until March 31, 2030.