The Graduate School of the Cluster of Excellence Understanding Written Artefacts (CSMC) at Universität Hamburg has officially opened applications for fully funded PhD scholarships under the DAAD’s Graduate School Scholarship Programme (GSSP). These scholarships support three years of doctoral study, beginning 1 January 2026.
Scholarship Benefits
Selected candidates will receive:
- A monthly stipend of €1,300
- Health insurance coverage
- Additional allowances as specified in the DAAD GSSP guidelines
This funding ensures that doctoral researchers can fully focus on advancing their academic projects without financial burden.
Who Can Apply?
The programme is open to highly qualified international candidates (non-German citizens), especially from the Global South. Applicants must:
- Hold a Master’s degree or equivalent in disciplines related to manuscript cultures or written artefacts (fields may include humanities, natural sciences, computer sciences, chemistry, physics, and more).
- Demonstrate English language proficiency at level B1 or above.
- Not hold a PhD or have completed significant doctoral studies elsewhere.
- Not have obtained their Master’s degree more than six years before nomination.
- Not have resided in Germany for longer than 15 months before November 2025.
Knowledge of German is not required; English is the working language at CSMC.
Selection Process
The admission procedure is carried out in two stages:
- Initial Review: A committee of Principal Investigators (PIs) assesses applications based on the quality, innovation, and relevance of the research proposal.
- Final Nomination: Selected candidates are nominated to DAAD, which makes the final funding decision.
Academic Environment
Doctoral researchers will join a vibrant, interdisciplinary research community covering over 40 academic disciplines. The program allows degrees in the Faculty of Humanities (Dr. phil.) or the MIN Faculty (Dr. rer. nat.) with opportunities for co-tutelle (bi-national supervision).
Participants will benefit from:
- Access to the artefact profiling lab and specialized library
- Regular colloquia, workshops, and summer schools
- Close guidance from experienced professors
- A wide range of soft skills training and full access to all facilities at Universität Hamburg.
Required Application Documents
Applicants must submit a single PDF file by email containing:
- A detailed research proposal (max. 5 pages: abstract, proposal, and 3-year work schedule in 3-month intervals)
- Curriculum Vitae with personal details, academic background, publications, and language skills
- Motivation letter (1 page)
- Copies of Bachelor’s and Master’s certificates
- One letter of recommendation from a professor
- Proof of English proficiency (B1 or higher)
Translations in English or German are required for certificates issued in other languages.
Apply: https://www.csmc.uni-hamburg.de/study-at-csmc/dr-phil/scholarships.html.
The last date to apply for the Hamburg University PhD Scholarships under the DAAD GSSP programme is 30 September 2025.