Pro Exzellenzia Scholarships 2027 at University of Hamburg Process of Application
A doctoral scholarship does not always need to fund an entire PhD to make a major difference. Sometimes the most valuable support arrives at the point where a researcher needs protected time to finish the dissertation, publish, and move into the next academic stage.
That is the idea behind the Pro Exzellenzia programme at the University of Hamburg, which will offer two targeted scholarships from October 1, 2027 for women researchers in the university’s MIN Faculty.
The programme is aimed at strengthening the career progression of women who want to move into leadership positions in science, business, administration and other professional fields.
Lets Check Out Quickly the Scholarship’s Basic Info First
| Key Detail | Pro Exzellenzia 2027 |
|---|---|
| University | University of Hamburg |
| Country | Germany |
| Target group | Female doctoral candidates and postdocs |
| Eligible identity | Women |
| Faculty | MIN Faculty |
| PhD opportunity | 9-month completion scholarship |
| Postdoc opportunity | 6-month early postdoc scholarship |
| Funding starts | October 1, 2027 |
| Main fields | STEM-related disciplines within MIN |
| Career programme | Coaching, workshops, counselling and networking |
| Programme language | Coaching and workshops are in German |
Two Scholarships, Two Different Career Stages
Applicants should not treat these as interchangeable awards.
- The 9-month PhD completion scholarship is intended for female University of Hamburg doctoral candidates who are already sufficiently advanced in their doctorate and need focused support to complete it.
- The 6-month early postdoc scholarship targets female researchers at the beginning of the postdoctoral stage.
Only one place is being advertised for each route, making both opportunities highly selective.
More Than Financial Support
Pro Exzellenzia is designed as a career-development programme rather than simply a scholarship payment.
Participants can access:
- Individual coaching;
- Workshops and online workshops;
- career counselling;
- A network of scholarship holders; and
- Lectures and professional-development activities.
The objective is to give women interdisciplinary skills and stronger career planning support as they move toward leadership roles.
One practical detail matters for international applicants: the coaching sessions and workshops are conducted in German.
Applicants should therefore consider whether their German ability is strong enough to participate meaningfully in the programme, even if their doctoral or postdoctoral research itself is conducted in English.
Who Should Watch This 2027 Call?
The Pro Exzellenzia Scholarships at Universität Hamburg is particularly relevant for women already based at the University of Hamburg MIN Faculty who are approaching either of two transition points:
- the final stage of a PhD; or
- the first stage after completing a doctorate.
The wider Pro Exzellenzia programme supports women in areas including STEM, art, music and architecture, but the scholarships announced for October 2027 specifically target UHH doctoral candidates and postdocs from the MIN Faculty.
Applicants should therefore read the individual 2027 calls carefully once preparing their application, because the detailed selection criteria are contained in the scholarship notices themselves and are issued in German.
The new Pro Exzellenzia awards begin on October 1, 2027.
If you are unsure whether your University of Hamburg faculty, doctoral stage, postdoc status or German-language ability fits the 2027 opportunity, leave your question in the comments below.