Funding
On this page, you can find information regarding possible funding options for your studies in the HDS PhD Program. International applicants can apply to be considered for one of two DAAD GSSP Scholarships, and information on this option can be found below.
The HDS PhD Program does not charge tuition fees.
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DAAD Scholarship Announcement
We are pleased to announce that for the admission cycles 2023 and 2024, highly motivated, international prospective HDS PhD students may apply for two three-year scholarships offered by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) as part of the Graduate School Scholarship Program (GSSP).
The selection procedure for these scholarships is integrated into the HDS application procedure. Click here for more information about the eligibility criteria and scholarship application process.
Overview
Funding your HDS PhD Studies
The HDS PhD Program does not charge tuition fees. However, prospective students will need to pay student enrollment (matriculation) fees for each semester they are enrolled as a student at the Charité, and should also have a plan to finance their living costs for the duration of the program.
Most of the HDS PhD students hold doctoral researcher positions. These positions are often 65%-100% Research Associate (“Wissenschaftliche*r Mitarbeiter*in”) positions. The job portals for the institutions which may have offerings compatible with the HDS PhD Program (please note that this list is not exhaustive):
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin
- The Berlin Institute of Health (BIH) PhD Program projects (Accepting applications from Oct. 11, 2023 - Nov. 22, 2023)
- The Berlin Institute of Health (BIH)
- The Robert Koch Institute,
- The Max Delbrück Center
- The Max Planck Institute for Infection Biology.
Some students are also able to find funding through small German foundations.
As this is a full-time program, the possibilities of an additional secondary occupation are limited. At present, we are not able to offer scholarships through the program directly. Applicants will be asked to present a plan for financing their expenses for the duration of their studies (e.g. PhD position at a Berlin-based institute, stipend from a foundation, etc.).
Are there any funding opportunities available through the HDS PhD program?
International applicants may apply to be considered for one of two three-year scholarships provided by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) through the HDS PhD Program as part of the Graduate School Scholarship Program (GSSP). Please click here for more information about the DAAD GSSP scholarship. Since this scholarship opportunity is expected to be competitive, international applicants are encouraged to explore additional funding opportunities from national and international foundations. The DAAD scholarship database may be useful:
https://www2.daad.de/deutschland/stipendium/datenbank/en/21148-scholarship-database/?detail=50076777
Is a full-time employment position recommended while being a full-time PhD student?
Though some students have scholarships, most of our current HDS PhD students are employed in part-time (e.g. 65%) research positions. Ideally, most/all work on your PhD projects should count as work time for your employment. Your employer should be willing to support your participation in required HDS courses and help facilitate you sticking to your three-year project timeline. Should your employment be full-time, this support and flexibility is especially important.
I’ve seen mention of funding, data access and supervisors on your website, but I’m still confused. How are these related? What do I need access to prior to applying?
It is important to separate the three issues: funding, data access, and supervision. Successful applicants need to demonstrate all three and many times all three go together. There are exceptions: e.g., If someone brings their own funding, it is possible to find data and supervisors who might fit the project. This requires a really motivated individual to make all those connections, a good research question / project idea and of course, their own funding. Most of the time, the students find a job (usually 65% paid) as a PhD student at the institute of their main supervisor.