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Funding organisations for PhD students in Germany
There are various organisations in Germany that support doctoral candidates and their doctoral research.
Support for international doctoral candidates is provided by Germany‘s organisations for the promotion of young talent (Begabtenförderungswerke) in particular. These have joined forces in an association named StipendiumPlus. The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) also funds doctoral projects with its Doctoral Programmes and Research Grants.
Non-university research institutions also play an important role in supporting doctoral students by offering jobs to these young researchers.
In addition to these funding organisations, there are a large number of non-profit foundations that aim to promote research and young academics.
You will find a selection of funding programmes for international doctoral students run by various funding organisations on our Funding programme page – or visit the Funding databases page for PhDs.
Alexander von Humboldt Foundation
The Alexander von Humboldt Foundation promotes research collaborations between excellent international and German researchers. The Humboldt Foundation awards more than 2,000 research fellowships and research grants every year.
Companies
More than two thirds of the annual funds invested in research come from industry. Companies either conduct research themselves or collaborate with research partners. PhDs and early career researchers are supported not only with job offers, but also with scholarships and prizes from corporate foundations.
DAAD – German Academic Exchange Service
The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) is the world’s largest funding organisation for the international exchange of students and researchers.
DFG – German Research Foundation
The Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (German Research Foundation, DFG) is the central self-governing funding organisation for research at higher education and public research institutions in Germany. It supports research projects and funds cooperation between researchers in Germany – also at an international level.
European Union
The European Union (EU) funds research in a variety of ways through its research and innovation framework programme. These measures include not only support for basic and applied research, but also funding programmes for collaboration and exchange in higher education.
Foundations
Public and private foundations enable research by providing funding. The range of different foundations is very wide. Many of them specifically aim to promote young talent.
Fraunhofer
Based in Germany, the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft is the world’s leading applied research organisation. It plays a crucial role in the innovation process by prioritising research in key future technologies and transferring its research findings to industry in order to strengthen Germany as a hub of industrial activity and to benefit society.
Helmholtz Association
The Helmholtz Association is the largest German research organisation. It offers several opportunities for young researchers.
Leibniz Association
The Leibniz Association brings together 96 independent research institutions covering various scientific disciplines. Leibniz Institutes offer opportunities for doctoral students, postdocs and established researchers alike.
Max-Planck-Gesellschaft
The Max Planck Society for the Advancement of Science is an independent non-profit research organisation. The 84 Max Planck Institutes and research facilities focus on basic research, often taking an interdisciplinary approach. They are also engaged in supporting young researchers.
StipendiumPlus
Thirteen organisations that work nationwide have come together to form StipendiumPlus under the umbrella of the Federal Ministry of Education and Research. They support outstanding undergraduate and doctoral students.
