News for Early Stage Researchers

Current newsletter of the Graduate Services

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You will receive this whenever there is news, for example when the new Academic Career and Qualification Programme is published or when scholarships are advertised. Information is sent out no more than once a month.

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Competence-oriented personnel development for academics includes workshops on university didactics and interdisciplinary key competences. Further information can be found here.

As part of the doctoral procedure, Sanae Ansar Ech-chobti will present her dissertation “Digital Feminism in Morocco: Exploring Self-mediation and Lived Experiences” for discussion on Friday, 19 December 2025, at 10.15 a.m. in C18, room C18.03.04. All interested parties are cordially invited. 

Further information can be found on the poster.

As part of the oral exam of the doctoral procedure, Anton Röhr will present his theses "Resonanz und Negativität Auf dem Weg zu einer Kritischen Theorie der Weltbeziehungen“ in a public colloquium on Monday, 19 January 2026 at 10 a.m. in building C19, room C19.00.04. All interested parties are cordially invited. 

Further information can be found on the poster.

Research career: Information events organised by the DFG

The German Research Foundation (DFG) offers a wide range of funding opportunities for postdoctoral researchers in the early career phase. The DFG regularly provides information about these opportunities in the online dialogue series "Prospects". Throughout the year, specific funding instruments and programmes for the period after the doctorate are presented in various online seminars. Also interesting for doctoral researchers!

The next events in the Prospects series are

• 11.12.2025, 16:00 - 17:30 - DFG Funding Opportunities for Postdocs (in English)

Further information on the event and the slides of past lectures in the Prospects series can be found at: https://www.dfg.de/foerderung/foerdermoeglichkeiten/wissenschaftliche_karriere/veranstaltungen/index.html

German PostDoc Network: Career Planning in German Academia

Building a successful academic career is rarely straightforward. It is influenced by external structures, funding opportunities, disciplinary trends, and sometimes sheer timing. Career development, however, should not be left to chance—particularly within the German academic system, which is often perceived as complex and opaque.In this interactive 60-minute session, we will explore seven key steps for planning an academic career, with a particular focus on issues relevant to international researchers in Germany. Participants will gain practical insights and inspiration to strengthen their sense of agency, recognize opportunities, and navigate the uncertainties of the German academic system with greater clarity and confidence.

Date: 17 December 2025, 1-2 pm
Location: Zoom / Registration: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_cc5NBMwDTO2O7Cymg73p9A#/registration

Call for applications for the German Study Award 2026

The competition is aimed at early-stage researchers from all disciplines who have submitted an excellent dissertation of particular social importance in 2025. With three top prizes of 25,000 euros each, it is one of the most highly endowed prizes for young academics in Germany. Former students also have access to a wide range of funding opportunities - from mentoring for scientific careers and a conference fund to participation in the Max Planck Programme for Start-ups.

The closing date for the current call for applications is 1 March 2026.

All information on participation can be found here.

DAAD scholarship programmes "Congress trips" and "Lecture trips"

Since 1 March 2023, the DAAD has once again been offering funding for participation in congresses and lectures.

In the congress travel programme, funding is provided for active congress participation, in the lecture travel programme for lecture activities outside congresses and conferences. You can find the calls for applications at www.daad.de/kongressreisen and www.daad.de/vortragsreisen.

If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact the DAAD Info Centre. You can reach our counsellors on 0228-882 180 at the following times: Monday to Thursday 9am - 12pm and 2pm - 4pm (CEST), Friday 9am - 2pm (CEST), or via the DAAD contact form.

"Writing Friday" for doctoral students

schreibzentrum.berlin offers doctoral candidates free online writing days. On the first Friday of every month, from 9.30 am to 12.00 pm, doctoral candidates meet with like-minded people and are supported in their writing by experienced writing coaches with the help of moderation techniques and writing exercises.

The programme is aimed at doctoral candidates from all disciplines and at all stages of writing. It is possible to join the programme at any time.

Registration and further information on the programme can be found here.

DocColloq for doctoral candidates

DocColloq, which was founded at Trier University in 2018 by research assistants Camilla Haake and Natalie Tröller, is an interdisciplinary network for doctoral candidates from all disciplines and all institutional affiliations.

In regular, digital meetings via Zoom, doctoral candidates from all disciplines from all over Germany are brought together to promote and strengthen the exchange between doctoral candidates and their networking with each other. This exchange format has proven to be very helpful, especially in times of strong isolation due to the coronavirus measures and the digitalisation of teaching and research. Experience has shown that doctoral students face the same problems again and again, regardless of the subject they are doing their doctorate in, according to the two founders. During the meetings, up to three doctoral students present their current research in short 15-minute presentations. This is followed by a joint discussion.

All doctoral students are invited, regardless of which university or college you are doing your doctorate at, regardless of your specialisation or stage of doctorate, and regardless of whether you would like to present your research yourself or just listen!

Interested parties are asked to register by sending an e-mail to doccolloq@uni-trier.de. A link for the Zoom event will be sent to you.

FAZIT Foundation

The FAZIT Foundation is a non-profit publishing company that specifically promotes science and research by awarding doctoral scholarships and grants for printing and travel costs.

Applications for a two-year doctoral scholarship as well as grants for printing costs and travel expenses are possible at any time.

The foundation provides information on further requirements and submissions of application on its website: https: //www.fazit-stiftung.de/bewerbung.html