Structured doctorate programme within the EPPP-certified Graduate Centres / the Max-Weber-Kolleg

As part of a research-oriented priority area, the certified Graduate Centres of the ‘Erfurt Doctorate and Postdoctoral Programme’ (EPPP) support researchers at various stages of their academic careers.

The cornerstone of the doctorate in one of the university’s internal Graduate Centres or the Max-Weber-Kolleg is the collegial, team-based supervision of doctoral candidates. In addition to consultation with a principal supervisor, the doctoral candidate is supported by a supervisory team.

This is complemented by participation in a compulsory curriculum comprising regular events such as colloquia, seminars and workshops. In this way, academic development is promoted in a structured and targeted manner. These regular events also facilitate ongoing contact with other doctoral candidates. The academic training is supported and complemented by interdisciplinary development opportunities provided by the research training group itself, as part of the programme. ‘Competence-oriented personnel development for academics at the University of Erfurt’ or by external institutions.

The Erfurt Doctorate and Postdoctoral Programme (EPPP) was launched in 2008 and has since provided the basis and common framework for the structured and goal-oriented support, supervision and the disciplinary and interdisciplinary training of researchers in the qualification phase within the University of Erfurt’s certified Graduate Centres. The Max-Weber-Kolleg also organises its Graduate service in accordance with the EPPP’s standards. The legal principles of the EPP programme have been set out by the University of Erfurt in a framework regulation.
Within the framework of the EPP programme,

• binding minimum standards are set for the subject-specific and interdisciplinary training of early-career researchers;
• structures and procedures for the training process are subject to quality assurance, and
• financial support opportunities for researchers are established.

Each research training group’s disciplinary training programme is aligned with its research-oriented central theme. It comprises various regularly held components, such as colloquia, seminars, lectures, workshops, etc. These elements may be divided into optional or compulsory modules; however, participation in a specified number and type of events is compulsory for research fellows. The Graduate Centres themselves draw up the precise regulations governing this.

Within the Graduate Centres, members’ own training projects are regularly discussed and evaluated with other members of the peer group. In addition, a team of supervisors provides guidance and academic support for these training projects. 
All Graduate Centres are EPPP-certified for a fixed term and must have their programme and structures recertified regularly by the Senate Committee for Research and Graduate Service. This ensures compliance with the EPPP’s high quality standards.

Within the framework of the EPPP, particular emphasis is placed on specifically promoting the early academic independence of researchers. To this end, university-based research training groups receive an annual budget to finance joint projects (such as organising guest lectures or workshops), and members of the Graduate Centres are involved in the organisation and implementation of these projects wherever possible. EPPP members receive financial support from the University of Erfurt for their research projects. For a period of up to four years (doctoral candidates) or five years (postdoctoral researchers), they may apply to the Research and Graduate Service Office for reimbursement of research-related travelling and material expenses of up to 600 euros per year.

Doctoral candidates who have been accepted as full members of one of the EPPP-certified Graduate Centres or into the EPPP-certified Graduate service of the Max-Weber-Kolleg are entitled, amongst other things, to are entitled to reimbursement of research-related travelling and material expenses, as well as extended access to the research and university library.

Reimbursement of research-related travelling and material expenses (material expense grants)

Overview diagram on the reimbursement of research-related travelling and material expenses from EPPP funds (material expense grants)

Application for reimbursement of research-related travelling and material expenses from EPPP funds (material expense grants)

Guidelines on the reimbursement of research-related travelling and material expenses from EPPP funds (material expense grants)

Extended Terms of Use for the Erfurt University Library and the Gotha Research Library

• 28-day grace period following the standard lending period (except in the case of reservations and with the exception of document delivery services)
• First reminder free of charge if the lending period is exceeded and within the grace period
• Loans of books from the textbook collection
• Free use of the scanning service offered by the University Library

To take advantage of these extended services, please contact the Research and Graduate Service Unit.

In addition: reimbursement of research-related travelling and material expenses for female doctoral candidates* and postdoctoral researchers* via the Office for Equal Opportunity and Family Services
(with gender entry female, diverse or not specified), who are affiliated with a (certified) graduate centre or the Max-Weber-Kolleg and are registered as full members with the Research and Graduate Service Office. Further information can be found here.

Here , the Graduate Centresintroduce themselves, outlining their main research themes and training programmes.

The Max-Weber-Kolleg also organises its Graduate service in accordance with the standards of the EPP programme.

To apply for full membership, please contact the relevant Graduate Centre. Information on the thematic focus areas, requirements and contact details can be found on the overview page for EPPP-certified Graduate Centres.

The general requirements for admission as a full member are that you are working on a research project related in content to the main theme of the relevant Graduate Centre, that your doctoral thesis is supervised by a full member of the Graduate Centre, acceptance as a doctoral candidate at one of the faculties of the University of Erfurt or at the Max-Weber-Kolleg of the University of Erfurt, and a status as a member of the University of Erfurt.

Admission as a research fellow takes place on the 1st of the month following the successful completion of the two-stage selection process, which consists of a written application and an interview. The Graduate Centres notifies the FGF Department of the admission by means of a ‘Confirmation of Admission as a Full Member’.

Further information on this can be found in §4 of the Framework Regulations for the Erfurt Doctorate and Postdoctoral Programme.