News for Early Stage Researchers

Current newsletter of the Graduate Services

The newsletter of the Graduate Services is published quarterly. Here you will find current calls for proposals as well as news from the Academic Qualification Program, equal opportunities, university-internal graduate centres, and the Committee of PhD Representatives.

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

As part of the doctoral procedure, Tim Thierbach will present his dissertation "Wirtschaftsgeographisches Wissen in Kaufmannshandbüchern am Beginn des 18. Jahrhunderts. Eine Analyse am Beispiel der Werke von Paul Jacob Marperger" for discussion in C18.03.03 on Wednesday, 27 May 2026, at 4:15 p.m. 
All interested parties are cordially invited. 

Further information can be found on the poster.

As part of the doctoral procedure, Philipp Köncke will present his dissertation "The Political Economy of China's Rise: Party-State Capitalism, Internationalization Strategies and Geoeconomic Tensions“ for discussion on Friday, 5 June 2026 at 10.00 a.m. in building C21, room 0.10. 
All interested parties are cordially invited. 

Further information can be found on the poster.

Future Network Weimar Triangle: Science for Europe

Aim of the programme

The “Future Network Weimar Triangle” aims to expand the political initiative “Weimar Triangle”, launched in 1991 by the foreign ministers of Germany, France and Poland, to include a platform for sustainable science (to promote trilateral cooperation between Germany, France and Poland). The programme promotes trilateral cooperation and research between Germany, France and Poland. Our aim is to initiate joint research and scientific projects, to connect young talents and, in doing so, to develop a space for joint solutions to European and global challenges.

Who can apply?

Doctoral and postdoctoral researchers from all disciplines who wish to apply for a research stay in Germany, France and Poland who are working on the following future-oriented topics:

• Technologies for climate-neutral energy production and mobility, as well as climate protection (e.g., fusion technologies, decarbonization of the economy and expansion of renewable energy, energy storage, and cross-border infrastructure)
• Artificial intelligence and digitalization, as well as microelectronics (e.g., strengthening Europe’s digital sovereignty, research on AI applications, ethical standards, and cybersecurity; research on innovative, AI-enabled chip applications)
• Security in Europe and the resilience of the scientific system (e.g., knowledge security, research data security; research on countering hybrid threats, risk management; security of key strategic technologies and critical raw materials; science communication)
• Biotechnology and medicine of the future (e.g., resilient agricultural and food systems, innovative diagnostics and therapies, bioeconomy, medical technology, and sustainable health research) 
• Challenges, impacts, and benefits of new technologies on and for society (social sciences and humanities research, e.g., on human-machine interaction and the challenges posed by new technologies to the state and society in Europe).

What is being funded?

Researchers from Germany can apply for research stays in France or Poland, whilst researchers from France or Poland can apply for a research stay in Germany. Research projects may be carried out at universities or non-university research institutions. 

In addition to promoting mobility, a central component of the programme is the establishment of working groups designed to identify common interests and research areas, support interdisciplinary projects, and build long-term networks. The working groups consist of programme fellows, doctorate candidates, postdocs, relevant DAAD alumni, partners and university faculty, thereby forming an interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary community.

Application deadline: 15 June 2026

Further information

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

• 20 May 2026, 2:00 - 3:30 p.m. CET – DFG funding Opportunities for Postdocs
• 25 June 2026, 2:00 - 3:30 p.m. CET – The Emmy Noether Programme 

Further information on the event and the slides of past lectures in the Prospects series 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.