Deadline:
December 01, 2025
Location(s)
Germany
Overview
Every year Studienwerk supports 200 doctoral students of all types of subjects with scholarships and a comprehensive range of educational programmes. The scholarships are awarded in accordance with the guidelines of the Federal Ministry of Education and Research: here the students' own earnings and personal living situation are the decisive criteria.
Details
There are two application deadlines per year (1st December and 1st June). Please submit the following documents for your application for a doctoral scholarship:
Application documents
- Personnel record [ PDF | 1 page | 23 KB ], please do not send a photo.
- Two references from professors or university lecturers with doctor titles, one of which must be written by your academic supervisor (you can download information on the criteria for references here [ PDF | 1 page | 50 KB ]).
- Outline, concept and timeline of the thesis (max. 15 pages plus bibliography).
- One tabular CV and one detailed CV (essay), both signed (max. 2 pages each), please do not enclose a photo.
- Copies of your leaving certificates (A-level, bachelor, master, diploma, etc.) with individual grades (if cited) and overall grades.
- Proof of admission to a doctoral programme.
- Informal statement for non-Protestant applicants (please explain your interest in Evangelisches Studienwerk and your thoughts on religion and the church).
- Formal statement if you expect to complete your PhD abroad.
Dates and fees
- Deadline 1st December: a decision on whether a scholarship is granted or not is made on the basis of personal talks in April.
- Deadline 1st June: a decision is made on the basis of a personal interview in October.
Opportunity is About
Eligibility
Candidates should be from:
Description of Ideal Candidate
The following formal requirements apply for the application:
- Membership in a Protestant church (exceptions in justified cases).
- Completion of first university degree in a short period of time.
- Above-average performances in studies and examinations (final grades at least »good«, in law »fully satisfactory«).
- Qualification which entitles doctoral studies.
- Foreign students may apply if they have been admitted to a doctoral programm at a university in the Federal Republic of Germany.
Dates
Deadline: December 01, 2025
Cost/funding for participants
Currently the complete scholarship amounts to 1.450 Euros per month. In addition doctoral students receive a fixed sum of 100 euros for research.
Unfortunately applications from doctoral students whose work is in the final stages can no longer be taken into consideration for a doctoral scholarship at Evangelischen Studienwerk.
Scholarships are initially granted for one year and upon application extended to a maximum of three years. If children under 12 years of age for whom a person receiving a scholarship or a doctoral scholarship is responsible and for whom they have custody live in the student's own household, the student shall be entitled to a childcare allowance and support for a parental year.
Besides providing financial aid, the graduate scholarship of Evangelisches Studienwerk comprises a wide range of academic offers:
- Summer university
A broad variety of seminars are held at the Villigst Campus during the summer months. Academics, experts, students and graduates with different academic and professional backgrounds come together to discuss issues in an interdisciplinary atmosphere. - Graduates' Convention
Graduate scholars meet twice a year to discuss and present research. Those who wish can be part of a network of Villigst graduates who offer help and advice to undergraduate students. - Democracy
Villigst is a democratic organization and encourages all students contribute to the institutional life. - Local groups
Scholars meet regularly with other Villigsters from their university in local groups. Group meetings may often take place in pubs, but there is usually some Villigst business to be discussed. - Publications
PhD students have the opportunity to publish their dissertation (see »Villigst Perspektiven«)
Un-save Opportunity
Internships, scholarships, student conferences and competitions.
