French-German University - Doctoral Dissertation Award

The DFH Doctoral Dissertation Award

You will receive a prize of 2,000 EUR, as well as, depending on the sponsor, up to 4,500 euros, plus a lump sum of 200 euros to cover your travel expenses to the awards ceremony in Paris. You can use this money, for example, to publish your doctoral thesis. The prize is awarded for the best completed Franco-German doctoral theses. It is presented annually by the Franco-German University (DFH / Université franco-allemande, UFA), a network that runs binational study and research programmes. Each year, several prizes are awarded in thematic categories, including an intercultural prize, a European prize, an economics prize and a solidarity prize. In the year 2026, six prizes were awarded.

Who can apply

• Your doctorate: You have completed your PhD, and the date on your degree certificate falls within a specified period. For the 2026 round, this period was between 1 October 2021 and 15 October 2025.
• Programme: You have written your doctoral thesis as part of a binational programme funded by the DFH. This involves either a PhD track, a ‘Cotutelle de thèse’ (a doctoral programme supervised jointly in Germany and France) or a ‘Collège doctoral franco-allemand’ (CDFA).
• Field of study: Open to all disciplines.
• Nationality: All nationalities welcome.
• Grades: There is no minimum mark required. Your mark will be assessed according to the standards of your subject.
• Publications: Academic publications are not essential, but they are an advantage.
• Second try: If you applied last year and were not selected, you can apply again.

How to apply

The application process consists of two stages and must be completed by the deadline of 15 October. First, please complete the online form on the DFH website. You must then send your complete application and your final thesis by email to the DFH. A joint Franco-German selection panel comprising representatives from academia and industry will select the prize winners; there will be no interview. You must attend the award ceremony in Paris.

How realistic are your chances?

This award is presented only to a very narrowly defined target group. Only those who have completed a specific type of Franco-German binational PhD within the framework of the DFH programmes are eligible to apply, meaning that the pool of potential candidates is small. If you fit this profile, submit a complete application in both German and French, and can demonstrate the intercultural value of your work, your prospects are good. A clearly demonstrable commitment to Franco-German relations, as well as any publications, will help you stand out from other applicants.