French-German University - Scholarships for French-German jointly supervised doctoral dissertations

What you get

You will receive up to 5,000 EUR to fund a Franco-German doctoral thesis (a ‘cotutelle de thèse’). As part of a cotutelle, you will write a thesis under the supervision of one professor in Germany and one in France, and will be awarded a doctoral degree recognised in both countries. The grant is divided into two parts: up to 4,000 EUR for travel and accommodation costs during your stays abroad, including conference fees, and up to 1,000 EUR for your final oral defence, for example to cover the travel costs of your supervisors and examiners. The travel allowance is paid in two instalments of 2,000 EUR each: one upon admission and one as soon as the date for your oral defence has been confirmed. The funding generally runs for three years and may be extended to five years in justified cases. It is provided by the Franco-German University (DFH/UFA) in Saarbrücken. You may combine it with other basic funding schemes such as the DFG, DAAD or MESR, and even with paid employment.

Who can apply

• Level: You are a PhD student and are enrolled at both a German and a French university for a joint PhD programme (cotutelle).
• Prior degree: In Germany, a five-year degree programme is usually required (in rare cases, it is possible to complete a fast-track PhD after obtaining a Bachelor’s degree). In France, a ‘Master de Recherche’ or an equivalent degree obtained abroad is required.
• Field of study: Open to all disciplines.
• Nationality: Applicants of all nationalities are welcome to apply; there is no age limit.
• Universities: Your two universities do not need to be part of any specific network.
• Agreement in place: You have a signed cooperation agreement on joint supervision between the two universities, which is not even a year old.

How to apply

There is no fixed deadline. You may apply at any time once you have your signed cotutelle agreement. Please email the completed application form as a PDF file to the DFH, in German and/or French. If you wish to apply for funding for the joint defence only, please submit your application at least six weeks before the defence. It may take up to three months to process an application.

How realistic are your chances?

This funding scheme is very narrowly defined. You must already be undertaking a formal Franco-German joint PhD programme with a signed agreement and a supervisor in each country; consequently, the pool of eligible applicants is small. If you meet these requirements, your chances are good, as this is an ongoing call for applications rather than a one-off competition for a single award. Apply as soon as your agreement has been signed, as it must not be more than one year old.