DAAD-EPOS Scholarships for Bonn International Graduate School for Development Research, Doctoral Program 2023, Germany
Applications deadlines: October 1, 2022
BIGS-DR: Tailored Qualification
The Bonn International Graduate School for Development Research (BIGS-DR) is a structured doctoral program at the Center for Development Research (ZEF). We are a part of a framework of international graduate programs at the University of Bonn that maintains the highest level of academic quality and doctoral training. BIGS-DR enables doctoral studies in outstanding development research with attractive international collaborations and a tailored qualification program. BIGS-DR is an excellent choice as a stepping stone for your international career in the field of development cooperation, policy or research.
ZEF is led by three renowned professors in the areas of social sciences, economics, and ecology: PD Dr. Eva Youkhana, Prof. Dr. Matin Qaim, and Prof. Dr. Christian Borgemeister.
Young scientists from all over the world
BIGS-DR students are part of an international academic community of students, researchers, faculty, and alumni. Our students come from diverse academic and regional backgrounds, and our faculty are engaged with various institutions and projects across the globe. We have collaborations with international universites and institutes where we conduct joint seminars and project development.
Students are part of a large network of researchers coming from almost 100 countries. Roughly 700 students have joined our program since its inception in 1999. Our educational concept encourages the open exchange of academic and social ideas.
Step by Step to a Doctorate
Our full-time doctoral program has a duration of 3-4 years. Doctoral students will participate in course work, conduct their field research, and complete their thesis within this time frame. In addition, students take part in workshops in academic writing, intercultural working, leadership skills, and ethical considerations.
Our education concept involves intensive supervision and tutorship. The BIGS-DR selection committee helps students to find supervisors with overlapping research themes and methods. Once students begin their studies, they will receive additional guidance by a tutor. Being part of the BIGS-DR academic atmosphere gives students the possibility of exchanging professional and personal experiences, advice and support.
Students who finish and defend their theses successfully are conferred a doctoral degree in sociology, political science, social anthropology, economics, agricultural economics, agriculture, forestry, mathematics or natural science. The degrees are granted by the respective university faculty, which is usually the faculty of the first supervisor.
Students may pursue their doctoral study under direct supervision of professors at ZEF, but may also be associated with ZEF while being supervised elsewhere. Arrangements within the selected german university are made to ensure that a student is accepted by a distinguished advisor and is acceptable to their faculty. The majority of doctoral students are supervised by professors of the University of Bonn.
How to apply
Documents to prepare
All applicants have to prepare several pdf-documents before applying online. Here is the checklist:
Checklist for your application
Do you want to apply for a DAAD- scholarship?
Please find all additional details, requirements and forms here:
Objective
With its development-oriented postgraduate study programmes, the DAAD promotes the training of specialists from development and newly industrialised countries. Well-trained local experts, who are networked with international partners, play an important part in the sustainable development of their countries. They are the best guarantee for a better future with less poverty, more education and health for all. The scholarships offer foreign graduates from development and newly industrialised countries from all disciplines and with at least two years’ professional experience the chance to take a postgraduate or Master’s degree at a state or state-recognised German university, and in exceptional cases to take a doctoral degree, and to obtain a university qualification (Master’s/PhD) in Germany.
Who can apply?
Graduates with at least two years’ professional experience from the following countries: list of eligible countries
What can be funded?
Individual scholarships exclusively for Postgraduate courses in Germany that are listed on the “List of all Postgraduate courses with application deadlines 2023/24”.
Duration of the funding
12 to 42 months (dependent on study programme)
Value
- Depending on academic level, monthly payments of 861 euros for graduates or 1,200 euros for doctoral candidates
- Payments towards health, accident and personal liability insurance cover
- Travel allowance, unless these expenses are covered by the home country or another source of funding
Under certain circumstances, scholarship holders may receive the following additional benefits:
- Monthly rent subsidy
- Monthly allowance for accompanying members of family
Selection
- Candidates fulfil the necessary academic requirements and can be expected to successfully complete a study programme in Germany (above-average result for first academic exam – top performance third, language skills)
- Candidates have a Bachelor degree (usually a four-year course) in an appropriate subject
- Candidates have at least two years’ professional experience
- Candidates can prove their motivation is development-related and be expected to take on social responsibility and initiate and support processes of change in their personal and professional environment after their training/scholarship
Next intake is October 2023
All applicants have to apply here:
Application portal of the University of Bonn.
Entry requirements
All applicants require an excellent master’s degree, an innovative Research Proposal and English proficiency.
The Research Proposal should describe an innovative research topic and include your main research questions, stress the innovative part, the proposed methods and add literature references. Your Research Proposal should relate to ZEF’s research areas in a broad sense. The selection committee will assess all research statements on the basis of originality, analytical rigor, and relevance.
DAAD-applicants must fulfill several additional criteria:
Source / Additional information: DAAD Official Website – University of Bonn ZEF Official Website.