Graduation Scholarship

The STIBET Graduation Grants are to be granted to qualified foreign doctoral candidates in the final phase of their doctorate, who are in financial distress without their fault and whose successful completion of the doctorate is to be expected within the next twelve months. The financial support is intended to enable them to concentrate fully on the completion of their dissertation and thus enable them to complete their studies.

Prior to the decision of the selection body, a financial means test will be carried out. The doctoral researchers are requested to attach to the application documents a detailed description of their financial situation, revealing among others why no support by another party (e.g. family members, spouse, institute) is possible. In addition, statements of accounts for a period of three months prior to the submission of the application must be enclosed. The amount of the scholarship will adapted to the individual need and depends on the availability of means. As a rule, the amount of the graduation scholarship granted will not be sufficient to ensure subsistence. For this reason, co-funding by the applying institutes will probably be required and requested.

Target group

Foreign doctoral candidates in the final phase of their doctorate, whose successful completion of the doctorate is to be expected within the next twelve months. 

Requirements

For awarding the grant to doctoral students, a doctoral agreement is required. Within six months upon the start of the grant, the doctoral candidate must be accepted by a KIT department with or without reservations. Good (study) results of the doctoral candidates and prognosis of successful completion of studies within the next twelve months are required.

Application

• The application must be sent via email by the applicant doctoral student.
• For data protection reasons, the support letter must be submitted directly by the supervisor (Doktorvater/Doktormutter) via an encrypted email.

Documents to be submitted

• Cover sheet.
• Support letter including the prognosis of a successful doctorate within the next twelve months, the presumable date of completion of the doctorate (inclusive of defense), and the period of support needed.
• Motivation letter by the doctoral student, including a description of his / her personal situation as well as milestones and goals to be reached until defense of the doctorate.
• Curriculum vitae of the applicant.
• Official acceptance letter for the doctorate by the department (validity of acceptance until the planned date of defense).
• Detailed description of the doctoral student’s financial situation outlining why no other support is possible (by family members / spouse / institute).
• Account statements of the doctoral student for the last three months upon submission of the application.
• For non-EU citizens: Scan of the current residence title.

The application documents will be treated as confidential and will only be used for deciding on the graduation scholarship. 

Send the application documents in electronic form by email to the International Scholars and Welcome Office (DE INTL): oliver kaas∂kit edu.

Grant Decision

The grant decision will be made by IScO together with the Equal Opportunities Office. Selection criteria include the availability of funding, scientific qualification and scientific achievements of the applicant (determination, broad knowledge, scientific productivity) as well as financial need. Information on the outcome is provided in writing.

Amount and Duration of Funding

The graduation grant can be awarded for a maximum of six months. An extension to a maximum of twelve months is possible in exceptional cases. The grant amounts to a maximum of EUR 1200 per month. This amount is the maximum specified in the STIBET Program, which does not mean that it has to be paid in any case. Payment of smaller grants is possible as well. However, the amount should not be below EUR 250 per month. Deviations must be agreed upon with the DAAD in advance.

The amount of the scholarship will adapted to the individual need and depends on the availability of means. As a rule, the amount of the graduation scholarship granted will not be sufficient to ensure subsistence. For this reason, co-funding by the applying institutes will probably be required and requested.

Conclusion

After the funding period a short final report shall be drawn up together with a photo of the doctoral candidate. The report will be published on the website under personal accounts.

Downloads

• Call for applications.

Project contact person: Oliver Kaas

Supported by the DAAD with funds from the Federal Foreign Office.