Germany Invites International Scholars for 2025 Hans Böckler Foundation PhD Scholarships

Doctoral students from across the globe pursuing studies in social sciences, humanities, or economics are invited to apply for the Hans Böckler Foundation’s 2025 scholarships in Germany. These scholarships offer international students dedicated support and funding to further their research while integrating into the German academic community.

According to the DAAD Scholarship, the Hans Böckler Foundation, backed by the Confederation of German Trade Unions (DGB), aims to foster academic and social engagement through these programs. The foundation prioritizes applicants from the global south, focusing on supporting students who demonstrate strong academic potential and social commitment.

For 2025, the Hans Böckler Foundation is offering two primary scholarship opportunities: the Dieter Schumacher International PhD Scholarship in Economics and the Ute and György Széll International PhD Scholarship in Social Sciences and Humanities.

The Dieter Schumacher International PhD Scholarship offers a 12 to 24-month opportunity in economics, providing a monthly stipend of EUR 1,550, along with an annual travel allowance of EUR 1,400. To be eligible, applicants must be under 30 years old and engage in research related to fiscal and monetary policy, labor markets, income distribution, or financial markets, from an employee-focused perspective.

Meanwhile, the Ute and György Széll International PhD Scholarship provides a six-month opportunity in social sciences and humanities, offering a monthly stipend of EUR 1,450 and an annual travel allowance of EUR 1,300. This scholarship has no age limit, allowing students to conduct research at a foundation or archive alongside their academic institution.

Both scholarships are designed for students actively involved in political, cultural, or social sectors, reflecting the foundation’s commitment to supporting research that aligns with its core values.

Eligibility Requirements

To qualify, candidates must submit several key documents, including:

• A three-page project outline detailing research goals and methodology
• An invitation letter from a German host supervisor
• Letters of recommendation from their home institution’s PhD supervisor
• A CV and diploma
• A completed application form

Interested applicants can submit their applications through the Hans Böckler Foundation’s official scholarship webpage.

Application Deadlines

The deadline for applications for both the Dieter Schumacher PhD Scholarship and the Ute and György Széll PhD Scholarship is February 28, 2025. For those aiming to apply for the Winter Semester, the application window will open from November 15, 2024, and close on February 1, 2025.

These scholarships present a remarkable opportunity for international doctoral candidates to advance their research and engage with Germany’s academic community, thereby enriching their academic and professional journeys.