Goethe University Frankfurt PhD Scholarships 2027

Goethe University Frankfurt (Goethe-Universität Frankfurt am Main) is a public research university in Frankfurt, Germany. It was established in 1914 and is named after the German writer Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. The university is ranked #=376 in the QS World University Rankings 2027. Goethe University does not publish an official overall PhD acceptance rate because doctoral admissions vary by faculty, research area, doctoral program, and supervisor.

For international doctoral candidates, Goethe University offers several funding opportunities through the Goethe Research Academy for Early Career Researchers (GRADE). Two particularly relevant scholarships are the GRADE Starting Scholarship and the GRADE Completion Scholarship.

1. GRADE Starting Scholarship for International Doctoral Candidates

The GRADE Starting Scholarship supports international candidates who are preparing for or have recently started their PhD at Goethe University Frankfurt. The scholarship is funded by the Franz Adickes Stiftungsfonds and is designed to help international researchers manage the financial and administrative challenges of beginning a doctorate in Germany.

Benefits

• €1,650 per month
• Funding for 3 months
• Up to 15 scholarships available in the 2026 call
• Financial support during the preparation and initial phase of the doctoral project
• Support particularly useful for accommodation, mobility and initial doctoral expenses.

Eligibility

Applicants may generally be considered if they:

1. Are not German citizens.
2. Obtained their university entrance qualification outside Germany.
3. Have completed or are close to completing a degree qualifying them for doctoral study, such as a Master’s degree.
4. Have a supervisor at Goethe University who has committed to supervising the doctoral project.
5. Have either applied for doctoral funding or received a funding commitment from their supervisor.
6. Meet the additional requirements in the current GRADE call.

Recipients cannot have substantial employment or another scholarship during the scholarship period.

Required Documents

Applicants should generally prepare:

• Academic CV
• Master’s degree certificate or evidence of completion
• Academic transcripts
• Research proposal/project description
• Motivation statement
• Confirmation or commitment from a Goethe University supervisor
• Evidence of doctoral funding application or funding commitment
• Passport/identification
• Other documents requested in the current call

The Deadline

For the 2026 call, the deadline was May 8, 2026. The 2027 deadline should be checked when Goethe University publishes the next call.

How to Apply

1. Identify a suitable PhD research area at Goethe University.
2. Find and contact a potential doctoral supervisor.
3. Obtain the supervisor’s commitment to supervise your research.
4. Prepare your research proposal and academic documents.
5. Apply for doctoral funding or obtain a funding commitment from your supervisor.
6. Complete the GRADE Starting Scholarship application.
7. Upload the required documents.
8. Submit the application before the announced deadline.

2. GRADE Completion Scholarship for International Doctoral Candidates

The GRADE Completion Scholarship is designed for international PhD candidates in the final stage of their dissertations who need short-term financial support to complete their dissertations. The 2026 scholarships were funded by the DAAD and the Stiftung zur Förderung der internationalen wissenschaftlichen Beziehungen der Johann Wolfgang Goethe-Universität.

Benefits

• €1,000 per month
• Funding for 3 months
• 5 scholarships were offered in the 2026 call
• Funding can be used to support the final stage of dissertation completion
• The 2026 funding could begin in July 2026.

Eligibility

Applicants may generally be considered if they:

1. Are international doctoral candidates at Goethe University Frankfurt.
2. Are in the final stages of their PhD.
3. Expect to complete their dissertation during the relevant funding period.
4. Meet the academic and doctoral requirements of GRADE.
5. Do not have substantial employment during the scholarship period.
6. Do not receive another scholarship for the same purpose.

The 2026 call specifically targeted candidates whose doctoral degrees were expected to be completed in 2026 or early 2027.

Required Documents

Applicants should prepare:

• Academic CV
• Current transcript or doctoral progress information
• Dissertation/project description
• Explanation of the current stage of the thesis
• Timeline for completing the dissertation
• Supervisor confirmation, where required
• Proof of international status
• Other documents specified by GRADE

The Deadline

For the 2026 call, the application deadline was March 29, 2026. Applicants interested in the 2027 scholarship should check the next GRADE announcement for the updated deadline.

How to Apply

1. Confirm that you are an international doctoral candidate at Goethe University.
2. Check that your dissertation is in its final stage.
3. Prepare your thesis progress report and completion plan.
4. Prepare your academic CV and other required documents.
5. Complete the GRADE Completion Scholarship application.
6. Upload all supporting documents.
7. Submit the application before the announced deadline.
8. Wait for the GRADE selection decision.

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