The University of Tübingen (Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen) is one of Germany’s oldest research universities, founded in 1477 and located in Tübingen, Baden-Württemberg. The university is ranked #=230 in the QS World University Rankings 2027 and has more than 22,500 students, including a large international student community.
For doctoral applicants, it is important to note that the University of Tübingen does not award general doctoral scholarships itself. Instead, doctoral candidates can seek funding through the State Postgraduate Fellowship Programme (Landesgraduiertenförderung), targeted STIBET funding, externally funded scholarships, and paid doctoral research positions.
Here are 2 important PhD funding opportunities for international doctoral researchers at the University of Tübingen:
- State Postgraduate Fellowship Programme – Landesgraduiertenförderung
- STIBET Scholarship for International Doctoral Candidates
1. State Postgraduate Fellowship Programme – Landesgraduiertenförderung
The State Postgraduate Fellowship Programme (Landesgraduiertenförderung) is a state-funded doctoral support scheme available to doctoral candidates at the University of Tübingen. The university states that doctoral candidates from all subject areas can apply for this funding.
The currently published 2026 call focuses on completion grants for doctoral students in the final phase of their doctorate.
Benefits
● Scholarship expected to amount to €1,365 per month
● Funding for a maximum of 5 months under the current completion-grant call
● Funding can continue only until the end of the month in which the doctoral defence takes place
● Conversion into funding for a doctoral position may be possible under the applicable regulations
● Available to doctoral candidates who meet the programme requirements
Eligibility
- Applicants must be doctoral candidates at the University of Tübingen.
- Applicants must be in the final phase of their doctoral studies for the current completion-grant call.
- Applicants must not have previously received personalised funding or a scholarship for their doctoral project under the stated conditions.
- Applicants must have a doctoral project that can be completed during the proposed funding period.
- The application must include a statement from the doctoral supervisor.
- Applicants must meet the applicable requirements of the State Postgraduate Fellowship Programme.
Required Documents
Applicants should prepare:
● Informal funding application of no more than two pages
● Statement from the PhD supervisor of no more than one page
● Description of the work to be completed during the funding period
● Expected date of the doctoral defence, if already scheduled
● Assessment of the academic relevance of the doctoral work
● Details of publications already produced or in preparation
● Other administrative documents requested after the funding decision
Duration
Under the currently published 2026 completion-grant call, doctoral candidates can receive funding for up to 5 months. The grant is a one-off award and cannot be extended.
Deadline
For the currently published 2026 completion-grant round, applications were due by June 30, 2026.
For a 2027 application, students should wait for the next official call because the university has not yet published a confirmed 2027 deadline.
2. STIBET Scholarship for International Doctoral Candidates
The STIBET scholarship is a targeted funding opportunity for international, non-European doctoral candidates at the University of Tübingen who face financial difficulties during their PhD.
The university specifically states that international non-European doctoral students who are struggling financially during the completion of their doctorate may apply for STIBET funding.
Benefits
● Financial support during the final stage of the PhD
● Designed specifically for eligible international, non-European doctoral candidates
● Can provide temporary financial assistance when students experience financial difficulties
● Application guidance is available through the University of Tübingen’s relevant international funding contacts
Eligibility
- Applicants must be international doctoral candidates.
- Applicants must be from a non-European country.
- Applicants should be experiencing financial difficulties while completing their doctorate.
- Applicants must meet the requirements of the STIBET funding scheme.
- Applicants should contact the university for the current application procedure and required documents.
Required Documents
Applicants should be prepared to provide documents such as:
● Proof of doctoral enrolment or status
● Academic progress information
● Evidence of financial difficulties
● Academic CV
● Information about the doctoral project
● Supervisor-related documentation, where requested
● Other documents specified by the university
Duration
The exact duration and amount of STIBET funding depend on the applicable funding round and the applicant’s circumstances. Students should contact the University of Tübingen for the current details before applying.
Deadline
There is no confirmed general 2027 STIBET deadline published on the university’s current doctoral funding page. Applicants should contact the university and monitor the latest STIBET announcement for the next application opportunity.
Other PhD Funding Options at University of Tübingen
Although the university does not award general doctoral scholarships, doctoral researchers can use several other funding routes.
Paid Doctoral Research Positions
Many doctoral candidates at Tübingen are employed as research assistants at the university or at university-related research institutes. Doctoral positions are advertised through the university’s job portal.
External Scholarships
Major German and international funding organisations offer their own doctoral scholarships. The University of Tübingen’s Graduate Academy provides information and advice to doctoral candidates seeking funding.
CSC-Tübingen PhD Program
The University of Tübingen also has a dedicated China Scholarship Council (CSC) PhD Program for Chinese nationals. The program offers a full-time fellowship route of up to 48 months or a part-time sandwich-model route of 6–24 months at Tübingen. The currently announced application system is scheduled to open from October 15, 2026, to January 15, 2027.
This opportunity is specifically for Chinese nationals and is not a general scholarship for Pakistani or other international applicants.
How to Apply for a PhD at the University of Tübingen
- Choose your doctoral research field.
- Search for a suitable doctoral program or a doctoral program.
- Identify a professor or research group whose research matches your proposed topic.
- Prepare a strong research proposal.
- Contact a potential supervisor.
- Check the doctoral admission requirements of the relevant faculty.
- Obtain acceptance as a doctoral candidate.
- Search for suitable scholarships, research positions, or external funding.
- Prepare your academic and financial documents.
- Apply for the relevant funding opportunity when its call opens.
- Complete the doctoral admission and enrolment process.
The University of Tübingen notes that acceptance as a doctoral candidate is not automatically linked to funding, and doctoral candidates are responsible for organising their own financing.
Important Points
● The University of Tübingen does not award general doctoral scholarships.
● Doctoral candidates can apply for the State Postgraduate Fellowship Programme.
● The current completion-grant call offers up to 5 months of funding.
● The expected scholarship amount under the current call is €1,365 per month.
● The current 2026 completion-grant deadline was June 30, 2026; a 2027 deadline should not be presented as confirmed until officially announced.
● STIBET funding is specifically relevant to international, non-European doctoral candidates experiencing financial difficulties.
● Paid research-assistant positions are another important way to finance a PhD at Tübingen.
● The Deutschlandstipendium does not support doctoral students.
● The CSC-Tübingen PhD Program is specifically for Chinese nationals.
● Scholarship availability and deadlines can change with each funding call.
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