Funder: Gerda Henkel Foundation
Due Dates: Rolling (applications accepted anytime)
Funding Amounts: Monthly scholarship of €1,920 for up to 2 years, with possible 12-month extension; additional family and abroad allowances available.
Summary: Provides full-time PhD scholarships in historical humanities fields, open internationally with no fixed deadline.
Key Information: Applicants must have a Master's grade of 1.5 or better and be under 28 at graduation (age exceptions apply); applications are digital only.
Description
The Gerda Henkel Foundation offers PhD scholarships to support emerging scholars in the historical humanities, including Archaeology, History of Art, Historical Islamic Studies, History, History of Science, History of Law, and Prehistory and Early History. The program aims to promote highly qualified new academic talent by funding full-time doctoral research projects for up to two years, with a possible extension of 12 months under justified circumstances.
Scholarships are awarded regardless of nationality or location, and applications can be submitted at any time throughout the year. The Foundation emphasizes supporting candidates with excellent academic records and promising doctoral projects expected to yield above-average results.
Funding covers a monthly stipend of €1,920, with additional monthly family grants for children under 18 (€480 for the first child, €120 for each additional child), a monthly endowment for scholarships abroad (€480), and travel/material aid as required. The scholarship cannot be combined with a salary or pension.
Due Dates
- Applications are accepted on a rolling basis with no fixed deadline.
- Selection committees meet quarterly.
- The review and approval process typically takes up to six months after receipt of a complete application including two letters of recommendation.
Funding Amount
- Monthly scholarship: €1,920
- Family grant: €480 for one child, €120 for each additional child (children under 18)
- Monthly abroad scholarship supplement: €480
- Travel and material expenses: reimbursed as required
- Duration: Up to 2 years, with possible extension of 12 months
Eligibility
- Applicants must have a Master's degree (or equivalent) with an overall grade of 1.5 or better (German grading scale) or equivalent assessment for foreign degrees.
- Must not be older than 28 years at the time of graduation qualifying for PhD studies; age exceptions apply for night school, childcare, military service, work experience, or other special circumstances.
- Only full-time scholarships are available; employment limited to max. 5 hours per week.
- Applicants must apply in English or German.
- Scholarships are not awarded for final doctoral completion ("final scholarships") or if the applicant receives a salary or pension.
- Open to all nationalities and locations.
Application Process
- Applications must be submitted digitally via the Foundation’s online application form.
- Required documents include:
- Research proposal (max. 8 pages, plus bibliography if needed)
- Time schedule and work plan (max. 2 pages)
- Detailed cost calculation for travel and materials
- Curriculum vitae (tabular form)
- Copies of university degree certificates qualifying for PhD studies (no Bachelor certificates)
- Two expert letters of recommendation submitted via the Foundation’s online recommendation form (applicant responsible for ensuring timely submission)
- Applications missing required documents or letters of recommendation will not be considered.
- No postal or email submissions of application documents or recommendations are accepted.
- The Foundation does not conduct interviews; decisions are based solely on submitted materials.
- Applicants can reapply if previously refused, but must submit a complete new application.
Additional Information
- Doctorates must be started within 12 months of grant approval.
- The Foundation does not fund tuition or college fees.
- Travel expenses for conference attendance are generally not funded unless part of larger research projects.
- Publishing aid is available only to especially successful scholars already funded by the Foundation.
- Grants can be transferred to overseas bank accounts (preferably with IBAN and BIC).
- Recipients are advised to obtain medical insurance as the Foundation does not cover insurance costs.
- Employment exceeding 5 hours per week must be approved by the Foundation.
- The Foundation requests acknowledgment in publications and media arising from funded projects.
External Links
Contact Information
Gerda Henkel Foundation
Malkastenstrasse 15, 40211 Düsseldorf, Germany
Contact Page