University Funding for the Completion of the Doctorate in DFG Research Training Groups
Doctoral candidates of all faculties who are working on their doctoral thesis in a DFG Research Training Group (RTG) at the University of Freiburg and have not finished their doctoral thesis within the maximum funding period are eligible for funding. A prerequisite for the funding is previous funding of the doctoral thesis by the DFG RTG for 36 or 48 months.
The university funding for the completion of the doctorate is only possible within the framework of the German Academic Fixed-Term Contract Act (WissZeitVG) regulations.
The university funding for the completion of the doctorate should serve as a solution for limited exceptional cases.
The funding is provided within the framework of a fixed-term part-time employment (40%, TV-L E 13). The funding is subject to compulsory social security contributions.
The funding typically lasts up to six months for doctoral candidates who have already been employed for 48 months through a DFG Research Training Group. Doctoral candidates from DFG Research Training Groups where the maximum duration of doctoral funding is 36 months can receive completion funding of up to twelve months.
Please submit hard copies of your complete application documents (see list below) to the Graduate Centre (GraCe) at Freiburg Research Services anytime. The Central Grants Commission holds meetings three times a year to decide on all applications received (as a rule, meetings are held in February/March, June/July, and October/November). The next meeting of the Central Grants Commission is in June 2026. The application deadline for this meeting is 13 May 2026 at 1:00 pm. Any applications received after this deadline will only be considered at the next meeting. After the commission makes its decision, GraCe will inform you as soon as possible whether and for what time period your application has been considered. The continued employment, extension of the existing contract, or conclusion of a new employment contract can begin no earlier than four weeks after receiving the notification.
In principle, the funding holders should dedicate their time to their doctoral project. However, further gainful employment is permitted, whereby the working hours must be no more than 25% of the monthly working hours of a full-time position (40 hours per month). Please also note that you must inform the Graduate Centre (GraCe) about any changes to your employment relationship immediately by showing your working contract or other evidence.
- Completed application form wet-inked signed by the applicant
- Specific reasons why you are applying for the funding for the completion of the doctorate. Specific reasons may include academic reasons (e.g., unforeseeable problems in your doctoral thesis) as well as personal circumstances.
- Description of your doctoral thesis, including work you have accomplished so far, as well as a detailed time schedule and milestones for the time period applied for.
- Letter of recommendation from your main supervisor regarding your application for the funding for the completion of the doctorate (not in copy). The letter should particularly respond to the following points: 1) specific reasons for the funding to complete the doctoral thesis, 2) achievements and results accomplished in the doctoral project, 3) likelihood that the doctoral thesis will lead to an important academic publication, 4) feasibility of work and time schedule
- Letter of support from the spokesperson of your DFG Research Training Group including a confirmation of your previous funding by the DFG RTG (not in copy)
- Informal statement on the unavailability of alternative funding by your institute/faculty or others (must be signed by your main supervisor and the dean of your faculty) and Specification of the cost centre number (Kostenstelle), project number (Projektnummer), and fund (Fonds) through which the applicant’s continued employment will be financed in the event of approval (This information can be obtained from the GRK coordinators or the management of your faculty).
- Curriculum vitae including details on your final grades
- Copy of your confirmation of acceptance as a doctoral candidate from your faculty – please note that neither certificates of your (foreign) degree nor confirmations of supervision by your supervisor are a confirmation of acceptance!
- Completed form P6f – Information to determine a fixed-term contract according to the German academic fixed-term contract act (WissZeitVG).
Downloads
Application Address
Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg
Freiburg Research Services
Graduate Centre (GraCe)
Ms Aleksandra Pojda de Pérez
Fahnenbergplatz
79085 Freiburg
