Become part of the new Cohort 2025-26!

• At least two years of graduate / PhD experience
• Be enrolled as a PhD at an accredited research institution OR be emloyed as a postdoctoral researcher at a university or research institute
• One of the following:
  • European or international citizen pursuing research anywhere in the world
  • European or international citizen pursuing research in Germany (German-based Internationals)
  • German citizen, currently working at a non-German research institution who has not been a resident of Germany for at least 2 years (“Rückkehrer*innen)

If you choose Track 1, you will apply directly for collaboration with one of our Host Principle Investigators (Host-PI) who hail from a variety of partner institutions, such as Clusters of Excellence, collaborative research centres and research groups of all disciplines. Your prospective Host-PI should match your scientific background and share your research interests, as the FRSA seeks to advance long-term collaboration.

Application Documents:

• Letter of motivation (1-2 pages). You should
  • indicate your motivation for joining the Freiburg Rising Stars Academy
  • describe the goal you wish to achieve as a Rising Star
  • and include a brief poposal of collaboration with the Host Principle Investgator of your choice, also describing why you believe that you would be a good match
• Application form
• Curriculum Vitae focusing on your research skills
• Certificates documenting your degree(s)

Some of our partner institutions offer Track 2, which is a topic-based application. Track 2 is ideal, if you are generally interested in the research areas the prospective Host Institutions represent and you would like to propose novel ideas and projects that extend on or are based on the work undertaken at the Host Institution. While not a perquisite, it is highly recommended that you indicate the researchers with whom you wish to work during your tenure as Rising Star.

Application documents:

• Letter of motivation. You should:
  • indicate your motivation for joining the Freiburg Rising Stars Academy and the particular Host Institution
  • describe the goal you wish to achieve as a Rising Star
  • provide a detailed proposal of collaboration with one of the Host Institutions. Ideally, this includes groups or individuals with whom you wish to collaborate within the field. Please also indicate possible funding schemes for such future collaborations after successful completion of the Rising Stars Academy
• Application form
• Curriculum Vitae focusing on your research skills+Certificates documenting your degree(s)