DAAD Weimar Triangle PhD Scholarship 2026 – Fully Funded Research in Germany

Scholarship Description

The DAAD Weimar Triangle PhD Scholarship (Future Network Weimar Triangle: Science for Europe) is a prestigious, fully funded programme for doctoral candidates from all disciplines. It aims to expand the political initiative "Weimar Triangle" — launched in 1991 by the foreign ministers of Germany, France, and Poland — into a sustainable science platform promoting trilateral cooperation between these three nations.

The programme funds research stays in Germany lasting 3 to 12 months and supports innovative research projects addressing European and global challenges. Scholars become part of interdisciplinary working groups that build long-term networks, fostering European integration and strengthening the European Research Area.

Scholarship Location

The scholarship funds research stays at universities or non-university research institutions in Germany. The programme promotes cooperation between Germany, France, and Poland (the Weimar Triangle countries). Scholars are part of a trilateral network.

Scholarship Deadline

Host Institution

DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service) – the largest German support organisation for international academic cooperation. Research stays take place at German universities or non-university research institutions (e.g., Max Planck Institutes, Fraunhofer Institutes, Helmholtz centres, Leibniz institutes).

Level and Research Areas

Level: PhD / Doctoral candidates (from all disciplines).

Eligible research topics (five future-oriented clusters):

• Technologies for climate-neutral energy production and mobility, and climate protection (e.g., fusion technologies, decarbonisation, renewable energy, energy storage, cross-border infrastructure)
• Artificial intelligence and digitalisation, and microelectronics (e.g., strengthening Europe's digital sovereignty, AI applications, ethical standards, cybersecurity, AI-enabled chip applications)
• Security in Europe and the resilience of the scientific system (e.g., knowledge security, research data security, countering hybrid threats, risk management, critical raw materials, science communication)
• Biotechnology and medicine of the future (e.g., resilient agricultural and food systems, innovative diagnostics and therapies, bioeconomy, medical technology, sustainable health research)
• Challenges, impacts, and benefits of new technologies on and for society (social sciences and humanities research, e.g., human-machine interaction, challenges posed by new technologies to the state and society in Europe)

Target Group

PhD students from all disciplines who wish to apply for a research stay in Germany (3–12 months) and would like to get involved in the Weimar Triangle network. Applicants should be enrolled in a doctoral programme (or individual doctorate) in France or Poland, or wish to conduct research in Germany as part of their doctorate. Applications may also be submitted as a tandem (joint research project with other applicants).

Residency requirement: Your application cannot be considered if you have been resident in Germany for longer than 15 months at the application deadline.

Scholarship Duration & Amount

Duration: 3 to 12 months (funding may be used flexibly for several shorter stays within a 12-month period starting October 2026, if necessary).

Financial benefits include:

• Monthly scholarship instalment: €1,400 per month
• Lump sum towards international travel costs (amount varies by country)
• Payments towards health, accident, and personal liability insurance
• Monthly lump sum for research expenses: €102 per month
• Lump sum grants for attending conferences in the countries of the Weimar Triangle
• Monthly allowance for accompanying family members (only for funding periods over 6 months)
• Monthly rent subsidy (only for funding periods over 6 months, subject to conditions)
• Allowance for language courses taken during the scholarship period
• Subsidy for additional costs resulting from disability or chronic illness (if not covered by other providers)
• Funding for an annual in-person networking meeting organised by the selected working group

Additional opportunity: Outstanding trilateral projects will be awarded a research prize at the closing forum in Germany.

Scholarship Eligibility

Academic timeline requirements:

• As a rule, applicants should not have graduated any longer than 6 years before the application deadline.
• If you have already started your doctorate, the start of the doctorate should not be longer than 3 years ago.

Residency in Germany: Your application cannot be considered if you have been resident in Germany for longer than 15 months at the application deadline.

Language skills: Very good English language skills are essential. However, DAAD does not require an official English test. The author of the invitation letter must confirm that your English language skills are sufficient to pursue the research project in Germany.

Working group participation: Applicants must choose which of the five future-focused working groups they wish to join and demonstrate how they will contribute.

Application Procedure

1. Register on the DAAD portal – Access the DAAD scholarship portal at https://portal.daad.de. Registration is required to complete the online application.
2. Identify a host supervisor/institution in Germany – Contact a potential academic host at a German university or research institution. Obtain a confirmation that includes details of the working language, confirmation of your English skills, and a guarantee of a workplace.
3. Prepare required documents – Gather all application materials in PDF format.
4. Request recommendation form – Generate the DAAD recommendation form in the portal as a writable PDF. Send it to a university teacher who can provide a supporting letter of recommendation.
5. Complete the online application – Fill out the application form in the DAAD portal. Upload all required documents under the appropriate sections. Submit the application online before June 15, 2026.
6. Selection process – Applications are reviewed by selection committees composed of professors and lecturers from German universities and research institutions. Selection criteria include academic qualifications, quality of research proposal, feasibility, and alignment with programme objectives.
7. Notification – Successful applicants are notified after the selection period (July–mid-August 2026). Funding begins in October 2026.

Required application documents (to be uploaded to DAAD portal):

• Full CV in tabular form (max. 3 pages)
• Letter of motivation (1–3 pages) – addressing personal/professional gains, which working group you wish to join, why, and how you will contribute
• Research proposal and description of previous research work (max. 10 pages total)
• Schedule of planned research work
• University degree certificate and transcripts of records (Master or equivalent; Bachelor if Master not yet completed)
• Declaration from scientific supervisor in Germany on safety-relevant and ethical aspects of the research project
• Confirmation from academic host or host institution in Germany (including working language, English skill confirmation, workplace guarantee)
• Proof of admission as a doctoral candidate at the home university
• Summary of final thesis (Master or equivalent, approx. 1 page)
• List of publications (max. 10 pages, if applicable)
• Proof of language proficiency (only if fieldwork/interviews in a language other than the working language)
• One recent letter of recommendation from a university teacher (on DAAD form)
• Optional: other supporting documents (employment certificates, proof of social commitment, etc.)

Documents that are not yet available can be submitted later — upload a free-form statement explaining when they will be available.

Official Website & Application Link

DAAD Scholarship Database – Weimar Triangle PhD Scholarship

DAAD Portal: https://portal.daad.de

Programme Email: [email protected]

DAAD Info-Center Phone: +49 228 882 180 (Mon–Thu 9am–12pm & 2pm–4pm, Fri 9am–2pm CET/CEST)

Technical Portal Hotline: +49 (0) 228 882-8888 (weekdays 9am–12pm and 2pm–4pm CET/CEST)

Technical Email: [email protected]