FAQ on a.r.t.e.s. EUmanities

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This page provides answers to frequently asked questions regarding a.r.t.e.s. EUmanities. If you have any further questions, please contact artes-EUmanities(at)uni-koeln.de.

For general questions relating to doctoral studies at the Faculty of Arts and Humanities of the University of Cologne, please see the FAQ of the Central Doctoral Office.

By when must I submit my application?

The application deadline for doctoral fellowships in the a.r.t.e.s. EUmanities-programme is October 31, 2018. Please upload all necessary information and documents in a.r.t.e.s. access on the closing day before 12 p.m. Please note that your university diploma may be handed in later by e-mail to artes-EUmanities(at)uni-koeln.de (at the latest by November 30, 2018).

How should I submit my application?

To apply for a fellowship in the a.r.t.e.s. EUmanities programme, please create an account with the web portal a.r.t.e.s. access. After login, please choose the application procedure “Doctoral fellowships within the a.r.t.e.s. EUmanities programme (starting April 2019)” and follow the instructions. Please note that unreadable scans will not be considered. Photos are often problematic in this regard due to perspectival distortion, which is why we recommend using a scanner.

What documents can I submit at a later date and what deadlines apply?

You can submit your university diploma by November 30, 2018 via e-mail to artes-EUmanities(at)uni-koeln.de. All other documents must be submitted by the application deadline of October 31, 2018.

Will the receipt of my application be confirmed?

Once we have received your application, you will automatically receive confirmation via a.r.t.e.s. access. After a first review of the application documents, we will send you an additional confirmation of completeness or a request for additional information.

Who is eligible for the a.r.t.e.s. EUmanities programme?

Candidates must meet the following criteria:
- ESR eligibility criteria (see below “Who is an an “Early Stage Researcher” (ESR)?”)
- MSCA mobility rule (see below “How does the MSCA mobility rule apply to a.r.t.e.s. EUmanities?”)
- a.r.t.e.s. Integrated Track eligibility criteria (see below “Who is eligible for the a.r.t.e.s. Integrated Track?”)

What is the salary of an a.r.t.e.s. EUmanities fellow?

Each ESR will be employed full-time by the University of Cologne for 36 months. The monthly net salary will be approximately EUR 1,900. (This includes a monthly gross allowance of EUR 3,073 before tax deductions and the employer’s contribution to social insurance plus a monthly paid mobility allowance and additional travel and, if applicable, a family allowance.) The employment conditions include social benefit payments such as health insurance, unemployment insurance, pension contributions. Additionally, travel expenses to and from the destination of the mobility phase will be covered. Please note that the a.r.t.e.s. Graduate School is not able to cover tuition fees.

Am I allowed to work while being an a.r.t.e.s. EUmanities fellow?

The a.r.t.e.s. EUmanities fellows are employed full-time by the University of Cologne. a.r.t.e.s. EUmanities fellows therefore need to request approval for secondary employment. Please note, however, that approval will be only granted in exceptional circumstances.

Who is an Early Stage Researcher (ESR)?

An Early Stage Researcher (ESR) is a researcher who is within the first four years (full-time equivalent research experience) of her/his research career on the Recruitment Day (= November 30, 2018, i.e. the starting date of the selection procedure) and has not been awarded a doctoral degree. The ESR-status is determined by the graduation date of the degree that qualifies the applicant for doctoral studies. It is therefore possible to apply for an a.r.t.e.s. EUmanities fellowship without previous experience as a researcher. Extensions of the four-year ESR eligibility threshold are possible in case of justified career breaks. Please note that we require proof of all applicable breaks.

How does the “MSCA Mobility Rule” apply to a.r.t.e.s. EUmanities?

- Candidates for the “a.r.t.e.s. EU” fellowship may not have lived in Germany for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately preceding the Recruitment Day (= November 30, 2018, i.e. the starting date of the selection procedure).
- Candidates for the “a.r.t.e.s. global” fellowship may not have lived in the country of their host organisation for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately preceding the Recruitment Day (= November 30, 2018, i.e. the starting date of the selection procedure).

What are possible host institutions for the mobility phase?

Applicants for an “a.r.t.e.s. EU” fellowship are required to nominate a host institution situated in an EU member state or in one of the Horizon 2020 associated countries for an “, while applicants for an “a.r.t.e.s. global” fellowship are required to nominate a host institution situated outside the EU. Please also note that the host institution has to be an academic institution able to provide adequate supervision for your project, i.e., a resident member of the institution must be eligible to supervise doctoral theses in your discipline. Typically, this is a postdoctoral scholar who has completed a habilitation (“second book”), but qualifications may vary depending on the country of the host institution.

Should I already contact the host institution for the mobility phase?

Yes, we strongly encourage applicants to get in contact with the desired host institutions and a potential supervisor as early as possible in order to enquire whether a member of staff/the faculty is generally interested in the project and has the academic expertise and supervisory experience to act as a secondary supervisor. Applicants are, however, not required to come to a formal agreement with the host institution when applying for an a.r.t.e.s. EUmanities fellowship. Once you have been accepted as an a.r.t.e.s. EUmanities-fellow, the a.r.t.e.s. team will seek to establish a co-tutelage agreement with your host institution.

Which countries belong to the group of Associated Countries in the scope of a.r.t.e.s. EUmanities?

The association of countries is governed by Article 7 of the Horizon 2020 Regulations. Associated countries for Horizon 2020 include: Albania, Armenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Faroe Islands, Georgia, Iceland, Israel, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Moldova, Montenegro, Norway, Serbia, Switzerland, Tunisia, Turkey, Ukraine.

Am I eligible to apply for the programme if I am not resident in the EU?

The funding line “a.r.t.e.s. global” (a mobility phase outside of Europe) can only be chosen by nationals or long-term residents of an EU Member State or a H2020 associated country. A ‘long-term resident’ has conducted full-time research and/or study activity in an EU Member State or H2020 associated country for five or more consecutive years (without breaks in research). Please note that these restrictions do not apply to the funding line “a.r.t.e.s. EU”.

Who is eligible for the a.r.t.e.s. Integrated Track?

Candidates are eligible for the Integrated Track if they earned:
1. a Master’s degree or a comparable university degree in a thematically relevant research field of the Faculty (see below “In which disciplines can a doctorate at the Faculty of Arts and Humanities of the University of Cologne be obtained?”).
2. an average grade of at least 2.0 (according to the German grading system) in their Master’s degree or the comparable university degree.

How do I complete the MSCA application form?

Please download the MSCA application form to your PC before filling it out, as filling it out in the browser frequently causes problems. To minimise the chance of complications, we advise you to fill out the form using the latest version of the official Adobe Acrobat Reader. Please remember to save your entries and upload the document to a.r.t.e.s. access. A signature is not needed.

What is the “multilingual research concept”?

The “multilingual research concept” is a section in the MSCA application form where you are required to provide a statement attesting to the language and personal skills that will enable you to cope with the language demands of the destination(s) of the mobility phase. In your statement, please refer to the language requirements of the research project as well as to the language requirements of the suggested host institution.

What is the “mobility concept”?

The “mobility concept” is a statement in the MSCA application form that is concerned with the institution nominated for the mobility phase. In your statement, please address questions such as: Which host institution do you choose and why? Why is the research stay necessary and promising for the successful completion of your dissertation project? Have you already been in contact with the host institution? Please note that the suggested host institution does not necessarily have to be a part of the already established a.r.t.e.s. EUmanities partner network. The a.r.t.e.s. Graduate School is looking forward to welcoming new partners to its network.

What is the “interdisciplinary approach”?

The “interdisciplinary approach” is a statement in the MSCA application form where you are required to comment on the interdisciplinary aspects of your project and to suggest one of interdisciplinary graduate classes that you would like to attend as an a.r.t.e.s. EUmanities fellow.

What is the “ethical issues sheet”?

The “ethical issues sheet” is a section in the MSCA application form where you are required to provide a statement on how you will ensure that your project meets ethical standards and which safety measures you will take during the mobility phase. Please carefully check which ethical issues listed in the form are relevant to your own research approach and briefly explain which kind of strategy or support is required to cope with such issues.

What is a higher education entrance qualification?

The higher education entrance qualification – sometimes also referred to as “school leaving certificate” or “higher education entrance qualification” – entitles the recipient to enrol at a university. Common forms include “Abitur”, “A-levels”, “baccalauréat” etc.

What is the “research proposal for the doctoral dissertation project”?

The research proposal is one of the most important parts of your application and offers a concise overview of your doctoral project. It should elaborate aspects such as your research question, thesis, methods and the relevance of your project for your field of research. You should also attach a preliminary bibliography on which you plan to base your research. In terms of formal requirements, the research proposal has to be a cohesive text of 7,000–12,000 characters, including spaces (plus footnotes, appendix & bibliography).

What language should the research proposal for the doctoral dissertation project be written in?

Please submit your research proposal in English.

What is the “expert report on the doctoral dissertation project” and who can write it?

The expert report on the doctoral dissertation project relates directly to the doctoral project on which your application to a.r.t.e.s. is based. The report does not have to be prepared by your prospective dissertation supervisor or by a member of the Faculty of Arts and Humanities of the University of Cologne who is entitled to confer doctorates. It may also be prepared by a university lecturer working at another German or at an international university. There are no formal specifications for the report but we recommend to consult our guideline for the preparation of the expert report. The report may be sent directly by email to artes-EUmanities(at)uni-koeln.de – if so, please make a reference to this in your letter of motivation or the respective comments field in a.r.t.e.s. access.

What level of proficiency in German is required to apply?

There are no formal requirements to demonstrate your proficiency in German. However, please bear in mind that German is the primary language spoken at a.r.t.e.s. A command of German will therefore help you in your interactions and exchanges with your colleagues from other disciplines. You may also provide a statement concerning your knowledge of German in your letter of motivation.

How can I tell if my doctoral dissertation project conforms to the a.r.t.e.s. model?

The a.r.t.e.s. Graduate School is the graduate school of the Faculty of Arts and Humanities and its model thus covers the full range of subjects studied in the related disciplines. If you are uncertain if your doctoral project is suitable for a.r.t.e.s., we would recommend that you take a look at the curriculum of the interdisciplinary graduate classes and at current Integrated Track doctoral projects. You are also welcome to explain why you believe your project meets the requirements of the a.r.t.e.s. Graduate School in the letter of motivation.

Do I need to already have a supervisor at the University of Cologne in order to apply for the a.r.t.e.s. EUmanities programme?

No, you do not. You are, however, welcome to contact potential supervisors before or after submitting your application. If you already have secured a potential supervisor’s confirmation of supervision at the University of Cologne, please indicate the supervisor’s name in the appropriate text box on a.r.t.e.s. access. Please consider that the primary supervisor must be a member of the Faculty of Arts and Humanities of the University of Cologne and that a joint supervision agreement with an international university (co-tutelage) is part of the programme. Special regulations apply to doctorates under co-tutelage supervision.

I want to obtain a doctorate in a discipline that is not included in the list of disciplines. Can I apply?

The Faculty of Arts and Humanities of the University of Cologne only offers doctoral degrees in the listed disciplines. A list of all disciplines which are accepted and with which one can register at the Faculty of Arts and Humanities of the University of Cologne can be found in the Doctoral Regulations of June 11, 2015 (Appendix 1) and the Regulation on Modifying the Doctoral Regulations of June 16, 2016. If you are uncertain about whether or not your project fits any of these fields, please contact a lecturer of the University of Cologne in your discipline for clarification (list of the institutes at the Faculty of Arts and Humanities). Under certain circumstances and if adequate supervision is available at the Faculty of Arts and Humanities, it may be possible to select a discipline that is not identical with the field in which you obtained your university degree.

The Faculty of Arts and Humanities only offers doctoral degrees in the listed disciplines:

African Studies (Afrikanistik); Ancient History (Alte Geschichte); Anglo-American History (Anglo-Amerikanische Geschichte); Art History (Kunstgeschichte); Byzantine Studies (Byzantinistik); Catholic Theology (Katholische Theologie); Chinese Studies (Sinologie/China-Studien); Classical Archaeology or Archaeology of the Roman Provinces (Klassische Archäologie oder Archäologie der römischen Provinzen); Didactics of History (Didaktik der Geschichte); Digital Humanities; Dutch Studies (Niederlandistik); Eastern European History (Osteuropäische Geschichte); Egyptology (Ägyptologie); English Philology (Englische Philologie); Finnish Studies (Fennistik); General Linguistics (Allgemeine Sprachwissenschaft); Geography (Geographie); German Philology (Deutsche Philologie); Greek Philology (Griechische Philologie); Historical and Comparative Linguistics (Historisch-vergleichende Sprachwissenschaft); Iberian and Latin American History (Iberische und Lateinamerikanische Geschichte); Indology and Tamil Studies (Indologie und Tamilistik); Information Processing (Informationsverarbeitung); Japanese Studies (Japanologie); Jewish Studies (Judaistik); Latin Philology (Lateinische Philologie); Linguistics (Linguistik); Medieval History (Mittelalterliche Geschichte); Medieval Latin Philology (Mittellateinische Philologie); Modern and Recent History (Neuere und Neueste Geschichte); Musicology (Musikwissenschaft); North American Studies; Oriental Philology: study focus Islamic Studies or Indonesian Philology (Orientalische Philologie: Schwerpunkt Islamwissenschaft oder Indonesische Philologie); Philosophy (Philosophie); Phonetics (Phonetik); Pre- and Early History (Ur- und Frühgeschichte); Protestant Theology (Evangelische Theologie); Regional Studies China (Regionalstudien China); Regional Studies Eastern and Central Europe: study focus Russia or Poland (Regionalstudien Ost- und Mitteleuropa: Schwerpunkt Russland oder Polen); Regional Studies Latin America (Regionalstudien Lateinamerika); Romance Philology (Romanische Philologie); Scandinavian Studies (Skandinavistik); Slavonic Studies (Slavistik); Social and Cultural Anthropology (Ethnologie); Theatre and Media Studies (Theater- und Medienwissenschaft)

* The subject Geography can only be selected for doctoral studies if a supervisor is available to whom the Faculty of Arts and Humanities has conferred the right to confer doctorates in accordance with Sect. 8 par. 1 sent. 3.

Do I need to be resident in Cologne?

Yes, during the time of the fellowship (except for the duration of the mandatory mobility phase) you are required to live and work in Cologne.

Can tuition fees be covered in case the proposed university of the mobility phase charges any?

No, in general the a.r.t.e.s. Graduate School will not be able to cover tuition fees that may be charged by the proposed university of the mobility phase. Please note that no tuition fees are charged by the University of Cologne. However, doctoral students need to enrol and have to pay the so-called “Semesterbeitrag” (Semester fee: currently around 270 EUR per semester).

Can I apply for financial support to help me finish my current doctoral dissertation project?

No, the doctoral fellowships at a.r.t.e.s. are designed exclusively for doctoral candidates who start their doctoral project at a.r.t.e.s. and will finish it within three years. Thus, a.r.t.e.s. does not provide financial support to enable applicants to finish their current doctoral projects.

May I simultaneously apply for more than one funding programme?

It is not possible to apply simultaneously for a fellowship in the a.r.t.e.s. EUmanities programme and an a.r.t.e.s. Doctoral Scholarship in the winter semester 2018/19.

If you have – successfully or not – applied for a scholarship for the preparation of a doctoral dissertation project in the summer semester 2018, you are eligible to apply for a doctoral scholarship in the Integrated Track or for a fellowship in the a.r.t.e.s. EUmanities programme in the winter semester 2018/19. In this case, you will have to choose between the two funding programmes as it is not possible to apply for both of them simultaneously.

When applying for an a.r.t.e.s. Doctoral Scholarship or for a fellowship in the a.r.t.e.s. EUmanities programme in the winter semester 2018/19, you may not apply for a scholarship for the preparation of a doctoral dissertation project in summer semester 2019.

What should I keep in mind when applying for a visa?

To ensure a smooth start of the programme in the case that you are accepted as an a.r.t.e.s. EUmanities fellow, we recommend that applicants from outside of Europe get in touch with the German consulate or embassy in their country of residence early on to determine the type of visa they qualify for as an early stage researcher in Germany (e.g. work or student visa) and to check the visa requirements for Germany. It is, for example, important to find out whether you have to conclude your visa application before entering Germany and to take into account the average processing times for visa applications. It may even be advisable to book an appointment with the consulate or embassy pre-emptively. According to our experiences, there are significant waiting periods in some countries.

a.r.t.e.s. EUmanities has received funding from the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie grant agreement No 713600.