To facilitate the transition to the phase of doctoral studies after students have acquired the necessary qualification (Master's degree, diploma or similar), the a.r.t.e.s. Graduate School for the Humanities Cologne is offering eight “Predoc” scholarships to help candidates prepare for their doctoral studies within six months, starting October 1st.

The a.r.t.e.s. Graduate School serves the entire Faculty of Arts and Humanities and covers all qualification levels of academic training in the arts and humanities – from Master to postdoc. The purpose of the scholarships for the preparation of a doctoral dissertation project (“Predoc” scholarship) is to enable candidates to begin working towards a doctorate at the Faculty of Arts and Humanities of the University of Cologne immediately after obtaining their Master's degrees.

With its distinctive interdisciplinary emphasis, the a.r.t.e.s. Graduate School encourages young scholars to go beyond the boundaries of their disciplines. This dialogic, cross-disciplinary approach fosters an understanding of a wide range of knowledge processes in all their complexity. a.r.t.e.s. is guided by an understanding of the humanities that transcends the divide between the natural sciences and the social sciences. It focuses on the complexity of conceptual intersections among language, history, culture, mediality, anthropology, and ethics.

The scholarship holders are supported for one semester during which they are able to focus on developing a doctoral project. They are also welcome to attend the a.r.t.e.s. colloquia and a.r.t.e.s. graduate classes through which they will be able to learn about other doctoral projects at the a.r.t.e.s. Graduate School at an early stage.

 

Application procedure

The a.r.t.e.s. Graduate School addresses research-oriented graduates who have successfully completed their studies in the humanities with outstanding academic excellence and who wish to obtain a doctorate with a specific focus on interdisciplinary aspects at the University of Cologne.

Starting October 1st, 2024, the 8 scholarships for the preparation of a doctoral dissertation project will consist of a monthly payment of EUR 1.200, limited to six months.

The application deadline is May 3, 2024. Suitable candidates will be selected after the evaluation of the submitted documents in June/July.

 

Application requirements

In addition to an outstanding final degree, the a.r.t.e.s. Graduate School particularly seeks to promote young talented graduates who have successfully completed their studies as quickly as possible and who look for immediate funding opportunities after their final examination. The a.r.t.e.s. Graduate School welcomes applications from young graduates with a non-academic family background.

Please note that special circumstances such as parental and family leaves, obligatory state and militiary services, illnesses, disabilities and/or voluntary work can only be recognised if you provide evidence with the application documents.

 

Information about double/multiple applications

If you – successfully or not - apply for a “Predoc” scholarship in the summer semester, you are as well eligible to apply for a doctoral scholarship in the Integrated Track in the following winter semester.

 

Application via a.r.t.e.s. access

To apply for an a.r.t.e.s. “Predoc” scholarship, please register and log in at the a.r.t.e.s. access web portal.

After the login, please choose the application procedure “8 “Predoc” scholarships for the preparation of a doctoral project”and follow further instructions.

In addition to general information about yourself and your doctoral dissertation project, please upload the following documents via the web portal:

• Covering letter providing a statement of your motivation to apply
• Curriculum Vitae
• Copies of university diplomas and transcripts of records
  (Please note that we need a complete transcript of records along with your degree certificate and – in case of international degrees – an overview of your university's grading system (preferably with a conversion table) that is usually in appendix to your final diploma. In the case of a Master's degree, please also upload the certificates of any prior Bachelor's degree as well.)
  (Please note: Should your university diploma be not available even though you have already passed all of the required examinations, please submit a summary of all academic performances [e.g. Transcript of Records, and/or certification of the responsible examination office and/or supervisor, if applicable]. In any case, all examinations determining your final grade must have been passed in order to apply for the programme.)

• Letter of recommendation by a university professor
  (Please check the guidelines for the letter of recommendation.)
• Research proposal for the doctoral dissertation project
  (6,000–8,000 characters (incl. spaces) plus appendix, footnotes & bibliography)
• Work plan
  (for the six months in question)

Please hand in all application documents via the web portal by May 3, 2024. The university diploma may be handed in later by May 14, 2024 by email.

For all questions regarding the scholarships, the announcement or the application process, please see our FAQ.

Contact for further questions: artes-application(at)uni-koeln.de