Guide to a doctorate: Free information and opportunities for students!

Guide to a doctorate: Free information and opportunities for students!

The information event “Paths into Doctoral Studies” will take place in Giessen on June 18, 2025 from 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. This event is organized by the Giessen graduate centers GGS, GGK, GGL and GGN as well as other institutions. The event location is the auditorium in the JLU main building, Ludwigstraße 23, Gießen. The target group is students of all disciplines, those interested in doctorates and “predocs” from universities in Central Hesse, including the Technical University of Central Hesse (THM) and the Justus Liebig University of Giessen.

The event focuses on central aspects of the doctorate. In addition to topics such as choosing the doctoral topic and the supervisor, various types of financing and the offerings of the graduate centers are also discussed. An introductory lecture provides information about the key points, followed by reports from doctoral students. Participants can exchange ideas over a coffee break in the information lounge and attend specific sessions to support doctoral students. Participation is free of charge, you can register at www.uni-giessen.de/widp is however recommended.

Financing options for your doctorate

When it comes to financing your doctorate, the options are diverse and can vary greatly depending on your individual situation. Studies show that 57% of doctoral students finance themselves through employment as research assistants. These faculty positions not only provide job security, but also teaching experience and access to important resources. However, they also come with disadvantages, such as dependence on superiors and a high workload.

In addition to academic positions, third-party funding and scholarships may be considered. In order to secure financial support for the program, many doctoral students use scholarships, which are usually offered by party-affiliated foundations or the Federal Government's Study Foundation. These scholarships provide monthly amounts of EUR 1,450 and can be funded for up to 36 months, with additional supplements for doctoral candidates with children.

• Promotionsfinanzierung durch:
• Lehrstellen
• Drittmittelfinanzierungen
• Stipendien
• Kreditförderung

The gender gap in doctoral financing is particularly interesting, with higher proportions of female doctoral students being found in lower income groups. Additionally, engineering doctoral students typically earn more than their humanities counterparts, indicating different career prospects and market needs.

Another method of financing is industrial promotion, where companies offer financial support, but economically relevant topics are required. This option also allows employment in the private sector during the doctorate period, regardless of the doctorate itself. In order to get to know the various requirements and options better, we recommend taking part in the information event on June 18, 2025.

The Giessen Graduate Center for Natural Sciences and Psychology is available for further information, by phone on 0641 99-18300 or by email.