FAQ starter grant

You can apply if you are planning to do a doctorate at the University of Passau and

• you are in the final phase of your studies (graduation by 30. September 2022 at the latest), which you are expected to complete with above-average results, or
• you have completed your studies with above-average results no earlier than 30. April 2021.

If you would like to do a doctorate at the Faculty of Law, the overall examination grade of the First Law Examination must be available at the time of application.

Please note that you must have completed a degree programme with a grade that qualifies you for a doctorate. The following information on final grades can serve as a first orientation for this. Additional acceptance requirements may be specified in the subject-specific doctoral degree regulation. Only the information in the currently valid version of the corresponding doctoral degree regulation is binding!

Yes. You can apply as long as you intend to do your doctorate at the University of Passau and you have found a person who is willing to supervise your doctorate and support your application. Usually doctorates are supervised by professors.

In general, it is possible to apply if you have gained your degree no longer than ten months before the application deadline or if you can provide reasons for exceeding this deadline. You should furthermore describe the current status of your doctoral project in the application form.

You will receive a contract as a graduate assistant at the University of Passau for 80 hours per month. The remuneration is 11.50 euros per hour (12.50 euros from 1 January 2022).

The earliest possible start date is 1 May 2022, the latest possible start date is 1 October 2022. In principle, the start of funding depends on your study progress. Funding can begin when you have completed all of your examinations, even if you have not yet received all of your grades. A later start is possible in justified exceptional cases, but no later than twelve months after graduation.

The funding period is six months.

Yes, this is possible. The funding can be extended by a maximum of three months to bridge the time until funding from a doctoral funding organisation or another external funding provider begins. To apply for an extension, proof of an application to a doctoral funding organisation or an external third-party funder must be submitted to the Graduate Centre office no later than six weeks before the funding expires. However, there is no entitlement to an extension.

Please enclose the transcripts of all degree programmes you have completed, for Bachelor's/Master's degree programmes, for example, also the Bachelor's transcript.

The transcripts must contain an overview of grades as well as information on the topic and grading of the final thesis. If applicable, you should also submit a Diploma Supplement or Transcript of Records showing the grades relevant for the degree.

Please submit a current Transcript of Records listing your examination achievements to date.

Please contact us at least two weeks before the application deadline. Tell us which documents you are still missing, when you requested them and what the current processing status is. We will then get back to you and let you know whether an application is still possible and, if so, by when you can submit additional documents. All documents must be submitted at the very latest one week before the selection decision.

In principle, this is possible. However, as with any other application, you should choose the attachments carefully and only include supporting documents that have a concrete connection to your application.

The decision is made according to the selection criteria:

• Scientific qualification and performance of the applicant, proven in particular by outstanding academic achievements, prizes or other awards for previous achievements during studies.
• Scientific quality and comprehensibility of the doctoral project.
• Comprehensibility of the personal motivation for the doctorate and the contribution to further career planning.

The Graduate Centre’s collegial executive committee decides on the awarding of the starter grant. The committee is composed of professors and early career researchers from all four faculties.

Yes, this is possible.

After the application deadline, we forward all complete and formally admissible applications to the decision-making committee. After the selection of the applicants by this committee, you will receive an acceptance or rejection letter from the Graduate Centre's office. We usually try to inform you of this decision within one month after the application deadline.

No, unfortunately this is not the case. Funding is not possible if you are employed at the University of Passau during the planned funding period. It is irrelevant whether you are currently or in the funding period employed as a student assistant, graduate assistant, research assistant or in the non-academic area.

In addition to financial support, you can also take advantage of the other services offered by the Graduate Centre, such as counselling (entry and financing) and a specific range of events for starting your doctorate.