International Graduate School of Neuroscience

General Information

The International Graduate School of Neuroscience (IGSN) at the Ruhr-Universität Bochum is currently accepting applications for scholarships in its three-year PhD program starting in October 2025. Scholarship holders will receive a monthly stipend from the “Graduate School Scholarship Programme” (GSSP) of the DAAD.

Research projects specialize in the areas of molecular, developmental, systems, cognitive, clinical or computational neuroscience, and comprise intensive training in state-of-the-art methods, as well as supervision by internationally renowned neuroscientists. Research projects will be accompanied by high-level English-language tuition in the field of neuroscience. The 36-month program will culminate with a PhD in Neuroscience.

The scholarship comprises:

• a monthly scholarship of EUR 1,300
• a travel allowance based on your country of origin
• a combined health, accident and liability insurance
• a study and research allowance of EUR 460 per year
• a rent and/or family allowance if applicable

The scholarship is for up to three years, contingent upon the successful completion of each year.

The scholarship awardees will be selected in a multi-step process. On the basis of the documents sent with the application, the admission committee will review the applications and make a pre-selection of promising candidates.

These candidates will be asked to participate in a written subject test. The subject test will assess background knowledge in science and neuroscience. The university degree and field of qualification of the candidates will be considered when evaluating the results.

Based on the outcome of the test and the academic qualifications of the candidate the admission committee will invite candidates for interview and finally will make a decision for admission.

Applicants who have been selected for a scholarship by the IGSN must submit a completed application form with all supporting documents, via the DAAD portal to the DAAD. The final decision and the financial administration of the scholarships will be made by the DAAD.

IGSN-DAAD PhD Scholarship Application Timeline

Oct 2024:

Online application opens

Jan 31, 2025:

Application deadline for online application

Feb 9, 2025:

Deadline for submission of all required documents

Feb 11-28, 2025:

Written subject tests for selected candidates

Feb 28, 2025:

Deadline for submission of recommendation letters

Mar 1-15, 2025:

Interviews with selected candidates

Oct 1, 2025:

Start of the IGSN PhD program at the Ruhr-Universität Bochum

On the basis of successful application to the DAAD, participation in DAAD-funded German language courses is possible.