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Organizing and Financing a PhD Project in Germany

Referent: Dr. Wolfgang Adamczak
Teilnehmerzahl: 14

The idea has been in process for a while, but now you are decided to do a doctorate. You have also found a research topic that is worth pursuing it with lots of efforts, investing time and money. Though, an important question remains: Am I able to operationalize my ideas in a way that makes them accomplishable by means of an adequate work and time planning? Is the supervision of a professor one that helps the succeeding of the project? Does my time and conflict management allow me to concentrate on my thesis alongside all the other interesting and necessary assignments?

Furthermore, formal questions need to be answered before starting the PhD project. Am I authorized to do a doctorate in the field I chose? Do I have to apply beforehand? Is it necessary to register as a PhD candidate? What fees will be due?

But the most important question is how to finance the undertaking which will most probably require several years of work. In the field of humanities and social sciences, one usually thinks of scholarships, but they only offer little to make a living. Then how to finance additional costs like equipment, specific software, consumable material, copying and travelling expenses, printing costs, etc.?

To this topic, constitutional information will be provided to junior researchers, and also those who haven't acquired their master's degree yet are welcome. We would be glad to have professors with us as well!