From October 2026 to September 2030, international students can apply for fully financed PhD scholarships through the Berlin Graduate School of Ancient Studies’ (BerGSAS) DAAD Graduate School Scholarship Program (GSSP). The program, which is hosted by two prestigious German universities, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin and Freie Universität Berlin, is intended to assist outstanding early-career researchers in disciplines like archaeology, ancient studies, philology, theology, and others.
In addition to a €1,300 monthly stipend, the fellowship offers travel reimbursement to Germany, health, accident, and liability insurance, and money for research supplies. There might also be more assistance available for accommodation, family members, and pre-program German language classes. Throughout the program, fellows have access to a wealth of academic resources, a thriving research community, and the chance to spend brief periods of time conducting research overseas.
Candidates should have a master’s degree issued after March 1, 2020, and they must be non-German nationals without a doctorate. They can’t have been in Germany continuously prior to December 1, 2024. The application procedure entails being nominated for the DAAD fellowship after being accepted into one of BerGSAS’s structured PhD programs, such as Ancient Languages and Texts (ALT) or Ancient Objects and Visual Studies.
Applications must be submitted by October 15, 2025, and the final selection and interviews will take place in the months that follow. In October 2026, the chosen applicants will start their doctorate studies in Berlin. This program is extremely competitive and provides a unique chance for students to develop their knowledge of ancient studies in a top-tier academic setting.
Host Country: Germany
University: Berlin Graduate School of Ancient Studies (BerGSAS)
Opportunity Type: PhD
Eligibility Country: International Students
Financial Coverage: Fully Funded
Eligibility Criteria:
- must not be a citizen of Germany.
- must possess a master’s degree granted after March 1, 2020, or be on the verge of earning one.
- must not have resided in Germany on a continuous basis prior to December 1, 2024.
- shouldn’t have obtained a PhD already.
- Proficiency in English is necessary (minimum B2 level; C1 level for Freie Universität Berlin).
Benefits:
- A living expense payment of €1,300 per month.
- Travel reimbursement for moving to Germany.
- liability, health, and accident insurance coverage.
- financing for research and study projects.
- €1,000 a year for resources and study materials.
- Extra allowances for home and family (where applicable).
- assistance with pre-sessional German language instruction.
- Up to 25% of the fellowship period may be spent on international research mobility.
Deadline: 30 August 2026
