GermanyDIW Berlin Graduate Center PhD Scholarship 2027 provides funded doctoral training in economics: a five-year program with a first-year stipend (1,650 Euro/month) and subsequent research-phase funding normally through employment at DIW Berlin research departments. The application period for the next intake opens 15 October 2026 and the deadline is 15 January 2027.
The program is offered by the DIW Berlin Graduate Center in close cooperation with the Berlin School of Economics. The Graduate Center coordinates coursework and research placements at DIW Berlin research departments and recommends enrollment at a Berlin university for matriculation and access to student services.
DIW Berlin Graduate Center PhD Scholarship Benefits
- There are no tuition fees.
- PhD students will receive funding for the expected length of the program – five years.
- For the course phase (Year 1), a stipend of 1,650 Euro per month is provided; funding during the research phase (Year 2-5) is normally provided through employment at one of the DIW Berlin’s research departments (TVöD, EG 13, 75%).
- Funding for the research phase is conditional on having fulfilled the set performance criteria, communicated at the start of the program.
- Enrollment at one of Berlin’s universities is recommended; universities charge a semester fee of approximately 380 Euro per semester.
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DIW Berlin Graduate Center PhD Scholarship Eligibility Criteria
- Applicants must hold a master’s degree or diploma in Economics or Business Studies in order to apply for the economic training program.
- An application during the course of studies is possible, provided that the degree is successfully completed before the program starts.
- Degrees from other related fields (such as civil engineering, statistics or quantitative social sciences) may also fulfill requirements if the applicant has a sufficient background in Economics.
- Applicants whose native language is not English must demonstrate English language proficiency unless they hold a degree from a university in an English-speaking country or can document at least one year of studies in an English-speaking degree program.
- Knowledge of German is not required for a successful application, but students are encouraged to learn German during the program.
How to Apply for DIW Berlin Graduate Center PhD Scholarship
- Applications may only be sent during the application period via our application portal; applications received by e-mail outside this application period will not be considered.
- Start of the next application period (intake 2027): 15 October 2026; Deadline for applications: 15 January 2027, 23:59 CET.
- Use the Application Portal provided on the DIW Graduate Center page to submit your application (link available during the application period).
- Upload required documents as part of the online application: motivation letter (max. 2 pages), detailed CV (without photograph), two academic letters of recommendation (to be submitted directly by senior academics), copies of academic transcripts and certificates, completed application form, IELTS or TOEFL scores (if applicable), GRE General Test score report (if applicable).
- Reference providers are requested to upload their letters in the Recommendation letter portal for senior academic staff linked on the website.
Don’t miss this deadline
Applications close on Friday, 15 January 2027. We’ll email you 7, 3 and 1 days before.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are the most frequently asked questions about the DIW Berlin Graduate Center PhD Scholarship. These answers cover eligibility, required documents, funding, deadlines, application portals, and contact points to help applicants prepare successful submissions.
When does the application period start and what is the deadline?
The official application period for the next intake (intake 2027) opens on 15 October 2026. The deadline for applications is 15 January 2027, 23:59 CET. Applications submitted by e-mail outside the application period will not be considered; use the online application portal during the period.
Which documents must I upload with my online application?
You must upload a motivation letter (max. 2 pages), a detailed CV (without photograph), two academic letters of recommendation (submitted directly by referees), copies of academic transcripts and certificates, a completed application form, and, if applicable, IELTS/TOEFL scores and GRE General Test score report. The application is to be completed in English.
What are the academic eligibility requirements?
Applicants should hold a Master’s degree or diploma in Economics or Business Studies and have performed exceptionally well. Applicants from related fields such as industrial engineering, statistics, or quantitative social sciences may qualify if they have sufficient background in Economics. Applications during studies are possible if the degree is completed before the program starts.
Is English proficiency required?
Applicants whose native language is not English must demonstrate English language proficiency unless they hold a degree from an English-speaking university or can document at least one year of studies in an English-speaking degree program. High TOEFL or IELTS scores are considered sufficient evidence of English proficiency.
How is the PhD program funded?
There are no tuition fees. PhD students receive funding for the expected five-year length of the program. Year 1 is funded by a stipend of 1,650 Euro per month. Years 2–5 are normally funded through employment at a DIW Berlin research department (TVöD, EG 13, 75%), conditional on meeting performance criteria.
Do I need to know German to be admitted?
Knowledge of German is not required for a successful application. Applicants are encouraged to learn and improve German during the program, but admission and application documents are handled in English and the program does not require German proficiency for entry.
Where and how do referees submit recommendation letters?
Reference providers (senior academics) are requested to submit their letters directly via the Recommendation letter portal for senior academic staff linked on the DIW site. Two academic letters of recommendation are required and should be uploaded as PDFs by the referees.
What happens after I complete the program?
Graduates obtain a PhD from one of Berlin’s universities and are equipped with strong methodological skills, empirical data experience, and institutional knowledge. Graduates are prepared to publish in international journals and pursue careers in academia, international organizations, government, or large-scale research projects.
How is the program structured?
The DIW Graduate Center offers a five-year program combining a high-level coursework curriculum and on-the-job training in DIW Berlin’s research departments. After the coursework and research training, students obtain a PhD from one of Berlin’s universities. Detailed program structure is provided on the Graduate Center program page.
Who can I contact with questions about the application or technical issues?
For content-related inquiries contact gradcenter@diw.de. For technical questions regarding the online application contact recruiting@diw.de. Applicants are advised to consult the FAQ section on the website before contacting the team, as prior contact does not increase admission chances.
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