The yDiv Graduate School is looking for highly-motivated, international candidates from the global south to apply for the DAAD-GSSP Scholarships 2025 funded by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD).

The research area is limited to the field society and nature. Scholarship holders will carry out their own doctoral research project closely related to ongoing research in the working group of their supervisor (see section Additional information / PhD project PIs) and the positions are located in Leipzig.

Two scholarships will be available, each with a funding period of up to four years. The positions are expected to start on the 1st of each month between February and October 2026.

The application deadline is 30 September 2025.

If you have any questions about the scholarships or the application process please do not hesitate to contact the yDiv graduate school team (see contacts below).

Scholarships Include:

• EUR 1,400 per month
• A country-dependent travel allowance
• Combined health, accident and liability insurance
• A study and research allowance

Additionally, applicants can apply for a one-time final grant of up to six months, which will commence after the regular funding period ends.

Stays outside Germany within the framework of the DAAD scholarship can only be funded if they are integral parts of the research proposal. No more than 25% of the total funding period can be approved as stays abroad, and a foreign phase cannot take place directly at the beginning of the funding. If possible, the planned phases abroad should be discussed with the nominees during the selection process of the doctoral programs.

All scholarship holders will join the Graduate School yDiv at the German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) and will have access to iDiv resources and services.

Timeline

• 30 September 2025 (6:00 pm CET): yDiv application deadline
• October 2025: Candidate selection and nomination by PhD Project PIs and yDiv
• November 2025: Nominees submit their application documents to the DAAD
• February – October 2026: Scholarship start date

How to apply

• Submit your application via our application portal by 30 September 2025 (6:00 pm CET). Applications sent via email or regular mail will not be accepted.
• Selected candidates will be invited to online interviews in October.

Please contact Beate Horn, with any questions about the application portal.

Required Application Documents

• Research proposal (max. 2-3 pages, see Additional Information – Research Proposal)
• Schedule of planned research work, including details of any potential field studies or stays outside Germany
• Selection of a supervisor you’d like to work with (see Additional Information – PhD Project PIs)
• Recommendation letter from a university professor at your home university (please use the DAAD template)
• Curriculum vitae (CV)
• Letter of motivation (max. 2 pages), explaining your reasons for applying for the GSSP scholarship
• Bachelor’s and Master’s degree certificates, transcripts of records with grades, and an explanation of the home university’s grading system
• Proof of English language skills (e.g., TOEFL, IELTS – optional)
• Documents certifying completed practical work (e.g., internships – optional)
• List of publications (optional)

DAAD Nomination Process

• Nominated applicants must submit their application documents and confirmation of nomination to the DAAD within two weeks of receiving a positive response from yDiv.
• The application must include the DAAD form (in German or English) and the required documents.
• Inform the Graduate School yDiv once you have completed your application via the DAAD portal.
• Wait for the final admission decision from the DAAD, which may take up to three months.