The Hans Böckler Foundation offers prestigious international PhD fellowships for outstanding doctoral students in Economics, Social Sciences, and Humanities who wish to conduct research in Germany. These fellowships are open to international students from all countries, with a special focus on applicants from the global south. The foundation supports research linked to the world of work, co-determination, and social engagement, reflecting the values of the Confederation of German Trade Unions (DGB).

There are two main scholarship programs:

• Dieter Schumacher International PhD Scholarship: For PhD students in Economics under the age of 30, this program enables a 12-24 month research stay at a German university or research institute. Research topics may include fiscal and monetary policy, labour markets, income distribution, financial markets, or other employee-relevant fields. The scholarship provides a monthly stipend of EUR 1550 and an annual travel allowance of EUR 1400.
• Ute and György Széll International PhD Scholarship: For PhD students in Social Sciences and Humanities (no age limit), this program supports a 6-month stay at a German university, research institute, foundation, or archive. The monthly stipend is EUR 1450, with an annual travel allowance of EUR 1300.

Applicants must be enrolled in a relevant PhD program and demonstrate political, cultural, and social engagement. Required application materials include a detailed project description, a research paper outlining the research to be conducted in Germany, an invitation letter from a German host supervisor, a recommendation letter from the home institution supervisor, a CV, diploma, and the completed application form. All documents should be submitted by post and optionally by email to the foundation. The application deadline is February 28, 2026.

This opportunity is ideal for doctoral students interested in research areas such as economics, fiscal and monetary policy, labour markets, income distribution, financial markets, and broader social sciences and humanities topics. The Hans Böckler Foundation provides a supportive environment for international scholars, with funding that covers living and travel expenses during the research stay in Germany.

For more information and to access the application form, visit the Hans Böckler Foundation website. For questions or to submit your application, contact [email protected].