Travel Grants

New travel grants are available for 2019 and we are looking forward for your application! Funding for DPG conferences can be requested anytime - deadlines apply for international travel only.

Curious? Read the travel reports of some of our PhD students, who have been on research trips all over the world with funding from our travel grants fund.

PIER travel grants can be used for research stays, summer/winter schools, workshops, conferences etc. abroad or in Germany (as well Hamburg).

1. Who can apply?

Full members of the PIER Helmholtz Graduate School, who started their PhD at least 6 month ago.

2. Professional requirements

a.) Doctoral studies in one of the PIER research or competence fields

b.) The stay abroad is in direct professional connection with the doctoral studies and is approved by the supervisor (team) in Hamburg.

c.) Good knowledge of English

3. Amount of funding

Stays abroad may be supported to the amount of a maximum of € 1,500. All costs exceeding the maximum amount must be borne e.g. privately or by the contribution of the working group. In justified individual cases, a higher funding is possible.

Please note: insurance for travel abroad is not included! All PhD students travelling with a PHGS travel grant have to ensure that the complete trip is covered by a health insurance.

4. Application procedure

• Applications can be submitted four times a year in March, June, September and December.
• The respective application deadlines are 31.03./30.06./30.09./31.12.
• Decisions will be announced within one month after the respective deadline.
• If the number of applications exceeds the available funds, only the most plausible applications of our full members will be funded.
• The executive committee of the PIER Helmholtz Graduate School decides on the funding.

5. How to submit your application

Please send your application in English or German by e-mail to: jennifer.vix@pier-hamburg.de

We recommend a personal counselling interview before application, as well as using our standard form (download here as editable PDF).

Required documents:

a.) Personal statement with the following information:

• Status of doctoral studies
• Brief description of the research project abroad
• Professional expectations and benefits of the stay abroad for the research activity within the doctoral studies

b.) For stays of more than three weeks: Brief invitation letter of the partner institution

c.) Written endorsement of the supervisor (team) in Hamburg

d.) Budget plan for the stay: Travel expenses and possible costs for the attendance at summer schools, workshops or conferences. The daily allowance cannot be refunded by the graduate school! Please include an overview of the contribution by your research team and your private contribution.

Contact: Jennifer Vix
PIER Helmholtz Graduate School
Coordinator for international affairs, recruitment, marketing
Personal counselling: Thursday, 10-12 A.M.

Building 61, room 117a
Tel.:+49-40-8998-5503
E-Mail: jennifer.vix@pier-hamburg.de