Travel Grants

New travel grants are available for 2020 and we are looking forward for your application!

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 months before applying.

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.

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.
• The planned trip may not have begun until the decision about the travel grant has been made.
• 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.
• Late or incomplete applications will not be considered!
• Applications will only be accepted if the admission notice from an university, the PHGS supervision agreement and the required interim reports have been uploaded to the PHGS online account.

5. How to submit your application

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

We expect a personal counselling interview before application, as well as using our standard form (download here as editable PDF). Please contact Stefanie Tepass for an appointment before you apply for the travel grant.

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.Please Note: The daily allowance cannot be refunded by the graduate school!
• An overview of the contribution by your research group and your possibly private contribution.

For other sources of funding see the overview of the Hamburg Research Academy on international mobility.

Contact: Stefanie Tepass
PIER Helmholtz Graduate School
Lead Coordinator, equal opportunities, PhD scholarships
Personal counselling: Appointment only by prior arrangement.

Building 61, room 118a
Tel.:+49-40-8998-5502
E-Mail: stefanie.tepass@pier-hamburg.de