Summary
The Hans Böckler Foundation offers fully funded International PhD Scholarships for exceptional doctoral candidates from various backgrounds. These scholarships provide research stays in Germany, fostering international academic collaboration focused on labor, economy, and society.
- 🎓 Hans Böckler Foundation International PhD Scholarships
Funded research stays in Germany for outstanding doctoral candidates worldwide, supporting research on labour, economy, and society. - 🌍 Fully Funded Programs
Offers two major scholarship tracks allowing doctoral research stays at German universities, archives, or research institutes. - 🏢 About the Foundation
Supports research linked to work and social development, encouraging international cooperation and socially engaged research. - 📋 Dieter Schumacher International PhD Scholarship (Economics)
Supports economics doctoral candidates for 12-24 months, with a stipend of EUR 1550/month and a EUR 1400 annual travel allowance. Focus areas include fiscal policy, labour markets, and worker-oriented economic research. - 📑 Key Requirements
Doctoral research proposal, research paper, invitation letter, supervisor recommendations, CV, and academic certificates. - 📜 Ute and György Széll International PhD Scholarship (Social Sciences & Humanities)
Supports doctoral students in social sciences for a 6-month research stay in Germany. Offers a EUR 1750/month stipend and EUR 1300 travel allowance. - 📝 Key Requirements
Research plan, methodology paper, invitation letter, supervisor assessment, CV, and academic certificates. - 🏆 Selection Process
Evaluated based on academic excellence, research quality, feasibility, and alignment with the foundation’s values. - 📅 Application Deadlines
February 28, 2026, and July 30, 2026. - 🌐 More Information
Learn more about the scholarships and discover other opportunities through the Hans Böckler Foundation website.
Designation
International PhD Scholarships
| Scholarship Track | Duration | Monthly Stipend | Annual Travel Allowance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dieter Schumacher International PhD Scholarship (Economics) | 12-24 months | EUR 1550 | EUR 1400 |
| Ute and György Széll International PhD Scholarship (Social Sciences & Humanities) | 6 months | EUR 1750 | EUR 1300 |
Research Area
- Dieter Schumacher Scholarship: Economics, fiscal and monetary policy, labor markets, income distribution, financial markets, worker-oriented economic research.
- Ute and György Széll Scholarship: Social sciences and humanities.
Location
Germany
Eligibility/Qualification
- Enrollment in a PhD program.
- Doctoral research proposal (3 pages).
- Research methodology paper (3 pages).
- Invitation letter from a German PhD supervisor.
- Recommendation letter from the home supervisor.
- CV and academic certificates.
Description
The Hans Böckler Foundation aims to support socially engaged researchers who are interested in exploring topics related to labor, economic development, and societal challenges. The scholarship is geared towards those who demonstrate both academic excellence and a commitment to social, political, or cultural engagement, aligning with the foundation’s values.
How to Apply
- Complete the application form.
- Submit the application form and all required documents via postal mail to the Hans Böckler Foundation.
- Send a signed PDF version and accompanying documents via email to: bewerbung@boeckler.de. It is recommended to use encrypted documents for data protection.
Last Date for Application
- February 28, 2026
- July 30, 2026
This scholarship is a remarkable opportunity for doctoral candidates looking to further their research while contributing to important societal discussions in Germany.



