Completion Grants for doctoral researchers
As part of its internal Completion Grant programme, the Catholic University of Eichstätt-Ingolstadt (KU) awards scholarships to outstanding doctoral candidates whose research projects are at an advanced stage. The funding is intended to enable recipients to devote their full attention to completing their doctoral thesis and to support them in their academic careers. The scholarship amounts to 1,500 euros per month and is awarded for a maximum of six months.
Guidelines on the use of funds for awarding scholarships to complete a doctoral thesis
Selection process
An interdisciplinary committee decides on the award. It comprises the Vice-President for Research and Early-Career Researchers, the University’s Women’s and Equality Officer, and at least three further members appointed by the University Management.
Timeline:
Closing date for applications: 6 December 2026
Selection committee meeting: January 2027
Notification of selected candidates: early February 2027
Drafting and finalisation of the scholarship agreement: by early March 2027
Start of funding: from 1 April 2027
Application documents
Please address your covering letter to the Vice-President for Research and submit the following documents via the official email address akademische-karrieren(at)ku.de by 6 December 2026 in a single PDF file:
- CV in table format
- Copies of all university degrees obtained to date
- Proof of acceptance as a PhD candidate at KU
- Description of the dissertation project and work already undertaken (3–4 pages)
- How the project fits into your overall career plan
- A detailed work plan, covering both content and timelines, for the funding period applied for, clearly demonstrating that the written dissertation can be completed within this period (1–2 pages)
- Statement of income
- Report on the research project from the dissertation supervisor
- List of publications, if applicable
- Birth certificate(s) of the child(ren), if applicable
Questions and answers about the Completion Grant programme
Who is eligible for funding?
(Kopie 1)
Applications are open to researchers who have been accepted as PhD students at KU and who demonstrate above-average academic achievement. The dissertation project must be at a sufficient stage of progress to ensure that the written dissertation can be completed within the funding period applied for.
How much is the grant?
(Kopie 2)
The scholarship amounts to 1,500 euros per month and is awarded for a maximum of six months. The funding ends at the latest at the end of the month in which the written dissertation is submitted to the doctoral committee. As a general rule, it is not possible to extend the scholarship or reapply for it. The guidelines provide for a separate arrangement for periods of statutory maternity leave.
Upon written application, childcare allowances may be granted for the duration of the scholarship, provided that the necessary funds are available. The allowance amounts to 200 euros per month for one child under the age of 18 and 100 euros for each additional child under the age of 18.
The scholarship does not constitute an employment or service relationship with the KU and does not include contributions to social security. Awards are made on the basis of merit and subject to the availability of funds. There is no legal entitlement to funding.
What rules apply during the funding period?
(Kopie 3)
During the funding period, the recipient’s entire working capacity must, in principle, be devoted to the completion of the doctoral thesis project. Paid employment of up to five hours per week is permitted. All forms of gainful employment, as well as any changes in circumstances relevant to the funding, must be reported without delay. No other scholarship may be received during the funding period; this does not apply to non-monetary support.
If periods of statutory maternity leave fall within the funding period, the duration of the funding will, as a rule, be extended by these periods upon written application.
What is the maximum duration of funding under the Completion Grant for doctoral researchers?
(Kopie 4)
The maximum duration of funding is six months. The funding ends, at the latest, at the end of the month in which the written dissertation is submitted to the doctoral committee. As a general rule, it is not possible to extend the funding or reapply. The guidelines provide for a separate arrangement for periods of statutory maternity leave.
By when must the final report be submitted?
(Kopie 5)
Within three months of the end of the funding period, a final report covering the entire funding period must be submitted to the Vice-President for Research and Early-Career Academics, together with proof that the doctoral thesis has been submitted. If the project has not been completed by the end of the funding period, the reasons for this and the intended next steps must be set out.
Contact
Dr.
Magdalena
Schönweitz
Research and Tenure-Track Officer
Room: eO-114
