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With the Pre-Doc Award, Leipzig University supports graduates during their doctoral preparation on the one hand and postdocs in their ability to supervise (future) doctoral researchers on the other. The aim is to mature the doctoral project together during the funding phase of the Pre-Doc Award and to acquire funding for it. The call for applications for the next cohort runs until 31 May 2025.

The Pre-Doc Award to support graduates and postdocs preparing for their doctorate is entering a new round. Graduates can concentrate on obtaining funding for their doctorate for a year with financial security. You will hone your doctoral project and build professional or social synergies for a successful doctorate through contact with other Pre-Doc Awardees.

Applications are possible from now until 31 May 2025.

Your support as a pre-doc:

  • A contract as a graduate assistant for 19 hours per week for 12 months
  • Potential financial support for travel, conferences and self-organised workshops related to the Pre-Doc Award funding phase
  • Workshops and networking

Generally, support begins on 1 October and ends twelve months later. Your goals for the year of funding are to develop the doctoral project further with the help of your postdoc tandem partner and to secure a doctoral scholarship or supporting the postdoc in their application for external funding in order to co-finance your doctoral position.

Your support as a postdoc:

  • A preferred candidate with one year’s funding and the prospect of joining your own working group in the long term
  • The opportunity to practice supervising and guiding prospective doctoral researchers
  • Workshops and networking

By participating in the programme, you will strengthen the skills all successful postdocs need in the world of academia, for example the acquisition of external funding, supporting and supervising doctoral candidates, attracting early career researchers with a focus similar to your own and establishing a network within and outside the university.

All Information on the Pre-Doc Award and the application