BRANDENBURG UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY (BTU) COTTBUS-SENFTENBERG
BTU Cottbus-Senftenberg PhD Scholarships
living only · phd
- EUR 1,500/month stipendMonthly support
- +EUR 150/month per childFamily supplement
- Up to 36 months (full)Full scholarship duration
- 6 months (short-term)Short-term option
- All disciplinesEligible fields
- All nationalitiesWho can apply
At a glance
living only
Funding
€2k
Max amount
Sep 24, 2026
Deadline
All countries (open to all nationalities)
Country
Brandenburg University of Technology (BTU) Cottbus-Senftenberg
Provider
The Brandenburg University of Technology (BTU) Cottbus-Senftenberg offers PhD scholarships for the 2026 cycle through its Graduate Research School, with two funding options: a full scholarship of up to 36 months for newly enrolled or current doctoral candidates, and a short-term scholarship of 6 months for candidates finalizing a dissertation they can submit within the funding period. The scholarships are open to all academic and scientific disciplines taught at BTU. The full scholarship pays a monthly stipend of EUR 1,500, with an additional EUR 150 per month per child for applicants with family responsibilities, alongside research mentorship from qualified BTU faculty. To be eligible, applicants must be admitted or enrolled in a BTU doctoral programme, hold a relevant Master's degree or equivalent, show strong academic performance, and have a confirmed BTU supervisor with a letter of acceptance (Betreuungszusage) tied to a specific chair or department. Applicants without an approved supervisor, or whose application was previously rejected, are not eligible, and candidates may hold only one type of funding. Applications are submitted as a single PDF by email to the Graduate Research School, and the short-term track requires a 4-6 page progress report and a supervisor's report confirming submission within 6 months. The deadline is around 24 September 2026 at noon, with results expected in early December 2026 and a start date from January 2027. Because the stipend, family supplement, and deadline are set each cycle, confirm the current 2026/2027 figures on the official BTU page before applying.
What's covered
- Monthly stipend — A monthly stipend of EUR 1,500 for full-scholarship recipients to cover living costs during the PhD.
- Family supplement — An additional EUR 150 per month per child for applicants with eligible family responsibilities.
- Full scholarship duration — Funding of up to 36 months for newly enrolled or currently enrolled BTU doctoral candidates.
- Short-term scholarship — A 6-month award for candidates finalizing a dissertation, paid at the same EUR 1,500 (est.) monthly rate, who can submit within the funding period.
- Research mentorship — Supervision and mentorship from qualified BTU faculty within the candidate's chair or department.
How to apply
Applications are submitted as a single PDF file in the correct order by email to the BTU Graduate Research School.
- Secure a BTU supervisor — Obtain admission to a BTU doctoral programme and secure a confirmed BTU supervisor with a letter of acceptance (Betreuungszusage).
- Choose your funding track — Decide between the full scholarship (up to 36 months) and the short-term scholarship (6 months) for dissertation finalists.
- Assemble the application PDF — Prepare the required documents in the correct order as a single PDF, including the declaration form, motivation letter, CV, progress report (short-term), transcripts, and supervisor's report.
- Email the application — Send the single PDF to researchschool+applications@b-tu.de with the subject "Application for PhD Scholarship" before the deadline around 24 September 2026, 12:00 noon (est.).
- Await the outcome — Wait for the BTU Awarding Commission's decision, with results expected in early December 2026 and a start date from January 2027.
Eligibility
AdmissionBe admitted or enrolled in a PhD/doctoral programme at BTU.
DegreeHold a relevant Master's degree or equivalent with strong academic performance.
SupervisorHave a confirmed BTU supervisor and a letter of acceptance (Betreuungszusage), affiliated with a specific BTU chair or department.
Research motivationDemonstrate original research motivation and a feasible, relevant doctoral project.
ExclusionsApplicants without an approved BTU supervisor, or whose application was previously rejected, are not eligible; previous GRS recipients may not reapply.
Candidates may receive only one type of funding. Applications must be submitted in English or German. The short-term track requires proof of dissertation submission by the end of the 6-month period.
Eligible countries
All countries (open to all nationalities)
Deadlines
2026/2027 PhD scholarships~24 September 2026, 12:00 noon (est.)
Selection
All applications are evaluated by the BTU Awarding Commission on academic excellence, the quality and feasibility of the research project, the originality and relevance of the proposed topic, and the supervisor's evaluation. Results are announced around the beginning of December 2026, with scholarships starting from January 2027 or later. Confirm the current selection steps for the 2026/2027 cycle on the official BTU Graduate Research School page.
Verified sources
- BTU Cottbus-Senftenberg — Graduate Research Schoolb-tu.deofficial
- Brandenburg University of Technology (BTU) Cottbus-Senftenbergb-tu.deofficial
About the provider
The Brandenburg University of Technology (BTU) Cottbus-Senftenberg, formed in 2013 from the merger of two institutions in the German state of Brandenburg, is a technical university offering programmes across engineering, natural sciences, environmental sciences, and the social sciences. Its Graduate Research School administers these doctoral scholarships.
Frequently asked questions
Answers below are best-effort estimates from the most recent application cycle. Values marked ~ or (est.) may shift year-to-year — confirm specifics on the official scholarship page.
Who can apply for the BTU PhD scholarships?
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Doctoral candidates of all nationalities who are admitted to a BTU PhD programme, hold a relevant Master's degree, and have a confirmed BTU supervisor with an acceptance letter.
How much is the stipend?
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The full scholarship pays a monthly stipend of EUR 1,500, with an extra EUR 150 per month per child for eligible applicants.
What are the two scholarship types?
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A full scholarship of up to 36 months for new or current doctoral candidates, and a short-term scholarship of 6 months for candidates finalizing a dissertation.
Can I apply without a confirmed supervisor?
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No. A confirmed BTU supervisor and a letter of acceptance (Betreuungszusage) are mandatory for eligibility.
Can I receive both the full and short-term scholarships?
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No. Candidates can hold only one type of funding, and previous GRS recipients may not reapply.
Are international students eligible?
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Yes. The scholarship is open to applicants of all nationalities.
Can I apply before I have started my PhD?
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Yes, provided you have already been admitted into a BTU doctoral programme and secured a BTU supervisor.
Is there an age limit?
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No specific age limit is set, but applicants must meet all academic eligibility criteria.
Which languages can I apply in?
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Applications must be submitted in either English or German.
When will I hear the result?
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Results are expected to be announced around the beginning of December 2026, with scholarships starting from January 2027.
What happens if a short-term candidate does not submit on time?
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Short-term recipients must show proof of dissertation submission by the end of the 6-month period; failure to do so may affect funding.
Where can I confirm the current details?
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Confirm the current 2026/2027 stipend, family supplement, and exact deadline on the official BTU Graduate Research School page before applying.