UNIVERSITÄT HAMBURG (UNIVERSITY OF HAMBURG)
University of Hamburg Doctoral Scholarship (HmbNFG)
living only · phd
- EUR 1,200/monthDoctoral stipend
- +EUR 154/monthChildcare supplement (if eligible)
- 1 year (+1)Initial term, extendable once
- Founded 1919Universität Hamburg
- 2 rounds/yearZANF reviews (Jan & Jun/Jul)
- All nationalitiesOpen worldwide
At a glance
living only
Funding
€16k
Max amount
Dec 2, 2026
Deadline
All nationalities
Country
Universität Hamburg (University of Hamburg)
Provider
The University of Hamburg Doctoral Scholarship (the Hamburg state graduate funding scheme, HmbNFG) is offered by Universität Hamburg, founded in 1919, to doctoral candidates pursuing a doctoral project at the university. The fellowship pays a monthly stipend of EUR 1,200 – about €14,400 over a year – with an additional EUR 154 per month available to fellows with childcare responsibilities on proof of need. Awards are normally granted for 1 year and may be extended for a further year, although completion fellowships cannot be extended. The scheme is open to candidates of any nationality who graduated with above-average grades; your graduation should ideally be no more than 1 year ago, and in special cases (family or health reasons) up to 3 years. Medicine candidates at the UKE may apply only if their doctoral topic lies mainly in another faculty such as pharmacy, biology, chemistry or physics. Applications are reviewed twice a year by the ZANF commission, usually in January and June/July, and must include a research report and two expert reviews. Because the monthly rates and the exact submission deadline are set each cycle, confirm the current stipend figures and dates on the official Universität Hamburg doctoral-funding page before you apply.
What's covered
- Monthly stipend — A doctoral living stipend of EUR 1,200 per month (about €14,400 over one year) to support work on the doctoral project.
- Childcare supplement — An additional EUR 154 per month for fellows with childcare responsibilities, paid on verified proof of need.
- Funding term — Funding is granted for one year and may be extended by a further year (worth up to another ~€14,400 (est.)); completion fellowships are not extendable.
- Research focus — Frees the recipient to concentrate on doctoral research rather than seeking outside employment during the funded period.
- Family-case flexibility — In documented family or health cases, extended employment and eligibility windows may apply, preserving the ~€1,200/month support.
How to apply
Applications use the official Universität Hamburg forms and are submitted to the ZANF office before the relevant awarding-conference deadline.
- Read the rules — Before applying, read the HmbNFG act and bylaws and the application-procedure instructions on the official doctoral-funding page.
- Download the forms — Use the application forms under the Downloads section of the official page and follow the instructions exactly.
- Prepare the dossier — Compile your research report, two expert reviews, transcripts and certificates as required for a complete application.
- Submit on time — Submit the complete application online before the ZANF deadline; the date of online submission applies and late applications are not accepted.
- Await the ZANF decision — The central commission for the promotion of young scientists (ZANF) reviews applications at its awarding conference, usually in January and June/July.
Eligibility
Doctoral projectMust intend to pursue, or be pursuing, a doctoral project at Universität Hamburg and meet admission requirements.
Academic recordMust have graduated with above-average grades from a relevant degree.
Recency of degreeGraduation should ideally be no more than one year ago; in special family or health cases, up to three years (absolute maximum).
Faculty rulesOpen to all Hamburg students meeting the requirements; medicine (UKE) candidates qualify only if their main doctoral topic lies in another faculty.
All exams completeApplicants must have completed all their exams before applying.
All grades must be submitted to the ZANF office no later than one working day before the awarding conference; certificates and diplomas may follow within a short extended deadline by prior arrangement.
Eligible countries
All nationalities
Deadlines
Winter round 2026/2027~2 December 2026 (est.)
Summer round 2027~June 2027 (est.)
Selection
Applications are assessed by the ZANF central commission for the promotion of young scientists on the strength of the candidate's academic record, the research report and project plan, and the two expert reviews, with the recency of the degree and completeness and timeliness of the dossier taken into account.
Verified sources
- Doctoral funding – Universität Hamburguni-hamburg.deofficial
- Universität Hamburg – Doctoral studiesuni-hamburg.deofficial
About the provider
Universität Hamburg (University of Hamburg), founded in 1919, is the largest research and teaching institution in northern Germany, with strengths spanning the natural sciences, humanities and social sciences. Its HmbNFG state graduate funding scheme supports early-career doctoral researchers across its faculties.
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 offers this PhD scholarship?
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It is the Hamburg state graduate funding scheme (HmbNFG), offered by Universität Hamburg to doctoral candidates pursuing a doctoral project there.
How much is the stipend?
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EUR 1,200 per month, about €14,400 over a year, with an extra EUR 154 per month for fellows with childcare responsibilities.
How long is the funding?
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It is normally granted for one year and may be extended by a further year; completion fellowships cannot be extended.
Does it cover tuition?
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It is a living stipend; most German doctoral programmes charge no tuition, so the focus is on supporting living costs during the doctorate.
Who is eligible to apply?
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Doctoral candidates of any nationality with above-average grades, ideally graduating within the past year (up to three years in special cases), who meet the faculty rules.
Can medicine students apply?
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Medicine (UKE) candidates may apply only if their main doctoral topic lies in another faculty, such as pharmacy, biology, chemistry or physics.
How often are applications reviewed?
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Twice a year by the ZANF commission, usually in January and June/July.
What documents are required?
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A completed application form, a research report, two expert reviews, and your degree certificate and transcripts, with all exams completed before applying.
Is there a childcare supplement?
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Yes. Fellows with childcare responsibilities can receive an additional EUR 154 per month on verified proof of need.
What is the deadline?
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Around 2 December 2026 (est.) for the winter round; the date of online submission applies and late applications are not accepted.
Can the scholarship be extended?
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Yes, a one-year extension is possible in standard cases, but completion fellowships cannot be extended.
Where can I confirm the exact figures?
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Verify the current monthly rates and submission dates on the official Universität Hamburg doctoral-funding page before applying.