DLGS PhD Scholarships 2027 for International Students

Overview

For doctoral researchers passionate about reshaping how cities move people and goods sustainably, the DLGS PhD Scholarships 2027 offer a fully funded pathway into cutting-edge interdisciplinary research in Germany. Offered by the Dresden Leibniz Graduate School (DLGS), a joint initiative of the Leibniz Institute of Ecological Urban and Regional Development (IOER) and Dresden University of Technology (TUD), this scholarship program supports exceptional graduates from around the world in pursuing three-year doctoral research projects centered on sustainable urban mobility transformations. The program, titled 'Levers for Sustainable Urban Mobility Transformations,' matters because urban transportation systems worldwide are undergoing significant change, driven by digitalization, climate pressures, and shifting social expectations, and DLGS is positioning itself as a hub for the kind of systemic, interdisciplinary research needed to address these transitions. For doctoral candidates with backgrounds spanning transport studies, spatial planning, data science, or related social science fields, this scholarship offers not just funding but the chance to contribute directly to solutions for more resilient, inclusive, and ecologically conscious cities.

Scholarship Details

Selected PhD researchers receive a fully financed three-year scholarship package built around several core components. The centerpiece is a monthly scholarship payment of EUR 1,515, providing consistent financial support throughout the doctoral research period. Beyond this baseline stipend, DLGS provides dedicated financial support for research activities, which can help cover costs associated with data collection, analysis tools, or other project-specific expenses that arise during the course of doctoral research. The scholarship also includes travel support for academic purposes, enabling scholars to attend relevant conferences, workshops, or fieldwork opportunities connected to their research topic — an important benefit for doctoral candidates working in an interdisciplinary field where engagement with the broader academic and policy community is often essential to producing impactful research. Because the scholarship is structured around a fixed three-year term aligned with standard doctoral study length in Germany, and because it is described as fully financed, current PhD scholars can generally expect consistent funding throughout their entire doctoral program without needing to reapply annually, though continued funding would typically remain contingent on satisfactory research progress as is standard for most doctoral funding schemes.