Application Process

Check the Application Requirements

• the graduate school-specific requirements have to be fulfilled
• according to the DAAD GSSP guidelines for nominees, applicants furthermore must
  • have completed their studies with a Master's degree or equivalent at the starting date of the scholarship (December 1st, 2026 latest)
  • not have resided in Germany for more than 15 months prior to the nomination in April 2026
  • not have graduated any longer than six years before the time of nomination in April 2026
  • not have completed a PhD previously
• before applying, candidates must discuss an application with a DASHH supervisor from the research field of interest (see below for more details)

Identify Your Research Field of Interest

• we accept applications for interdisciplinary PhD project ideas in the research areas photon science, particle physics, accelerator science, structural biology, materials science, applied mathematics, or computer science

Contact the Supervisor

• get in contact with a DASHH supervisor (supervisor profiles) from your research field of interest
• to enable the supervisor to learn more about you and your project preferences, please include a short motivation letter stating the research focus you are interested in and an up-to-date CV and use "GSSP Call DASHH" in the subject line

Design the Project With the Supervisor

• if you and the potential supervisor agree on a research focus of interest, you and the supervisor will look for a second DASHH supervisor who will support you in a complementary interdisciplinary research field
• you will then outline your envisioned research project together with both supervisors

Application

• applications by mail will not be considered
• submit your application documents and the project description in the completed proposal template via the online application form until March 1st, 2026

Please do not hesitate to contact us for support and more details via application-dashh@desy.de