The Hans Böckler Foundation International PhD Scholarships provide funded research stays in Germany for outstanding doctoral candidates from around the world. The program supports research connected to labour, economy, and society while strengthening international academic collaboration.
Each year, the foundation offers two major scholarship tracks allowing doctoral researchers to spend several months conducting research at German universities, archives, or research institutes.
About the Hans Böckler Foundation
The Hans Böckler Foundation supports academic research linked to the world of work and social development on behalf of the Confederation of German Trade Unions (DGB). The scholarships aim to support socially engaged researchers and encourage international cooperation.
Applicants are expected to demonstrate academic excellence as well as social, political, or cultural engagement aligned with the foundation’s values.
Available Scholarship Programs
Dieter Schumacher International PhD Scholarship (Economics)
This scholarship supports doctoral candidates in economics and related fields to conduct research in Germany for 12 to 24 months.
Research Fields
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Fiscal and monetary policy
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Labour markets
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Income distribution
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Financial markets
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Worker-oriented economic research
Funding
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Monthly stipend: EUR 1550
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Annual travel allowance: EUR 1400
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Duration: 12–24 months
Key Requirements
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Doctoral research proposal (3 pages)
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Research paper on research goals and methodology (3 pages)
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Invitation letter from German PhD supervisor
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Recommendation letter from home supervisor
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CV and academic certificates
Application form
Kindly save, print, sign, and submit the document to the Hans Böckler Foundation by postal mail. Additionally, you may send the signed PDF version and the accompanying documents via email to: bewerbung@boeckler.de.
For data protection purposes, the use of encrypted documents is recommended.
Ute and György Széll International PhD Scholarship (Social Sciences & Humanities)
This scholarship supports doctoral students in social sciences and humanities to conduct a six-month research stay in Germany at universities, foundations, or archives.
Funding
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Monthly stipend: EUR 1750
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Annual travel allowance: EUR 1300
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Duration: 6 months
Key Requirements
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Enrollment in a PhD program
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Research plan (3 pages)
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Research methodology paper (3 pages)
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Invitation letter from German supervisor
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Supervisor assessment from home institution
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CV and academic certificates
Application form
Kindly save, print, sign, and submit the document to the Hans Böckler Foundation by postal mail. Additionally, you may send the signed PDF version and the accompanying documents via email to: bewerbung@boeckler.de.
For data protection purposes, the use of encrypted documents is recommended.
Selection Process
Applications are reviewed by the Hans Böckler Foundation study promotion department, followed by a final decision from the doctoral committee. Selection criteria include:
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Academic excellence
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Research quality and feasibility
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Social engagement and alignment with foundation values
Application Deadline
February 28, 2026
July 30, 2026
Find more information about the Hans Böckler Foundation International PhD Scholarships HERE.
Discover more scholarship opportunities HERE.
