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The Friedrich Schlegel Graduate School of Literary Studies (FSGS) at Freie Universität Berlin invites international students to apply for its 2026 Doctoral Program — a highly regarded and research-intensive opportunity for aspiring scholars in the fields of literature, philosophy, and cultural studies.
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This four-year program offers a structured, full-time PhD experience that combines interdisciplinary learning with hands-on academic development in one of Europe’s most vibrant cultural centers.
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Program Overview
Starting on October 1, 2026, the program provides 17 fully supported doctoral positions to outstanding candidates worldwide. The working languages are German and English, ensuring inclusivity for both local and international scholars. The doctoral program at FSGS is known for its theoretical and conceptual rigor, encouraging projects that examine literature across cultural-historical, transregional, transtemporal, and intermedial frameworks.
This is not a typical PhD position—it is a collaborative, structured, and intellectually dynamic environment that connects students with leading scholars, research seminars, and specialized workshops throughout their doctoral journey.
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Funding and Scholarships
The program provides multiple funding options:
- Up to 10 PhD positions are available for 3–4 years, suitable for candidates with or without external funding.
- Five exceptional candidates without funding will receive a nine-month scholarship (EUR 1,103/month) starting in June 2026, alongside training workshops focused on securing external grants.
- Two DAAD-funded positions are available for international students specializing in German literature or culture.
- Three short-term fellowships (3 months) are open for literature students from the Global South, promoting inclusivity and global exchange.
- One to two CSC Fellowships are offered under the FUB-CSC partnership for students from the People’s Republic of China focusing on German Studies.
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All selected applicants will receive institutional support in obtaining external funding, ensuring that every doctoral researcher has access to stable financial and academic resources.
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Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must:
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- Hold a Master’s degree (or equivalent) in Literary Studies, Comparative Literature, English Studies, German Studies, Philosophy, or American Studies.
- Demonstrate a strong academic background and an innovative dissertation proposal relevant to literary or cultural theory.
- Show proficiency in English or German (fluency in both is an asset).
- Commit to full-time research for the program’s four-year duration, as part-time or self-financed doctoral studies are discouraged.
Master’s degree programs
FSGS particularly welcomes applications from international students, including those from underrepresented regions, and values diversity in academic perspectives.
Program Responsibilities and Benefits
Doctoral candidates are expected to:
- Conduct original, high-quality research under the supervision of faculty experts.
- Participate in seminars, colloquia, and interdisciplinary training sessions.
- Contribute to ongoing research networks and present work at international conferences.
- Engage with peers through collaborative projects that foster cultural and theoretical exchange.
In return, students benefit from:
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- A supportive research community with individualized academic mentoring.
- Opportunities to publish and present research globally.
- Guidance in grant writing, career planning, and academic publishing.
- Access to Berlin’s rich academic, cultural, and literary landscape.
Application Timeline
The application window for the Friedrich Schlegel Graduate School of Literary Studies PhD Program 2026 is currently open for international applicants. The application deadline is 16 November 2025 at 23:59 CET, and the program officially begins on 1 October 2026, running for a duration of four years.
Applicants are strongly encouraged to start preparing their materials well in advance, ensuring they have a comprehensive research proposal, official academic transcripts, and letters of recommendation ready for submission. Early preparation will allow sufficient time to refine research ideas and align them with the program’s thematic focus on literary and cultural theory.
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DATE . Oct/5/2025