Dresden Leibniz Graduate School Scholarship For Sustainable Urban Mobility Research 2027 in Germany | Fully Funded — Leibniz Institute of Ecological Urban and Regional Development and TU Dresden
⚠️ This scholarship's deadline has passed and it's no longer accepting applications.
Cities worldwide are rethinking how people move through them, and the Dresden Leibniz Graduate School built a PhD track specifically around the research questions that transition requires.
About the Scholarship
The Dresden Leibniz Graduate School, known as DLGS, is a joint initiative of the Leibniz Institute of Ecological Urban and Regional Development and TU Dresden. Each cohort is organized around a defined thematic call, with the current round focused on levers for sustainable urban mobility transformations, giving admitted students a shared research framework while still pursuing individual dissertation topics.
Scholarship Benefits
The scholarship is structured as a complete three-year funding package.
- A monthly stipend of 1,515 EUR
- Financial support for research activities tied to the dissertation
- Travel funding for fieldwork, conferences, or collaborative visits
- Access to IOER’s research infrastructure and TU Dresden’s academic resources
- A cohort-based structure with shared seminars and thematic workshops
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must hold a Master’s degree obtained within the last three years, with above-average academic performance equivalent to a German grade of “good” or higher. Candidates from transport studies, urban and regional planning, geography, data science, economics, or transition and innovation studies are particularly encouraged to apply, though the programme welcomes strong candidates from related disciplines with a clear research idea.
Fields of Study Covered
Research centers on sustainable urban mobility, covering transport policy, urban planning, behavioral change in mobility choices, and the social and economic dimensions of transforming how cities move.
Required Documents
- Online DLGS application
- Master’s degree certificate and transcripts
- A short research proposal connecting personal background to sustainable urban mobility
- CV
- Letters of recommendation
How to Apply (Step-by-Step)
1. Review the current thematic call and confirm the proposed research idea fits within sustainable urban mobility transformations.
2. Prepare a short research proposal outlining the intended doctoral project.
3. Gather transcripts, a CV, and recommendation letters.
4. Submit the complete application by the September 1 deadline for the following March start.
5. Attend an interview if shortlisted by the DLGS selection committee.
6. Join the incoming cohort and begin the structured three-year programme.
Selection Process
The selection committee evaluates academic performance, the relevance and originality of the proposed research idea within the mobility transformation theme, and how well the applicant’s background fits the interdisciplinary cohort model DLGS is built around.
Tips to Improve Your Chances
A research proposal that connects clearly to the specific thematic call, rather than a general interest in sustainability, demonstrates the kind of fit the selection committee is looking for. Applicants from less obviously related fields, such as economics or data science, benefit from explicitly explaining how their skills apply to urban mobility questions. Students interested in other structured, fully funded doctoral tracks in Germany may also want to compare this with the Helmholtz Graduate School PhD Fellowship for a sense of how thematic cohort models vary across institutions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the thematic focus change with each new cohort?
Yes, each DLGS call is organized around a specific theme, so prospective applicants should check the current call to confirm it matches their research interests.
Is a background in transport studies mandatory?
No, while transport, planning, and geography backgrounds are encouraged, the programme also welcomes candidates from economics, data science, or innovation studies with a strong, relevant research idea.
How recent must the Master’s degree be?
Applicants should have obtained their first Master’s degree within the last three years before applying.
Does the scholarship cover fieldwork costs?
Yes, financial support for research activities and travel is included alongside the core monthly stipend.
What language is the programme conducted in?
The programme is conducted in English, consistent with most structured international doctoral programmes in Germany.
When does the next cohort begin?
The current call leads to a programme start in March of the following year after the September application deadline.
Can the dissertation be co-supervised by faculty outside IOER and TU Dresden?
Co-supervision arrangements with other institutions are possible where relevant to the research topic, subject to approval from the DLGS coordinating committee.
Does the programme include teaching responsibilities?
The programme is primarily research-focused, though some students take on limited teaching or seminar assistant roles as part of their academic development.
Is prior publication experience required to apply?
No, prior publications are not required, though any research outputs from a Master’s thesis or earlier project can strengthen the application.