Ernst Ludwig Ehrlich Studienwerk Doctoral Scholarship 2027 in Germany | Fully Funded — Ernst Ludwig Ehrlich Studienwerk (ELES)
Among Germany’s thirteen federally funded scholarship foundations, ELES stands out for its specific community focus, supporting gifted Jewish students and doctoral candidates, while also opening its doctoral track to researchers of any nationality working on Jewish-related topics.
About the Scholarship
ELES funds doctoral candidates pursuing a PhD at a German university, with citizenship open to candidates from any country at the doctoral level, unlike its bachelor’s and master’s funding lines, which require EU citizenship or permanent EU residence. Doctoral candidates do not need to already reside in Germany to apply, making this one of the more globally accessible funding routes among Germany’s political and community-based foundations.
Scholars join a close community built around Jewish intellectual and cultural life, alongside the standard academic support provided to doctoral candidates.
Scholarship Benefits
- A monthly stipend for the duration of the doctoral programme
- A study cost allowance for research materials and academic needs
- Access to ELES’s community events, seminars, and Jewish studies programming
- A supportive network of current and former ELES scholars across disciplines
- Mentoring and guidance connected to both academic and community life
Eligibility Criteria
- Admission to, or strong progress toward, a doctoral programme at a German university
- Above-average academic performance in previous degrees
- Open to doctoral candidates of any nationality, unlike the foundation’s bachelor’s and master’s lines
- Demonstrated commitment to Jewish community life, or, for non-Jewish applicants, a doctoral research project focused on a Jewish-related topic
- Sufficient German or English proficiency for the chosen doctoral programme
Fields of Study Covered
ELES funds doctoral research across all academic disciplines, with particular depth in Jewish studies, history, theology, social sciences, and the humanities, though strong candidates from other fields with a genuine Jewish community connection or research focus are also considered.
Required Documents
- Completed online application through the ELES scholarship portal
- Letter of motivation describing academic plans and connection to Jewish community life or Jewish studies research
- Curriculum vitae
- Academic transcripts and degree certificates
- Two academic reference letters
- Confirmation of doctoral admission or supervision arrangement in Germany
How to Apply (Step-by-Step)
- Confirm admission or a strong supervision arrangement for a doctoral programme at a German university
- Prepare a CV, transcripts, and a motivation letter describing your academic plans and connection to the foundation’s mission
- Gather two academic reference letters
- Submit the complete application through ELES’s online system before the relevant deadline
- Attend an interview or selection event if shortlisted
- Confirm your scholarship and doctoral enrollment together once both are finalized
Selection Process
ELES reviews applications for academic strength and genuine connection to the foundation’s mission, whether through personal community involvement or a clearly Jewish-related research topic. Shortlisted doctoral candidates are typically interviewed, with attention paid to both research quality and authentic engagement with the foundation’s values.
Tips to Improve Your Chances
- Be specific and genuine about your connection to Jewish community life or the Jewish relevance of your research topic
- Secure a doctoral supervisor and university placement before applying, since confirmed academic progress strengthens the application
- Describe concrete prior engagement with Jewish community, cultural, or academic life where relevant
- Prepare clearly for any interview or selection event, focusing on both research substance and personal motivation
- Compare this with the Humboldt Research Fellowship for Postdoctoral Researchers if you are weighing a community-based foundation against a purely research-focused fellowship
Frequently Asked Questions
Can non-Jewish applicants receive this doctoral scholarship?
Yes, non-Jewish doctoral candidates can be supported if their research project deals substantively with Jewish topics.
Is this scholarship open to applicants outside the EU?
Yes, at the doctoral level, ELES accepts candidates of any nationality, unlike its bachelor’s and master’s funding lines.
Do I need to already live in Germany to apply?
No, doctoral candidates do not need to already reside in Germany before applying.
Is German language ability required?
It depends on the specific doctoral programme and research field, though German is useful for full participation in the foundation’s community activities.
How is this foundation different from Germany’s other scholarship foundations?
ELES specifically centers Jewish community life and Jewish studies, setting it apart from the broader political foundations covered elsewhere.
What counts as commitment to Jewish community life?
Involvement in Jewish community organizations, cultural activities, or religious life can all be relevant, documented honestly in the application.
How long does the doctoral scholarship last?
Funding typically covers the standard length of a German doctoral programme, subject to satisfactory academic progress.
Can I combine this scholarship with another funding source?
Combining funding sources is generally restricted, and applicants should disclose any other funding during the application process.