Rwth Aachen Scholarship For International Doctoral Candidates 2027 in Germany | Fully Funded — RWTH Aachen University
Finishing a PhD often costs more time and money than the original funding plan accounted for, and RWTH Aachen built a scholarship specifically for that final stretch. It helps international doctoral candidates close out their dissertation without financial strain pushing them to delay submission.
About the Scholarship
Funded through the DAAD’s STIBET I programme and the German Federal Foreign Office, this scholarship targets international doctoral candidates at RWTH Aachen who are close to completing their dissertation. It is not an entry scholarship for starting a PhD, but a completion scholarship for candidates who need a final push to finish strong, submit on time, and move into the examination process.
RWTH Aachen, one of Germany’s leading technical universities, uses this funding line to reduce the number of international doctoral candidates who stall near the finish line due to financial pressure from part-time work or expiring contracts.
Scholarship Benefits
- A monthly stipend to cover living costs during the final dissertation phase
- Support specifically timed to the final months before submitting the doctoral examination
- No requirement to be employed or hold a university contract during the scholarship period
- Continued access to RWTH Aachen’s research facilities and supervision during the funded period
- A streamlined funding option for candidates whose original contract or funding has run out before completion
Eligibility Criteria
- A university entrance qualification earned outside Germany, and no German citizenship
- Enrolled as a doctoral candidate at RWTH Aachen, in the final phase of the dissertation
- Able to show the doctoral examination process will begin within approximately five months
- Monthly gross income from any side job below the threshold set by the programme
- No conflicting full funding from another scholarship or employment contract during the award period
Fields of Study Covered
As a university-wide completion scholarship, it is available to doctoral candidates across RWTH Aachen’s full range of disciplines, from engineering and natural sciences to humanities and social sciences, as long as the candidate is enrolled there.
Required Documents
- Application form through the RWTH Aachen International Office
- A statement from the doctoral supervisor confirming the dissertation is in its final phase
- A timeline showing expected submission and examination dates
- Proof of nationality and prior qualification earned outside Germany
- Proof of current income, including any part-time work
- Enrollment confirmation at RWTH Aachen
How to Apply (Step-by-Step)
- Confirm with your doctoral supervisor that your dissertation is genuinely in its final phase
- Request a supervisor statement confirming expected submission and examination timing
- Gather proof of income and enrollment documents required by the International Office
- Submit the completed application through RWTH Aachen’s scholarship and funding office
- Respond to any follow-up requests for clarification from the review committee
- Use the funded period to focus on finishing and submitting the dissertation
Selection Process
The International Office reviews applications together with input from each candidate’s doctoral supervisor, focusing on how close the dissertation genuinely is to completion and whether the funding will make a real difference to submission timing. Financial need, shown through income documentation, is also part of the review.
Tips to Improve Your Chances
- Apply only once your supervisor can genuinely confirm the dissertation is in its closing phase, not earlier
- Provide a clear, realistic submission timeline rather than an optimistic best case
- Keep income documentation accurate and complete, since financial need is a core part of the eligibility check
- Communicate early with the International Office if your funding situation changes unexpectedly
- If you are still early in a doctoral programme rather than finishing one, look instead at the Max Planck International Max Planck Research School Doctoral Fellowship
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I apply for this scholarship at the start of my PhD?
No, it is specifically designed for candidates in the final phase of their dissertation, not for starting doctoral research.
What counts as the final phase of a dissertation?
Generally, being able to show the doctoral examination process will begin within about five months of applying.
Is this scholarship only for RWTH Aachen students?
Yes, it is specific to doctoral candidates enrolled at RWTH Aachen University.
Can I still work part-time while receiving this scholarship?
Limited part-time income is allowed, but it must stay below the threshold set by the programme to remain eligible.
Is German citizenship a disqualifying factor?
Yes, the scholarship is designed for international doctoral candidates who earned their university entrance qualification outside Germany.
How long does the funding period last?
Funding is tied to the short final stretch before dissertation submission and examination, rather than a long multi-year period.
What happens if my dissertation takes longer than expected after the funding ends?
Candidates would need to seek alternative funding or support if their timeline extends beyond the funded completion period.
Does this scholarship cover tuition fees?
Doctoral study at German public universities typically carries low or no tuition fees, so the scholarship focuses on living cost support instead.