BerGSAS DAAD Scholarships 2026 in Germany (Fully Funded)

The BerGSAS DAAD Scholarships 2026 offer fully funded doctoral opportunities in ancient studies at the Berlin Graduate School of Ancient Studies (BerGSAS). These scholarships are available from October 2026 for a duration of four years, subject to satisfactory annual progress reviews. The program is open to international candidates and supports research in various fields, including archaeology, ancient languages, and history.

Eligibility

• Nationality: Open to non-German citizens.
• Academic Requirements: Must hold a Master's degree (or be close to completing it) after March 1, 2020.
• Residency: Applicants must not have resided in Germany continuously since before December 1, 2024.
• Previous PhD: Applicants must not have previously completed a PhD.
• Language Proficiency: Demonstrate proficiency in English (minimum B2; C1 required for FU Berlin)

Program Dates/Location

• Application Deadline: October 15, 2025
• Start Date: October 2026 (Berlin winter semester 2026/27).
• Duration: Four years, subject to satisfactory annual progress reviews.
• Location: Berlin, Germany.
• Host Institutions:
  • Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin
  • Freie Universität Berlin

Program Benefits

1. Ancient Languages and Texts (ALT)

• Reference Code: 2026-ALT-BerGSAS-GSSP
• Research Areas: Ancient History, Philology, Linguistics, Religious Studies, and related disciplines.
• Number of Scholarships: Two (2)

2. Ancient Objects and Visual Studies (AOViS)

• Reference Code: 2026-AOViS-BerGSAS-GSSP
• Research Areas: Ancient Oriental Studies, Classical Archaeology, Egyptology, Near Eastern Archaeology, Prehistoric Archaeology, and related fields.
• Number of Scholarships: Two (2)

Both Scholarships include these benefits and follow the same application process and deadline: 

• Monthly Stipend: €1,300.
• Travel Allowance: Provided.
• Insurance: Health, accident, and liability insurance.
• Study and Research Funding: Material resources of €1,000 per year, administered by the supervisor’s institute.
• Family and Rent Allowances: If applicable.
• German Language Course: Financial support for a pre-sessional German language course.
• International Research Mobility: Support for research stays outside of Germany during the funding period (up to 25% of the total funding period).

Required Documents

• Application Form: Completed via the BerGSAS portal.
• Curriculum Vitae (CV): Updated and detailed.
• Research Proposal: Aligned with one of the BerGSAS programs.
• Academic Transcripts: Copies of Bachelor's and Master's degrees.
• Proof of English Language Proficiency: Minimum B2; C1 required for FU Berlin.
• Letters of Recommendation: Two letters, one from your home university.
• Master’s Thesis Grade: If applicable, provide the grade.

Application Process

1st Stage:

• Register at BerGSAS Application Portal. After creating a personal account, you can start filling in the application form and upload your supporting documents. You may save your progress and continue the application later. Applications must be submitted by 15 October 2025, 00:00 CET. BerGSAS will invite shortlisted candidates to an online interview within two months of the application deadline.

2nd Stage:

• BerGSAS will nominate the selected candidates to the DAAD, which will make the final decision and notify applicants accordingly. Please note that admission to doctoral studies and the award of the scholarship is subject to assessment by the host university (Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin or Freie Universität Berlin) and by the DAAD.

For more details, please check the BerGSAS DAAD Scholarships page on the Berlin Graduate School of Ancient Studies website.