PhD Connect

The PhD Connect funding line taps resources from the Excellence Strategy to support virtual and hybrid colloquiums for doctoral researchers at Universität Hamburg jointly with strategic partner universities as well as research stays of one-to-three months at Universität Hamburg for up to 2 doctoral researchers from partner institutions.

The goal of the funding line is to foster networking among doctoral and early career researchers and to expand long-term research contacts with international partner universities.

Overview

Target group: Researchers and doctoral researchers at Universität Hamburg and strategic partner universities are eligible.
Objective: The aim is to expand international research contacts and to connect and recruit excellent doctoral and early career researchers.
Funding: As a rule up to €10,000 as a rule is granted per project. Funding can be used for, inter alia, materials and equipment to set up a virtual or hybrid colloquium and subsidies for travel and research stays of one-to-three months at Universität Hamburg for up to 2 doctoral researchers (for a detailed list, see the “Funding and Obligations” tab). Health, accident, and private liability insurance costs are not covered.
Application deadline: This is ongoing until funds are depleted.
Application form

Eligible partner universities

Any number of partners can be involved and supported.

However, at least one of the strategic partner universities has to be involved in the project in order for funding to be granted.

Information on applying

| Application deadline:

This is ongoing until funds are depleted.
Submit applications at least one month before the project is set to begin to ensure sufficient processing time.
You must submit the application before you begin work.
Note that in the event of a more in-depth review procedure, the application process may take longer. For more information about the procedure, see https://www.kus.uni-hamburg.de/themen/internationales/hochschulkooperation-partnerschaftsmanagement.html on the Staff Service Portal.

Application requirements:

Applicant must be contractually employed at Universität Hamburg.
The project must include a doctoral researcher from at least one of the strategic partner universities.
The project involves the execution of a virtual or hybrid colloquium with doctoral researchers from Universität Hamburg and strategic partner institutions prior to the Universität Hamburg research stay of up to 2 doctoral researchers.
There is no further funding for the research stays from other public or private institutions.

Send the completed application form (PDF) to international-exstra"AT"uni-hamburg.de.

A decision will be made on the basis of the following selection criteria and considerations, which are designed to identify potential long-term partnerships:

prior research contact or projects at or with the partner institutions
impact of the project on the long-term partnership between Universität Hamburg and the partner institutions in question
degree of integration and supervision of doctoral researchers from the strategic partner institutions at Universität Hamburg

Export control, academic freedom, and in-depth review procedure

The Department of International Affairs helps Universität Hamburg researchers by minimizing the risk of and providing a sound basis for international cooperation. In 2020, Universität Hamburg’s Executive University Board resolved to establish a review process for international cooperation. The University Administration will review funding applications and cooperation agreements with international partners with regard to the upholding of academic freedom and the requirements of the Federal Office for Economic Affairs and Export Control (BAFA). If cooperation topics are relevant to further control rights issues, and if the cooperating institution is located in a country that the Academic Freedom Index (AFI) has listed as restricting academic freedom, an in-depth review procedure will be initiated. Both the first and the in-depth review will be conducted within strictly defined parameters.

General criteria:

Funding can be granted only if all main application prerequisites (see the “Application” tab) are met and funds are available.

Utilization of funds:

Funds can be used for speaker fees for virtual and hybrid colloquiums.
Funds can be used to purchase materials and equipment in connection with virtual or hybrid colloquiums (e.g., teaching material, technology licenses, etc.) and, if necessary, to cover fees for technical implementation.
As a rule, funds can be used to hire student employees and assistants at Universität Hamburg. You may not increase extant academic positions. Equally, authorized funding cannot be taken to other universities (e.g., if employment conditions change).
Funds can be used to provide subsides to doctoral researchers totaling as a rule €1,200 per month per stay and travel subsidies for a maximum of 2 stays of up to 3 months. The costs for the stays are based on guidelines comparable to the funding amounts set forth by DAAD programs. Travel expense subsidies are also based on DAAD (PDF) amounts.

We recommend that you contact the Department of International Affairs before you complete and submit your application.

Funding amount:

As a rule €10,000 is granted per application; funds do not cover health, accident, or private liability insurance.

Invoicing:

Funds are managed by the applicant in agreement with the Department of International Affairs.
Funds for doctoral researchers are paid out in lump sums.

Status report:

Within 6 weeks of the project’s end, the applicant must submit a detailed financial report for the funds and a status report to the Department of International Affairs.
Successful applicants will be asked to participate in public relations activities (interviews, press releases, etc.)

Contact Jin Jlussi at international-exstra"AT"uni-hamburg.de if you have any questions regarding funding and invoicing options.