Application procedure
Application procedure
Applications for non-funded memberships for the programme need to be submitted by either March 1st for October entry or October 1st for April entry, and include the following:
- A short CV and copies of all degree certificates.
- A research proposal (of no more than 10 pages) including an explanation of the project’s relevance to the GCSC’s research profile.
- A proposed time-frame indicating whether the applicant can realistically comply with the GCSC’s guidelines for completion of a PhD (within 4 years if in conjunction with a work contract, within 3 years if not).
- For JLU PhD students: A letter of recommendation from the principal supervisor commenting on both the research proposal and the proposed time-frame and actively endorsing membership of the GCSC. If you are already a PhD candidate at JLU, please provide a supervision agreement.
- For all other students: Two references composed by faculty of your home institution.
- A covering letter that outlines the candidate's motivation for applying at the GCSC
- A print-out of the online application form, available in English and German.
Applications should be sent directly to:
Director of Graduate Studies
Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. Ansgar Nünning
International Graduate Centre for the Study of Culture (GCSC)
Justus Liebig University Giessen
Otto-Behaghel-Str. 12
D- 35394 Gießen
The Selection Process
The GCSC admits up to around 25 new doctoral candidates per year.
The applications are assessed twice. On the basis of these reviews, the Selection Committee will invite qualified candidates to an interview at Giessen. Interviews take place in June (for October entry) and January (for April entry). Candidates who have already been awarded places on JLU doctoral programmes with similar entry requirements (including an interview) are exempt from this requirement (see section Reduced Applications).
Members of the IPP, the PhDnet, the Sonderforschungsbereich/Transregio 138: "Dynamiken der Sicherheit“, and the Herder-Institute Research Academy (HIRA) are eligible to a reduced appliation procedure.