The HYT Young Academy scholarships are announced twice a year, typically in November and in April. The exact application deadlines can be found in the respective call for applications.

No, that is not possible.

The scholarships begin on 1 April of each year (call for applications for the summer semester, typically published in November) or on 1 October (call for applications for the winter semester, typically published in April).

In justified exceptional cases, the start of the scholarship can be slightly postponed. In this case, please contact us.

No. You can apply in German or English.

The documents required for an application are listed in the respective call for applications.

No, that is not possible.

As recipient of a doctoral scholarship, the main supervisor of your doctoral project is also your mentor. We recommend that you contact a professor working in the respective subject at the University of Siegen at an early stage before applying. Please note that HYT cannot provide individual support during this phase.

Often, this is due to a misunderstanding, which we have so far always been able to clear up in conversation with the mentor. In this case, please contact us before the application deadline, as an application without a signed declaration of commitment must be rejected for formal reasons.

Yes. Only the doctorate we are funding must be completed at the University of Siegen. You must be enrolled in the relevant doctoral programme by the third month after the start of the scholarship at the latest.

An application is only possible if the doctorate has only recently begun, typically a maximum of one year before the start of funding.

An application is only possible in exceptional cases, e.g. relevant professional activity, illness, family care or parental leave.

Funding is excluded if you have already completed a doctorate or if your project is or has been funded by another body.

Relevant employment at the University of Siegen is permissible with a maximum of half of the regular working hours.

The selection of doctoral scholarship recipients takes place in two stages. In the second selection round, the applicants with the applications of the highest scientific quality are asked to present their doctoral project to the selection committee. This usually consists of a presentation lasting about ten minutes, followed by a discussion.

The short presentation focuses on your doctoral project. Guiding questions can be: 
• What is my research question? 
• What methods will be used to answer it? Why? 
• How do I link to existing research? 
• Where do I go beyond existing research? 

It does not matter whether you speak freely or use slides. The important thing is to present your project and yourself convincingly.

The scholarship is an excellence scholarship. Only your academic achievements and the quality of your research project are decisive.

No. Academic excellence is the decisive criterion. If two applications are of equal academic excellence, the diversity of the research areas represented at the university will be taken into account in the decision. If possible, at least one scholarship should be awarded to an international applicant.

The applications are reviewed by a selection committee with representatives from all faculties, the House of Young Talents, and an external member. Equal opportunities and disability representatives may be involved in an advisory capacity.

Applicants are usually informed two to three weeks after the application deadline whether they advance to the second round. Final decisions are communicated shortly after the presentations.

The funding consists of a non-material and a financial part. As part of the non-material funding, the HYT Young Academy supports preparation for an academic career through its own programme of events. Regular interdisciplinary events (approx. eight per semester) are organised alternately by supervising mentors and, if necessary, additional external speakers. The current semester programme can be found here. 

The financial support amounts to EUR 1,750 per month for up to three years. In addition, a fund for material grants exists to cover costs such as research trips, conferences, research-related purchases or invitations of external guests. Eligible costs are limited to a maximum of EUR 1,500 per year.

Scholarship recipients are obliged to regularly participate in events of the HYT Young Academy. In addition, a progress report on the doctoral project (approximately one page), countersigned by the mentor, as well as a current certificate of enrolment must be submitted every semester (cut-off dates: 31 March and 30 September). The primary obligation is to advance and complete the doctoral project promptly.

Yes. The scholarship is not subject to compulsory social insurance and does not include contributions for health insurance. Scholarship recipients must take out health insurance at their own expense.

No. The scholarship is tax-exempt under § 3 No. 44 EStG. However, the university is obliged to notify the competent tax authorities of the payment. Since the beginning of 2025, in addition to other personal data, it has also been mandatory to provide a valid German tax ID and date of birth.

Yes, with restrictions. Relevant employment at the University of Siegen as a research assistant is permitted with a maximum of half of the regular working hours (50%). Employment not related to the subject is permissible for a maximum of 10 hours per week.

A break is possible in justified exceptional cases, such as illness, family care or parental leave. It is also possible to interrupt the scholarship to complete a semester abroad. Further details can be found in the scholarship guidelines.

A change of mentor requires the approval of the selection committee. In any case, a signed letter of commitment from the new mentor must be submitted.

The third funding year is initially approved with reservations. After 18 months, a detailed progress report must be submitted, outlining achieved and pending milestones. Additionally, the mentor must provide an assessment of the project status and prospects for completion. Based on these documents, the selection committee decides on final approval of the third funding year.