Advising for Doctoral Candidates
Are you considering pursuing a doctorate at a university of applied sciences in North Rhine–Westphalia? Have you already made your decision and need support with the first steps? Are you looking for funding opportunities? We are happy to assist you with any questions related to pursuing a doctorate at a university of applied sciences. On this page you will find information about our advising services.
Initial Advising Contacts
Are you about to successfully complete your master’s degree and considering pursuing a doctorate in the context of a university of applied sciences? Initial advising for prospective doctoral candidates is provided at our supporting universities of applied sciences. They offer contact points for their graduates that provide advising and support in assessing whether pursuing a doctorate is the right path for them and in making a personal decision.
Are you not affiliated with one of our supporting universities of applied sciences, or do you have further questions about pursuing a doctorate at the Doctoral School NRW? Please contact us.
Individual Advising at the Doctoral School NRW
We are happy to assist you with any questions related to your doctorate at the Doctoral School NRW. We provide confidential and independent advising. Please schedule an appointment by phone or email.
For discipline-specific aspects of your doctorate, please contact the coordinator of the relevant department directly or your supervisor at the Doctoral School NRW.
For discipline-specific aspects of your doctorate
Please contact the coordinators of the respective departments.
Find an overview of the department coordinators.
Janina Obermeyer
Advanced doctoral advising, funding questions, funding opportunities
+49 234 36186 9789
Funding Opportunities for Doctoral Candidates
The Doctoral School NRW offers a wide range of measures to support doctoral candidates – from conference and publication grants to doctoral positions. The goal is to support doctoral candidates at every stage of their doctoral studies with suitable funding opportunities, enabling them to focus on their research and academic careers.
Publication Grants
Publication grants are available for:
- Publication of the dissertation (monograph or cumulative dissertation)
- doctorate-related publications (any fees incurred for publication in a traditional journal or for Open Access publications in a recognized disciplinary journal)
Conference Grants
Support is provided for participation in national and international academic conferences for the purpose of networking within the relevant scientific community.
Doctoral Positions
The aim of this measure is to support excellent early-career researchers on their path toward a doctorate by awarding doctoral positions (individual funding). Initially, all doctoral candidates admitted to one of the Doctoral School NRW’s eight departments are eligible to apply. The funding application is submitted in cooperation with the supervising professor at the Doctoral School NRW.
We have compiled detailed information on the framework conditions, benefits, and submission deadlines for the respective measures under Funding Opportunities.
Janina Obermeyer
Advanced doctoral advising, funding questions, funding opportunities
+49 234 36186 9789
Conflict Advising
Conflict advising is intended to help resolve conflicts that arise from the supervisory relationship or from work on the dissertation. In cases of conflict, you may contact the ombudsperson at your university of applied sciences directly or the Ombudsman for Science in Germany. You are also welcome to seek individual advising from us in advance.
Your request will be treated confidentially, and information will not be shared with third parties.
Prof. Dr. Klaus Maas
Ombudsperson of the Doctoral School NRW
The ombudsperson provides advising, support, and mediation both on matters of good scientific practice and, in particular, in cases in which they become aware of suspected academic misconduct.
Ombuds Committee for Research Integrity in Germany
The Ombuds Committee for Research Integrity in Germany provides support to researchers across the country by offering guidance and assistance in matters involving good research practice and issues of scientific integrity.
Carolin Schuchert
Managing Director
Managing Director and mediator in accordance with the guidelines of the German Federal Association for Mediation (Bundesverband Mediation e.V.)
