Barbara Wengeler Foundation Doctoral Scholarships 2026

The Barbara Wengeler Foundation aims to promote young researchers in the fields of networking and exchange between philosophy on the one hand and neuroscience and/or cognitive science and/or artificial intelligence on the other , particularly through the support of doctoral candidates.

Supporting doctoral candidates through the awarding of doctoral scholarships is a primary objective of the foundation. These scholarships are intended to support highly qualified doctoral candidates who are pursuing, or intend to pursue, a challenging interdisciplinary dissertation project that promises to make a significant scientific contribution in the aforementioned fields. The foundation expressly invites university professors to nominate their best doctoral candidates for doctoral funding.

Table of Content

• Summary
• Benefits
• Requirements
• Application Documents
• Application Deadline
• How To Apply

Summary

• Application DeadlineNot Specified
• Study LevelPhD
• SponsorBarbara Wengeler Foundation
• Eligible CountryAll Countries

Benefits

• A scholarship of currently €1,700 per month
• A research cost allowance of €100 per month
• Financial support for conference participation and research stays abroad can be applied for separately.

Funding period

The standard funding period is three years. If necessary to ensure the success of the funding or the quality of the scientific work, it can be extended a maximum of two times by a maximum of six months each time, but in no case beyond four years (maximum funding period).

Requirements

• A swiftly completed course of study in philosophy, neuroscience, or cognitive science
• Maximum age of 30 years, in justified cases of 33 years at the end of the funding period.
• A university degree that is well above average and was obtained no more than one year ago
• A scientifically demanding dissertation project that can be completed within three years
• Admission to doctoral studies at a German university
• Submission of the dissertation to a German university
• No other financial security for the doctoral studies (e.g. employment or doctoral scholarship from another institution).

Application Documents

The following documents must be submitted, combined into a single PDF file:

• A fully written-out CV with an additional tabular overview
• A proposal for the dissertation project (max. 15 pages) with information on the state of research and relevant literature, preliminary work, methodology and planned approach, including a rough timetable in German or English.
• In addition to the letter of recommendation and short report from the primary supervisor, a report from a second university professor (professor, m/f/d), each from a second subject area mentioned above, is required.
• A copy of the degree certificate
• A summary of the written examination paper (if one was prepared) on two to three pages in German or English.

Incomplete application documents and applications from persons who do not meet all formal requirements cannot be considered.

Application Deadline

How To Apply

• There are no fixed deadlines; written applications are accepted at any time. Applications must be submitted exclusively by email to the board of the Barbara Wengeler Foundation (Applications should be sent to [email protected] .

For more information, kindly visit the Barbara Wengeler Foundation webage.