RUB-Grants 2009 awarded within the framework of the Grant-Programme of the Ruhr-University Research School

Scope of the programme

Promotion of early stage researchers by awarding grants to highly qualified doctoral candidates realising an ambitious and innovative research project in one of the research areas of Ruhr-University Bochum. We also encourage all doctoral candidates to apply with an interdisciplinary research project. The application is open for candidates from every scientific discipline and nationality intending to realise their research project at the Ruhr-University Bochum (you have to submit your doctoral thesis at Ruhr-Universität Bochum).

The application must be completed by the confirmation of a first supervisor at RUB – please build up contacts to one of the scientists at RUB and ask for supervision. We would like to encourage you to take your time for your orientation within the research area you are interested in and which might be subject of your Ph.D. You know best about your scientific main focus and in which special research field you want to obtain your doctorate. Please act independently and identify at an early stage a potential supervisor by your own

The earliest start of funding will be March 1, 2010.

Guidelines

Target Group

Graduates of all disciplines with a university degree qualifying for doctoral studies.

Requirements

• we expect your research project to give an important contribution to the corresponding research field (please outline this in a research exposé of 5 pages)
  
  
• clearly above average university degree
  
  
• uninterrupted studies (in case your total study took more than 13 semester/ 6,5 years please give an explanation)
  
  
• as a rule the university degree qualifying for doctoral studies has to be obtained not longer than 12 months ago with reference to the application deadline for the grants - we concede reasonable exceptions (please give an explanation)
  
  
• the university degree qualifying for doctoral studies has to be submitted at the latest until November 13, 2009 before the application will be given to the faculties for further survey and expertise (Bachelor degree in case of fast track procedure plus information about grades already obtained in the master studies)
  
  
• candidates who have to fulfil additional requirements are also allowed to apply for a grant (first supervisor is responsible for compatibility between fulfilment of requirements and successful doctorate)
  
  
• candidates with a Bachelor degree involved in the fast track procedure are also allowed to apply for a grant; the official admission to doctoral studies from the  faculty has to be submitted before the funding will start
  
  
• if you are already admitted to doctoral studies at Ruhr-University Bochum please enclose the official admission statement of the faculty to your application
  
  
• if you are not admitted to doctoral studies at Ruhr-University Bochum we need a statement of the faculty that you will be admitted to doctoral studies in case of funding (at the faculty you will realise your research project) if you are invited to the second stage of the admission process

Application

The application form “Grant-Programme” of the Research School has to be used for application. The application form and the corresponding notes for guidance will help you through the application process.

Admission process and decision (2 stage process)

• a hardcopy of the application form with 2 letters of reference and all necessary documents have to be sent to the Central Coordination Office until October 31, 2009
  
  
• on the basis of the application the faculties and rapporteurs will generate a preliminary ranking of the candidates
  
  
• on the basis of this preliminary ranking the Executive Board will invite the best candidates (end of January 2010) for a research colloquium
  
  
• research colloquium and the ensuing choice and recommendation by the rapporteurs will take place on February 8, 2010
  
  
• the final decision of the Executive Board will be made on Feburary 10, 2010

Type of funding and amount

The grant amounts to 1.000,- Euro per month, children`s allowance amounts to 100,- Euro per month in addition.

Period of funding and of approval

Max. 36 months of funding are provided, whereas the period of first approval comprises 12 months. We offer 2 times for prolongation – each comprising 12 months - after having reviewed your progress report.

Interruption

In case of illness the grant will be paid for further 6 weeks. In case of pregnancy the grant payment will be intermitted for a time period of 14 weeks (6 weeks before and 8 weeks after childbirth). The approval may be extended for this period of time  respectively.

Secondary employment

During the funding period a short-time work of max. 6 hours per week is allowed

Duties of the grantee

• participation in the structured doctoral training programme of the Research School, follow the Individual Training and Supervision Plan of the Research School, take actively part in the Research School
  
  
• communicate immediately all important  changes of the personal conditions as well as interruptions, changes or abandonment of the research project
  
  
• adequate use of the grant