Scholarship of Wilhelm and Günter Esser Foundation
To fund the preparation of oral defences at RUB.
The Wilhelm and Günter Esser Foundation, in collaboration with the RUB Research School, awards grants to support doctoral students from all research fields in their preparation for the oral doctoral examination (Disputatio/Rigorosum) at the Ruhr University, provided they do not have any other funding for this period.
There are two calls for applications each year: the application deadline is 14 December (funding period April–September of the following year) and 21 June (funding period October–March).
Scholarships may be applied for a period of between 1 and a maximum of 4 months. A total of 16 scholarship months may be awarded per year.
Funding
The funding is awarded as a scholarship of €1,250 per month and is paid out monthly. Applications for funding may be made for a period of between 1 and a maximum of 4 months, depending on the time expected to be required to prepare for the oral doctoral examination. The majority of the funding applied for must fall within the respective funding period. It is not possible to extend the final-year scholarship. There is no entitlement to these benefits.
Eligibility
Doctoral students at RUB who will submit their dissertation before the start of the funding period for which they are applying are eligible to apply. Applicants are asked to consult with their current funding organisation (e.g. DAAD, foundation) or their supervising department regarding possible continued funding for their doctoral studies before submitting an application.
Review criteria
In addition to financial need, other selection criteria include the applicants’ academic qualifications (duration of doctoral studies to date, scholarships and awards, and publications) and the quality of the application (coherence and clarity).
Review Process
The selection process is based on an internal assessment of the application. The assessments are forwarded to the Research School’s decision-making body – the Executive Board. The Executive Board makes the final funding recommendation, which is forwarded via the Rector’s Office to the gdf on behalf of the Esser Foundation. The RUB Research School is responsible for managing the selection process and for sending out notifications of acceptance and rejection; funding awards are made directly to the scholarship holders. Please note at this stage that funded doctoral candidates will be asked to present their doctoral projects in a public forum.
Application
To apply please send in the complete application including the following documents (combined in one PDF-file)
- completed application form (Download PDF-Form - Form function active after saving)
- Presentation of the doctoral project (max. 1-2 pages plus list of relevant literature) taking into account
- scientific question/aim
- method
- research results to date
- Letter of recommendation from a university professor, including statements on:
- scientific question/aim
- method
- research results to date
- Comment on the justification for the final grant requested.
- Relevance and feasibility of the research activities requested for the funding period for the completion of the dissertation.
- CV
- Copy Master degree
- Confirmation (with explanation, if applicable) from the previous funding organization or chair as to why continued funding of the doctorate is not possible.
Duties of scholarship holders
By accepting the final scholarship, the scholarship holders undertake to
- to use the funds for the intended purpose
- inform the Esser foundation immediately of any changes in financial circumstances or the modification or discontinuation of the funded project.
- to submit, before the start of the funding period, a confirmation of the submission of the dissertation. In the event that submission is delayed, the funding commitment remains valid for a maximum of six months.
All scholarship holders are invited by the gdf for the Esser Foundation to present their project in a multidisciplinary lecture.
Please submit the complete documents combined into a single PDF file by email by the end of the application deadline to: Dr. Nicolas Lindner.
Letters of recommendation and, if applicable, confirmation from the previous funding organization or chair as to why continued funding of the doctorate is not possible can be submitted separately by email until the end of the application period upon request.
Application Deadlines:
14.12.2026 (Decision in March, funding period April - September)
21.06.2027 (Decision in September, funding period October - March)
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