Here you will find an overview of funding opportunities for doctoral candidates.

• Doctoral funding / completion scholarships

  Doctoral scholarships

  IZKF doctoral scholarshipsExternal link
  This programme supports students in human and dental medicine.

  Completion funding

  Short-term scholarships for international doctoral researchers
  This programme is intended to bridge the period between the submission of the dissertation and the defense.

  Doctoral completion scholarships
  This programme supports the completion of doctoral projects that are already at an advanced stage.

• Research expenses and mobility funding

  Project-related research expenses

  Funding programme "Gender in Focus"
  A thematic funding programme at improving research quality by taking biological sex and/or socio-cultural gender aspects into account in research work.

  Publication costs

  Open Access Publication Fund of the ThULBExternal link
  This programme provides grants for publications in open-access journals.

  ProChance exchange
  This programme supports scientific exchange among female researchers in early career stages.

  Conference funding / support for scientific exchange
  
  IMPULSE conferences
  A funding programme supporting conference travel.

  IZKF travel grantsExternal link
  This programme supports doctoral candidates employed at the Faculty of Medicine.

  ProChance exchange?
  A programme supporting scientific exchange among female researchers in early career stages..?

  Event organization
  
  LIFE Conference - for researchers in the life sciences
  A programme supporting planned conferences in Jena with national and/or international visibility. During the conference, a LIFE satellite event such as a panel discussion or world café related to the conference topic must be held.

  Emergency funding

  LIFE Assist Fund - for projects in the life sciences
  This programme provides support in difficult situations—such as illness, pregnancy, or equipment failure—by enabling research to continue quickly and unbureaucratically through partial coverage of unforeseen costs.

  Start-up support

  EXIST Women
  A programme specifically supporting women interested in founding a start-up over one year through individual coaching, events, mentoring, and a stipend.

  StarTH project funding
  Financial support for start-up-related projects in preparation for programms such as EXIST or GO-Bio initial, or for market entry. Eligible ideas must demonstrate feasibility and market potential. Support is provided with minimal bureaucracy.

  NextStep
  NextStep supports innovative ideas with a clear practical or societal impact across all disciplines—from digital tools and technical prototypes to social innovations.?

  ?

• Preparation of third-party funding application

  LIBERTY Connect Fund - for researchers in the humanities and social sciences
  Supports the development of research projects as a basis for applying for third-party funding. The allocated funds are intended to establish and strengthen collaborations between researchers across different disciplines, institutes, and faculties.

  LIFE Connect Fund - for projects in the life sciences
  Supports the development of research projects in the life sciences as a basis for applying for third-party funding. The allocated funds are intended to establish and strengthen collaborations between researchers across different disciplines, institutes, and faculties.
  
  StarTH project funding
  Financial support for start-up-related projects in preparation for programms such as EXIST or GO-Bio initial, or for market entry. Eligible ideas must demonstrate feasibility and market potential. Support is provided with minimal bureaucracy.

  NextStep
  NextStep supports innovative ideas with a clear practical or societal impact across all disciplines—from digital tools and technical prototypes to social innovations.?

  FreiRaum start-up preparation
  A low-threshold infrastructure support programme offering free office and co-working spaces for members of the university interested in starting a business, including individual mentoring and networking through the K1 Start-up Service.

• Funding for knowledge transfer

  EXIST Women
  A programme specifically supporting women interested in founding a start-up over one year through individual coaching, events, mentoring, and a stipend.

  StarTH project funding
  Financial support for start-up-related projects in preparation for programs such as EXIST or GO-Bio initial, or for market entry. Eligible ideas must demonstrate feasibility and market potential. Support is provided with minimal bureaucracy.

  NextStep
  NextStep supports innovative ideas with a clear practical or societal impact across all disciplines—from digital tools and technical prototypes to social innovations.?

  FreiRaum start-up preparation
  A low-threshold infrastructure support programme offering free office and co-working spaces for members of the university interested in starting a business, including individual mentoring and networking through the K1 Start-up Service.

• Funding for infrastructure

  FreiRaum start-up preparation
  A low-threshold infrastructure support programme offering free office and co-working spaces for members of the university interested in starting a business, including individual mentoring and networking through the K1 Start-up Service.

• Promotion of equal opportunities

  ProChance exchange
  This programme supports scientific exchange among female researchers in early career stages.

  Rowena-Morse-ProgrammeExternal link
  Mentoring programme for female doctoral candidates and postdocs in the orientation phase.

  EXIST Women
  A programme specifically supporting women interested in founding a start-up over one year through individual coaching, events, mentoring, and a stipend.

• Prizes and awards

  LIFE Talent Award
  The award recognizes outstanding achievements in the life sciences and supports early-career researchers with a focus on innovation, scientific excellence, and societal relevance.

  Sponsorship Award "Gender Aspects in Focus"
  A thematic award aimed at improving research quality by taking biological sex and/or socio-cultural gender aspects into account in research work.