The Cluster of Excellence ¡°Imaginamics: Practices and Dynamics of Social Imagining¡± is awarding three bridge scholarships in the 2026/2027 academic year to support outstanding Master¡¯s graduates in their transition to doctoral studies.
The bridge scholarships are designed to support early-career researchers in their transition from Master¡¯s to doctoral studies by providing them with financial resources to refine research proposals, gain research experience and bridge funding gaps.
Eligibility for funding requires above-average academic performance with a Master¡¯s degree from the University of Jena (FSU Jena) or from universities participating in the Cluster of Excellence, as well as a keen interest in the research questions within the Cluster of Excellence¡¯s field. The proposed PhD topic should have a clear thematic connection. A willingness to actively participate in interdisciplinary cluster activities is expected.
The ¡°Imaginamics¡± Cluster of Excellence is an externally funded, cross-faculty research initiative at Friedrich Schiller University Jena that examines the phenomenon of social imagining from an interdisciplinary perspective. Unlike previous approaches, which have mostly been content-oriented, the cluster focuses on the process of social imagination and the associated practices and dynamics. Further information on the Cluster of Excellence can be found at?www.uni-jena.de/imaginamics?de.

What we expect

• The cluster awards grants to bridge the gap between the completion of a Master¡¯s degree and the start of a PhD. These grants enable outstanding graduates to develop ideas for dissertation projects. The following is expected of scholarship holders: 1) Literature review (4 pages) by the 3rd month of funding, 2) Research proposal (6¨C12 pages) by the 7th month of funding, 3) Presentation of the dissertation project as part of the cluster¡¯s activities by the 12th month of funding (for a funding period of 12 months).
• Regular attendance (usually Tue¨CThu) in Jena and active participation in research seminars and working groups are required.
• The basis for the application is an excellent Master¡¯s degree (grade 1.0¨C1.9), obtained no more than 15 months prior to the application deadline. If a degree certificate is not yet available, a suitable provisional document and a statement from the supervisor are required. The Master¡¯s thesis must have been submitted by the end of the application deadline. A prerequisite for the start of the scholarship is the availability of the degree certificate upon signing the scholarship contract.
• A good command of German and English is regarded as essential for active collaboration within the working contexts of the Cluster of Excellence.

What we offer

• The Bridge Scholarships provide a monthly grant of €1,500 for a period of 6 to a maximum of 12 months. A funding period of 12 months is recommended. The scholarship holders are scheduled to join the cluster on 1 October 2026.
• Fellows will be admitted to the ¡°Imaginamics¡° Research School and will benefit from all the training and further education opportunities offered by the graduate school.
• At the start of the funding period, all fellows will be offered the opportunity for an individual introductory consultation.
• Peer feedback on the literature review and research proposal is provided as part of the Research School¡¯s fortnightly research seminar.
• In the 10th month of the funding period, scholarship holders may attend an evaluation and consultation meeting with the Research School¡¯s management to discuss perspectives within the Cluster of Excellence.

To apply, please submit the standard documents (cover letter, CV, certificates, transcripts) in a single, searchable PDF file.
Please also attach a writing sample as a separate (searchable) PDF file (term paper, BA thesis, MA thesis, etc.) and a description of your doctoral research proposal (topic, research question, disciplinary background, max. 2 pages) in German or English.

Please send your application by 11 June 2026 to?researchschool-imaginamics@uni-jena.de.
If you have any questions about the application process, please don¡¯t hesitat to contact us at?lena.dallywater@uni-jena.de. ?

Selection will be made by a selection committee. Interviews are expected to take place in early July 2026 (calendar weeks 27/28).

Download Call for Applicationspdf,?218?kb?¡¤?de?