Key Scholarship Information
Finding level: Fully Funded
Host University: Berlin Graduate School of Ancient Studies (BerGSAS)
Level to study: PhD
Subjects to study: Ancient History, Archaeology, Theology
Eligibility: International Students
Host Country: Germany
Application Deadline: 03 Aug 2026
Apply now for the prestigious DAAD Graduate School Scholarship Program (GSSP) at the Berlin Graduate School of Ancient Studies (BerGSAS) — offering fully funded doctoral scholarships for international students from October 2026 to September 2030.
The DAAD-funded program is hosted by top German universities — Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin and Freie Universität Berlin — and aims to support outstanding early career researchers in the fields of archaeology, ancient studies, philology, theology, and related disciplines.
Degree Level
The Predoc Scholarship supports students who are:
Completing their Master’s degree (MA) and preparing for doctoral studies
Planning to pursue a Doctorate (PhD) at Freie Universität Berlin
Available Subjects
- Ancient Languages and Texts (ALT)
Focus: Ancient texts, philology, linguistics, digital humanities
Eligible Fields:
Ancient History, Late Antiquity, Early Middle Ages
Greek, Latin, Coptic, Ancient Oriental Languages
Egyptology, Iranian Studies, Jewish Studies
Comparative Indo-European Linguistics
Protestant Theology, Religious Studies, Roman Law
- Ancient Objects and Visual Studies (AOViS)
Focus: Image communication, archaeological artifacts, visual culture
Eligible Fields:
Ancient Oriental Studies
Classical, Near Eastern, and Prehistoric Archaeology
Egyptology and Northeast African Archaeology
- Landscape Archaeology and Architecture (LAA)
Focus: Landscape archaeology, architecture, geostatistical methods
Eligible Fields:
Classical, Near Eastern, Prehistoric Archaeology
Egyptology with a landscape focus
Benefits
Each selected PhD student will receive:
Monthly stipend of €1,300
Travel allowance
Health, accident, and liability insurance
Study and research funding
Material resources: €1,000 per year
Family and rent allowances (if applicable)
Pre-sessional German language course support
International research mobility support (up to 25% of scholarship period)
Eligible Nationalities
Open to international students of all nationalities.
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for the DAAD GSSP scholarship, applicants must:
Be a non-German citizen
Hold a master’s degree (or be close to completing it) after March 1, 2020
Not have resided in Germany continuously since before December 1, 2024
Have not previously completed a PhD
Demonstrate proficiency in English (minimum B2; C1 required for FU Berlin)
Application Procedure
Application Requirements
To be eligible for the DAAD GSSP scholarship, applicants must:
Be a non-German citizen
Hold a master’s degree (or be close to completing it) after March 1, 2020
Not have resided in Germany continuously since before December 1, 2024
Have not previously completed a PhD
Demonstrate proficiency in English (minimum B2; C1 required for FU Berlin)
Application Process and Deadline
Deadline: 15 October 2025, 00:00 CET
Where to apply: BerGSAS Application Portal
Two-Stage Selection Process:
Stage 1:
Register and submit your documents via the BerGSAS portal
Shortlisted candidates will be invited to an online interview
Stage 2:
Final decision made by DAAD, following university admission procedures
Required Documents
Copy of degrees and transcripts (B.A. and M.A.)
Proof of English language proficiency
Research proposal
Two letters of recommendation (one from your home university)
Curriculum vitae
Referees must send the letters directly to:
application@berliner-antike-kolleg.org
Additional Admission Options
Applicants may also apply for study places (without funding) in the following BerGSAS programs:
Ancient Languages and Texts
Ancient Objects and Visual Studies
Landscape Archaeology and Architecture
Ancient Philosophy and History of Science
Deadlines for Study Place Applications:
Winter semester (October 2026 start): Apply by April 30, 2026
FAQs
- Can I apply if I have not yet received my master’s degree certificate?
Yes, but you must have submitted and received a grade for your master’s thesis by the application deadline. Final documentation will be required before enrollment.
- Do I need to submit proof of German language skills?
No, but scholarship recipients are encouraged to attend a pre-sessional German language course funded by DAAD.
- What makes a strong application?
A compelling research proposal aligned with the chosen program’s focus, excellent academic performance, strong recommendation letters, and clearly demonstrated language skills (especially in ancient languages and English).
Application Link:
https://www.scholarshipsads.com/bergsas-daad-germany-scholarships-2026-fully-funded-19nov2026
