Applications are now open for the Dresden Leibniz Graduate School Scholarship 2027, a fully funded doctoral scholarship in Germany for outstanding international and domestic graduates interested in sustainable urban mobility research. The scholarship is offered by the Dresden Leibniz Graduate School (DLGS), a joint initiative of the Leibniz Institute of Ecological Urban and Regional Development (IOER) and TU Dresden.
The Dresden Leibniz Graduate School Scholarship offers selected candidates a full-time scholarship for three years to pursue an interdisciplinary PhD project. Successful applicants will receive a monthly scholarship of €1,515, along with additional financial support for travel and research activities.
The 2027 call focuses on the annual research theme, “Levers for Sustainable Urban Mobility Transformations,” encouraging doctoral researchers to develop innovative solutions that support sustainable transport systems, spatial planning, governance, business models, urban informatics, and data-driven decision-making.
Applications must be submitted through the official online application portal by 1 September 2026, while the doctoral programme will begin on 1 March 2027.
WhatsApp ChannelQuick Overview of Dresden Leibniz Graduate School Scholarship
- Host Institution: Dresden Leibniz Graduate School (DLGS), Leibniz Institute of Ecological Urban and Regional Development (IOER) and TU Dresden
- Study Level: PhD (Doctoral Scholarship)
- Location: Dresden, Germany
- Scholarship Duration: 3 years
- Application Deadline: 1 September 2026
- Programme Start: 1 March 2027
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About the Dresden Leibniz Graduate School Scholarship
The Dresden Leibniz Graduate School supports interdisciplinary doctoral research addressing major sustainability challenges related to urban mobility and spatial development.
The 2027 scholarship call focuses on research that explores how cities can develop more sustainable, inclusive, and resilient mobility systems. Applicants are expected to propose an original doctoral research project that aligns with the research profile of the IOER while contributing innovative solutions using interdisciplinary approaches.
Projects may combine qualitative, quantitative, empirical, conceptual, modelling, or data science methods depending on the research topic.
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Scholarship Benefits
Selected doctoral researchers will receive:
- Monthly scholarship of €1,515
- Full funding for three years
- Travel support
- Research funding
- Supervision by researchers at TU Dresden and IOER
- Opportunity to conduct interdisciplinary doctoral research in Germany
Research Topics
Applicants should develop a research proposal addressing at least one of the following areas:
- Public policy, governance, and planning for sustainable mobility
- Institutional design and planning instruments
- Sustainable business models for mobility services
- Data-driven methods, models, and digital tools
- Spatial data science and urban informatics
- Integrated approaches connecting public policy, business, and civil society
- Inclusive mobility systems for vulnerable groups
- Urban mobility transformation and spatial planning
The programme particularly welcomes interdisciplinary research that combines knowledge from multiple academic fields.
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must meet all of the following requirements:
- Hold a first Master’s degree obtained within the last three years
- Have above-average academic performance (equivalent to the German grade “gut” or higher)
- Submit an original research proposal aligned with the IOER research profile
- Identify potential supervisors from TU Dresden or IOER (prior contact is not required)
- Submit a complete application before the deadline through the online application system
Applicants from disciplines including, but not limited to, the following are encouraged to apply:
- Transport studies
- Urban and regional planning
- Geography
- Data science
- Urban informatics
- Economics
- Business
- Sociology
- Political science
- Transition studies
- Innovation studies
For research projects involving transdisciplinary work linked to ongoing IOER activities in the Dresden and Saxony region, applicants must demonstrate German language proficiency at C1 level.
Required Application Documents
Applicants are expected to prepare the documents requested in the official online application system. These include:
- Completed online application
- Master’s degree information
- Research proposal
- Academic records
- Other supporting documents required by DLGS
Applications submitted by email or post will not be accepted, and incomplete applications will not be considered.
Application Deadline
The deadline to apply for the Dresden Leibniz Graduate School Scholarship 2027 is 1 September 2026.
The doctoral programme begins on 1 March 2027.
How to Apply
Interested applicants must submit their applications through the official Dresden Leibniz Graduate School online application portal before the deadline. Applications sent by email or postal mail will not be accepted. Applicants should carefully review the eligibility requirements and prepare a research proposal that matches the programme’s 2027 research theme before submitting their application.
