Gerda Henkel Foundation: PHD Scholarships Grant

Gerda Henkel Foundation: PHD Scholarships Grant

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: Gerda Henkel Foundation
Last Updated: November 22, 2025

Summary

The Gerda Henkel Foundation offers PhD scholarships aimed at supporting young scholars in the historical humanities. Applications are accepted year-round, with recipients selected quarterly. Candidates must have exceptional academic backgrounds, including a graduation grade of 1.5 or better, and be under 28 years old at graduation. The foundation emphasizes research in history, archaeology, and art history, promoting cultural heritage preservation, especially in crisis regions.

Overview

NOTE:  Applications for PhD scholarships are considered throughout the year. Recipients of PhD scholarships will be selected four times a year. The review and approval process of a complete application is generally completed within six months. Please note that the review and approval process does not begin until the two required letters of recommendation have also been received. The Foundation’s bodies will meet and decide on the present application at the earliest date possible. We would ask you not to contact us by phone on this matter.About the Foundation The Gerda Henkel Foundation provides financial support for the historical humanities. Research projects that explore current issues in a larger historical context or consciously focus on topics of relevance to the present or the future receive support from programmes of a limited duration such as the the special programme “Forced Migration”, or the “Democracy” and “Lost Cities” funding programmes. As part of the Lisa Maskell Fellowship programme, the Foundation supports young scholars in the humanities in Africa. With its “Patrimonies” funding initiative, it promotes the preservation of the cultural heritage, specifically in regions experiencing crisis. In connection with funded projects, the Foundation also provides assistance for social support measures as part of complementary projects. The Gerda Henkel Foundation can by virtue of its statutes pursue its objectives both inside and outside Germany. Support is primarily provided for the historical humanities, in particular to support research projects in the following fields: Archaeology Art History Historical Islamic Studies History History of Law History of Science Prehistory and Early History The aim of this scholarship programme is to support highly qualified young scholars. The Foundation will only consider applicants who have proven their exceptional talents by means of their achievements in their studies and the results of their examinations and whose dissertations are expected to be well above the average. The duration and course of the studies, final grade, age and any special qualifications will play a significant role in the selection process. The Gerda Henkel Foundation concentrates its support on the historical humanities, mainly on history, archaeology, the history of art and other disciplines with a historical component. The Gerda Henkel Foundation is active both inside and outside Germany.

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. Overall graduation grade (Masters, or for German State Examinations Sek. II): 1.5 or better (foreign graduation certificates will be assessed separately).The applicant must not have been older than 28 years of age at the point in time when s/he graduated and qualified to take part in a PhD programme. If an applicant was aged 25 when graduating, then he or she can still apply to the Foundation for a Ph.D. scholarship when aged 35. This age limit shall be extended to take the following situations into account: night school, bringing up children, military service, work experience, and other exceptional circumstances.

Ineligibility

PhD scholarships for a duration of less than 12 monthsTravel stipends for PhD candidatesNo college tuition feesScholarship cannot be granted if the person is also receiving a salary or drawing a pensionFinal scholarships (a grant that succeeds another grant exceeding 12 months and bestowed by a different party and/or the application for a scholarship not exceeding 12 months)