Graduate Academy Heidelberg University

Hardship Grant for International Doctoral Researchers

The Graduate Academy at Heidelberg University offers hardship grants to support international doctoral researchers whose ability to continue or complete their doctoral project is at risk due to circumstances beyond their control. The program provides two types of support: interim financing for temporary financial support during advanced stages of an ongoing doctoral project, and completion financing to facilitate the completion of a doctoral project. The grant is specifically designed for doctoral researchers experiencing critical financial situations during their research, preferably at the completion stage. Recipients must demonstrate that their doctoral training is already well advanced and present either a clear plan to submit their dissertation by the end of the funding period or a convincing plan outlining how they will stabilize their situation and secure financing for the remainder of their project. This emergency funding is awarded only in cases of exceptionally difficult situations and should not be considered as a substitute for regular funding programs.