LGF Individual Scholarships

In order to apply for the scholarship in the framework of the Graduate Funding from the State (LGF) for a first year, the following documents have to be handed in  (new forms will be provided in good time before the next call for applications):

• Application form ▶ First Approval LGF completed and signed by the applicant (PDF-Format)
• Short description of your doctoral project including a work plan and a time schedule (maximum of five pages)
• Form ▶ Statement LGF (PDF-Format) completed and signed by your doctoral supervisor (does not replace the expert opinion).
• Two expert opinions from (junior / associate) professors:
  1. Reference letter from the supervisor of your doctoral project which includes
     • a reliable answer to the question as to how you intend to finance your doctoral research in the case that your doctoral research period exceeds the funding period,
     • an assessment of the applicant's qualifications in comparison to others in the same graduating year/class on a percentage basis.
  2. A second reference letter from a (junior / associate) professor.
• Certificates and transcript of records (or similar) for your Bachelor's and Master's degree (or equivalent). If applicable all documents need to be handed in both in the original language and as a German or English translation (if possible by your home university).
• Tabular CV, in particular listing information concerning your course of study up to now
  • If applicable, complete list of scientific publications and conference contributions. Please indicate if your were first author and if the publication was peer-reviewed. 
• Form ▶ Declaration of implementation of the LGFG (completed and signed by the applicant)
• If you apply for family allowance: Please additionally hand in a written confirmation from the Residents' Registration Office ("Einwohnermeldeamt") stating that your child or children live in your household

• Please complete the table ▶ LGF-Key Data and submit it separately in Excel format.

The forms have to be filled in digitally and signed personally. Please merge all documents (apart from the Excel file) to one single PDF file in the exact order as stated above and submit this together with the the Excel file via e-mail to ▶ lgf15∂khys kit edu. 

The statement of the supervisor as well as both expert opinions can also be handed in seperately by your supervisor and the second expert.

The following documents are to be submitted in electronic form in the order listed below in a single PDF file by e-mail to ▶ lgf15∂khys kit edu (new forms will be provided in late August 2025):

• LGF application form for ▶ continued approval, completed and signed by the applicant
• Work report outlining the factual and chronological progress of the work to date and the work plan and timetable for solving the outstanding problems (maximum length five pages).
• Expert opinion (letter of reference) from your doctoral supervisor (professor respectively junior or associate professor); can be submitted separately
• form ▶ Declaration on the implementation of the LGFG completed and signed by the applicant (PDF format)

• If a new application for family allowance is submitted: Proof from the Residents' Registration Office ("Einweohnermeldeamt") that the child or children live in the same household (not necessary if already submitted with the initial application or during the year).

The Scholarship Awards Committee (LGF) decides on applications for both first and continued approval at its meeting, which is usually held in mid-November each year. We will inform you of the outcome of your application in writing. Please refrain from making inquiries in the meantime.

Special characteristics of the first approval: After the formal check at KHYS, the applications will be forwarded to committees at the respective KIT-departments. Here the applications will be assessed and ranked. The final decision takes into account the ranking and evaluation of the respective department's committees.

How likely is it that I will be granted a scholarship? 
This question cannot be answered in advance as it depends on the number and quality of applications.

Is there an age limit?
No.

Are doctoral students at the Campus Alpin (IFU Bayern) also eligible to apply?
Yes, but they must be accepted as a doctoral candidate at a KIT department.

May my work plan including the time schedule exceed five pages?
No. Please adhere to the specified guidelines.

Do I have to add an application photo to my CV?
There are neither advantages nor disadvantages for you if you submit an application photo

How should I submit the supervisor's statement and the two expert opinions (reference letters)?
The two reference letters can be sent directly by the supervisor respectively the second expert via lgf15∂khys.kit.edu. The same applies to the supervisor's statement. We will then complete your application documents.

I do not have a second supervisor for my dissertation yet. What should I enter in the corresponding column of the Excel table "Key Data LGF"?
You should enter the name of the person who provided you with the second "expert opinion" (reference letter).

I have just completed my studies and not yet received my Master's degree certificate is not yet available? Can I still apply?
If you already have your final grades and you are only wainting for the Master's degree certificate, experience has shown that it makes sense to apply. Please inform us about this. Furthermore, please note that you also need to be accepted as a doctoral researcher by your KIT department (see next question).

My acceptance as a doctoral candidate at a KIT department has not yet been confirmed? Can I still apply?
If you have already applied for acceptance as a doctoral researcher at your KIT department and are just waiting for the reply, experience has shown that it makes sense to apply. Please inform us about this, when you apply. The Scholarship Awards Committee (LGF) is responsible for making the decision in this case. Funding will definitely be excluded if you have not been accepted by the KIT department by the start of the scholarship period.

Do I have to be accepted as a doctoral researcher at a KIT department at the start of the LGF scholarship?
According to § 2 (1) of the Act on Graduate Funding from the State (LGFG), the ▶ Acceptance as a doctoral candidate is a prerequisite for funding. Without acceptance at the start of the scholarship period, no funding is possible.

Do I have to be enrolled as a doctoral candidate at KIT at the start of the LGF scholarship?
You do not have to be enrolled in order to apply for an LGF scholarship. Irrespective of your application for the scholarship, you are obliged ▶ to enroll soon after receiving confirmation of your acceptance as a doctoral researcher from your KIT department.

What is the composition of the selection committee that decides on the applications?
The Scholarships Awards Committee (LGF) is usually chaired by the Vice President Academic Affairs of KIT, Prof. Dr. Oliver Kraft, or alternatively the Vice Provost Early Career Researchers, Prof. Dr. Stefan Hinz. In accordance with the LGF statutes of KIT (§11), five university lecturers, the spokesperson of the Equal Opportunities Officer and two academic or research assistants are also members of the committee.

• ▶ Act on Graduate Funding from the State (LGFG) as of July, 23, 2008 (available only in German)
• ▶ LGF statutes of KIT as of August 11, 2025 (available only in German).
• ▶ Privacy policy of the Graduate Funding from the State (LGF) as of August tt, 2025

• You receive the notification of approval of funding by post and digitally.
• Please take note of all additional information provided and read the information sheets sent with the notifications carefully.
• To rule out any double funding, you may have to withdraw from already existing grants.
• Employment contracts may need to be adjusted (see statute § 6 additional income and information under “Gainful employment and other funding during the scholarship”). Upon lapse of the employee status at KIT (employment contract at KIT) the employee ∂does-not-exist.kit edu address expires. A ▶ KIT account for the scholarship holders has to be newly requested by the institute.
• If and when there is an existing employment relationship with KIT, or one is to be concluded, the scholarship holder has to inform the service unit Human Resources (PSE) of the scholarship. An additional employment contract with KIT is only possible if there is no connection in terms of content, location and time with the activities within the framework of the scholarship.
• Third-party grants must also be compatible with the scholarship, even if they were applied for before the start of the scholarship (see § 6 of the LGF statutes and information under “Gainful employment and other funding during the scholarship”)
• Scholarship holders are responsible for their own health insurance.
• Check your immatriculation status: All LGF scholarship holders are obliged to ▶ enroll as doctoral students. If you are not yet enrolled, please do so.
• The monthly payments are transferred at the beginning of each month to the account you stated in your application form.

Please note the following with regard to gainful employment and other funding during the funding period:

• You are obliged to report all additional earnings (from employment or third-party subidies) to KHYS respectively the coordinating office of your Cooperative Doctoral Program.
• Your earnings (from employment or third-party grants) during the scholarship period may not cumulatively exceed an exemption limit per year that corresponds to the gross salary of a 0.25 TV-L E 13 level 3 position. If the additional earnings are spread over shorter periods than one calendar year, the exemption limit is reduced by 1/12 per calendar month. Higher additional earnings are not compatible with the LGF scholarship.
• Gainful employment in addition to the scholarship is possible within the above-mentioned exemption limit, provided that it does not interfere with the doctoral project, i.e. the time required should not exceed a quarter of the regular working hours of a full-time job.
• If and when there is an existing employment relationship with KIT, or one is to be concluded, the scholarship holder has to inform the service unit Human Resources (PSE) of the scholarship. An additional employment contract with KIT is only possible if there is no connection in terms of content, location and time with the activities within the framework of the scholarship.
• Third-party grants (in particular for travel costs) can be used during the scholarship period and within the above-mentioned exemption limit. 
• Other full scholarships to finance the doctorate are not compatible with the LGF scholarship

Maternity protection regulations

The scholarship is automatically extended by the number of months rounded up from the statutory maternity protection period. Please contact the KHYS (or the coordinating office of the Cooperative Doctoral Program)

Family allowance

Within the scope of the funding a family allowance can be applied for (see Satzung des KIT zur Durchführung des LGFG, § 2 Fördersätze (available in German only). A family allowance of 400 euros per month for the first child, 100 euros per month for each additional child (applies to children living in the same household and up to the age of 18). You can apply:

• Together with your scholarship application (see application documents).
• During the scholarship period from the month of the birth of your chilld. For this, you can use the application form ▶ family allowance (DOCX file). Additionally, please hand in a written confirmation from the Residents' Registration Office ("Einwohnermeldeamt") stating that your child lives in your household

According to the Law on Graduate Funding from the State (LGFG), §8, and the LGF statutes of KIT, §7, the scholarship period can be suspended in exceptional cases, particularly due to to illness, pregnancy, special family circumstances, or other important reasons.

The terms, conditions and requirements must be checked in each individual case. Please contact KHYS respectively the coordinating office of the Cooperative Doctoral Program in good time.

If applicable, please also read the information on stays abroad. 

Scholarship holders are generally permitted to spend research time outside of Germany during the Graduate Funding from the State (LGF) scholarship period. On our website you can find a list of ▶ funding institutions that can financially support your research stay abroad.

Without interruption of the scholarship:

During the LGF funding period the scholarship holder may apply for partial fundings and scholarships (third-party-subsidies) for a research stay abroad

One example ist the DAAD Additional Scholarship (▶ GraFög Aufstockungsstipendium), specifically aimed at graduates who are funded with  scholarships according to the laws on graduate funding from the German states (such as the LGFG in Baden-Württemberg) and who require a stay abroad to carry out their doctoral research project. Duration of funding: 1 to 12 months

Please note: third-party grants are only compatible with the scholarship if they do not exceed the exemption limit (gross salary of a 0.25 TV-L E 13 level 3 position) in combination with any gainful employment. Please clarify your project with KHYS respectively - if applicable - the coordinating office of your cooperative doctoral college at an early stage.

With interruption of the scholarship:

Financial aid from the LGF may be suspended for a maximum of one year if a scholarship holder is spending a research period abroad and has applied for the suspension. During the requested suspension period, the scholarship holder may receive a different full scholarship.

One option might be the ▶ KHYS Research Travel Grant for a three to six-month research stay at a university or a company abroad (support for travel and subsistence expenses). Dabei sind insbesondere folgende Voraussetzungen zu beachten: 

• Interruption of the Graduate Funding from the German States for the duration of the stay.
• Employment at an institute of KIT / work group (must be at least equivalent to a part time E13-position).
• Research stay abroad must be an extension of the doctoral project, not an original part.
• No funding for the participation in congresses and conferences.

The KHYS offers are open to all LGF scholarship holders:

• The KHYS further eduction program ▶ FIT for your Next Career Step is tailored to the content of each important phase of your doctoral project.
• In our ▶ event calendar you will always find the latest dates for upcoming events.
• ▶ Personal counseling and advice on all aspects of doctoral studies (e.g. funding, formal aspects, career planning, etc.).
• KHYS funding measures for ▶ Internationalization and networking.

Many doctoral students leave KIT immediately after completing their doctorate or after a few years of postdoctoral research. We recommend focusing on developing your interdisciplinary skills early on and discussing this with your supervisors.

1. At the latest six months after the end of funding you have to submit in digital form to KHYS (LGF Individual Scholarships) respectively the coordinating office of your Cooperative Doctoral Program in accordance with § 9 LGFG:
    
   • either an official confirmation of your KIT-department, that you have submitted your dissertation
   • or a final report (1-2 pages)
     
     Concerning the final report, the following aspects have to be considered:
      
     • objectives and impact of the research work
     • progress of work up to now
     • steps and time required to complete the work
     • information about published papers during the funding
     • basic formal requirements (date, name, signature on the reports) 
        
2. After completion of your doctoral project you have to submit a copy of your doctoral diploma and certificate. The copies do not have to be certified in this case.

Experience has shown that only very few scholarship holders are able to complete their doctoral projects within the three years of their scholarship. We would therefore like to draw your attention to the following points:

• There are hardly any completion scholarships.
• It is unlikely that the scholarship will be followed by another scholarship for a longer period of time.
• If you have not voluntarily paid into the social security funds (e.g. unemployment insurance) during the scholarship period, you are not entitled to unemployment benefits ("Arbeitslosengeld I").

We recommend to talk to your supervisor at an early stage to clarify how your doctoral project can be financed at least up to the oral examination. 

For those who are at KIT with a specific visa (e.g. if you have come to Germany from overseas on a student visa) it is important to inform in good time about the requirements, in particular as well if and how much you are allowed to work with your residence permit. Our colleagues at the ▶ International Scholars and Welcome Office (IScO) can provide you with further information.

Do you consider becoming a postdoc?

If you are interested in a postdoc-phase at KIT, please feel free to contact the  ▶ KHYS Postdoc Office anytime.