GradExcPro

GradExcPro is aimed at highly motivated, outstanding prospective doctoral researchers from around the world who wish to pursue innovative research at KIT. 

To apply, you must:

• Hold a university degree that qualifies you to pursue a doctorate at KIT (e.g. a master's degree or equivalent), or have completed all academic requirements for such a degree.
• Demonstrate academic excellence (with evidence of a top-10% ranking, if available).
• Present a promising research idea with the potential to make a significant contribution to your field.
• Possess English language skills at a minimum level equivalent to B2 (CEFR). 
• Not have started a doctorate or taken up a research position at KIT before the end of the GradExcPro selection process.

Please note: Support from a KIT professor, junior professor, or associate professor is not required at the time of application. Supervisor support is obtained through the GradExcPro matching process and is a prerequisite for funding.

Applications from women are particularly encouraged, especially in disciplines where they remain underrepresented.
 

The Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) is one of Europe’s leading technical universities and a German University of Excellence. KIT offers an outstanding research environment that combines university-based research with large-scale national research infrastructures, extensive opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration, strong international networks, and close links to industry.
▶ Learn more about the many benefits of pursuing a doctorate at KIT 

GradExcPro is part of KIT's Excellence Strategy (ExU) and offers highly qualified prospective doctoral researchers a structured pathway into doctoral research at KIT, from application to doctoral supervision and employment. The program partly builds on the Baden-Württemberg ▶ State Graduate Funding (Landesgraduiertenförderung), a long-established and highly competitive funding scheme that is widely regarded as a mark of distinction for outstanding early-career researchers.

As a successful applicant of GradExcPro, you will receive funding for a three-year research position at a KIT institute and become part of a unique excellence-oriented doctoral community.

Applications for GradExcPro funding must be submitted via the ▶ GradExcPro Application Portal [link coming soon] by January 10, 2027. 

Please have the following documents ready for upload:

• ▶ GradExcPro Application Form [link coming soon] completed and signed. The form includes your selection of a ▶ participating Graduate School and up to two prospective supervisors (▶ visit database) affiliated with this Graduate School, and a research idea for each selected supervisor.
• A reference letter from a professor, junior professor, or associate professor familiar with your academic qualifications and potential, and with whom you have previously studied or worked (e.g., at your previous academic institution). The letter should address your academic achievements, research potential, motivation for doctoral research, and ability to successfully pursue a doctorate in a competitive research environment.
• Copies of all relevant degree certificates and academic transcripts (bachelor's, master's, or equivalent degrees).
  • For degrees obtained outside Germany, please also provide information on the applicable grading scale.
  • Documents not issued in German or English must be accompanied by a certified translation.
• Official confirmation from the awarding university that you graduated within the top 10% of your graduating cohort. If such rankings or corresponding certifications are not issued or are not available at the time of application, applicants must instead provide official confirmation from the awarding university stating this.
• Proof of English language proficiency (minimum CEFR B2). This requirement may be fulfilled through completion of a degree program taught in English or other appropriate evidence of English proficiency.
• A curriculum vitae (CV) outlining your academic background, achievements, awards, scholarships, international experience, and other relevant activities.
  • A list of scientific publications and conference contributions, if applicable. Please indicate for each entry whether you were the first author and whether the publication was peer-reviewed.

Please note that only complete applications, including all documents listed above, will be considered for selection.

Throughout the application process, applicants may ▶ contact KHYS for procedural questions regarding eligibility, documentation requirements, and the selection process.
 

Applications will be evaluated in a competitive selection process based on your submitted application materials, the reference letter, and the prospective supervisors' Letter of Support. In particular, the evaluation and final selection will consider:

• Academic excellence and research potential
• Quality, originality and scientific relevance of the submitted research idea
• Academic and research fit between the applicant, the research idea, and the proposed supervision and research environment at KIT
• English-language proficiency and ability to communicate effectively in an international research environment
• Ability to contribute to KIT's international and interdisciplinary research environment

Only complete applications submitted by the specified deadline will be considered.
 

GradExcPro offers funding through a research position (75 % FTE) at a KIT host institute for an intended period of three years, jointly funded by the host institute and funds provided through the GradExcPro program. Funded doctoral researchers become part of a GradExcPro Peer Cohort and benefit from the exclusive GradExcPro professional development program.

Succesful applicants and supervisors are encouraged to consult ▶ KIT’s Guidelines for the Doctorate when concluding the doctoral agreement and throughout the funding period. The guidelines provide practical guidance on doctoral supervision and the conduct of doctoral research at KIT.

Funded doctoral researchers are expected to prioritize the advancement of their doctoral project throughout the funding period. To demonstrate satisfactory progress, they are required to fulfill specified reporting and documentation obligations during and after the funding period.The host institute and doctoral supervisor support this objective by ensuring that other contractual obligations remain compatible with sustained progress and successful completion of the doctoral project. 

Please note that double funding is not permitted. Applicants may not receive financial support from another source for the same purpose during the GradExcPro funding period.