Applications are now open for the DAAD Graduate School Scholarship Program (GSSP) 2026 at the Berlin Graduate School of Ancient Studies (BerGSAS). Scheduled to run from October 2026 to September 2030, this fellowship, sponsored by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), offers exceptional early-career researchers the opportunity to pursue advanced doctoral research in areas such as archaeology, philology, theology, ancient languages, visual culture, and related disciplines.
Hosted in partnership by Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin and Freie Universität Berlin, BerGSAS provides scholars with an inspiring academic environment in one of Europe’s foremost centres for archaeological and ancient studies. Fellows benefit from a monthly living stipend, comprehensive insurance coverage, international mobility grants, pre-doctoral German language training, and personalised academic supervision—making this one of the most competitive and attractive DAAD-funded PhD schemes in the humanities and social sciences.
BerGSAS-DAAD GSSP 2026 Overview
- Institution: Berlin Graduate School of Ancient Studies (BerGSAS)
- Partner Universities: Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin & Freie Universität Berlin
- Program Duration: October 2026 – September 2030
- Degree Level: PhD
- Funding: Fully Funded by DAAD
- Application Deadline: 15 October 2025 (00:00 CET)
Research Tracks & Eligible Fields
- Ancient Languages and Texts (ALT)
- Focus: Philology, linguistics, and digital humanities
- Fields: Ancient History, Greek, Latin, Coptic, Egyptology, Near Eastern languages, Protestant Theology, Comparative Linguistics
- Ancient Objects and Visual Studies (AOViS)
- Focus: Material culture, archaeological objects, and visual communication
- Fields: Classical and Near East Archaeology, Egyptology, Oriental Studies
- Landscape Archaeology and Architecture (LAA)
- Focus: Landscape analysis, architectural studies, and geo-statistical methods
- Fields: Prehistoric & Classical Archaeology, Egyptology (with landscape specialisation)
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Scholarship Benefits
- Monthly Stipend: €1,300
- Health, Accident & Liability Insurance
- Conference & Research Travel Support
- Annual Research Materials Grant: €1,000
- Additional Family & Rent Allowances (if eligible)
- Pre-session German Language Course
- International Research Mobility Funding: Up to 25% of fellowship duration
Eligibility Criteria
- Applicants must be non-German citizens
- Completed Master’s degree (or must complete by 1 March 2026)
- Must not have lived continuously in Germany since 1 December 2024
- Applicants must not already hold a doctoral degree
- English Proficiency: Minimum B2 level (C1 required for FU Berlin tracks)
Application Process
- Register on the BerGSAS application portal and complete the eligibility form.
- Submit all required documents by 15 October 2025:
- Bachelor’s & Master’s certificates and transcripts
- Detailed research proposal
- Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- Proof of English language proficiency
- Two recommendation letters (sent directly by referees to application@berliner-antike-kolleg.org)
- Stage 1: Online review and interview invitation
- Stage 2: Final selection by DAAD and official admission from the host universities
APPLY FOR THE BerGSAS-DAAD SCHOLARSHIPS
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