Research stays at the Viadrina
|
Which faculties comprise the Viadrina?
|
| The European University Viadrina is comprised of 3 faculties, the Faculty of Law, the Faculty of Social and Cultural Science and Faculty of Business Administration and Economics. Research stays can be made in any of these faculties. |
|
Where can I find and overview of the chairs of the Viadrina?
|
| An overview of the faculty chairs can be found here. |
What funding lines does the VIP offer? |
As an international PhD student, these are the funding lines that are available to you: • Fellowships for research stays at the Viadrina (max. 3 months) |
How do I apply to the VIP? |
| Please consult the instructions for application for the VIP. For a research stay at the Viadrina (max. 3 months) please consult the current call for applications for a detailed description of the required documents. Also be aware of the application deadline of the current call for applications as applications received after this date cannot be accepted. |
I want to undertake research at the Viadrina for less than 3 months. Can I still apply for a research stay at the Viadrina (max. 3 months)? |
| Yes. It is possible to spend a research stay at the Viadrina for less than three months. |
Which language skills do I need to apply for the VIP? |
| It is not necessary to submit any language certificates in your application to the VIP. Although the European University Viadrina expects minimum B2-Level in German or English (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages) to spend a research stay at the Viadrina. During your research stay it is possible to participate in language courses within the VIP or at the language centre. |
Which documents do I need to include in an application to the VIP? |
| In addition to a letter of invitation from a chair of the Viadrina, it is necessary to include a written assessment from your supervisor, an outline of your dissertation, including the format and schedule of your PhD (max. 5 pages), a letter of motivation (max. 3 pages), a detailed timetable of the research stay at the Viadrina, proof of a completed university degree and proof of a PhD study at your home university. Please follow the link current call for applications for an exact breakdown of the required documents. |
How do I obtain a letter of invitation from a university lecturer or a lecturer from the Viadrina? |
| It is necessary to have a letter of invitation for an application to the VIP that can be exclusively issued by a Professor of the Viadrina. Visit the website of the Viadrina to inform yourself of the chairs or lecturers that are relevant to your area of research. Please contact the relevant professors with regards to a research stay of max. 3 months. Please include your CV and a proposal of your research. If you are unsure which professor to contact the project coordination of the VIP can be contacted for help. |
What should be included in the letter of invitation from the Viadrina? |
There a no fixed requirements as to what should be included. However, it is recommended that the letter include: • Name and university of the PhD student • Research topics of the PhD student • Schedule of the planned research stay • Goals of the planned research stay • Scope of supervision of the inviting professor
|
Should the written assessment from my supervisor be sent directly to the VIP? |
| Please include the written assessment form from your supervisor and your letter of invitation directly into your application for a research stay at the Viadrina. It is not necessary for the supervisor to send the report separately. Please be aware, however, that the report from your supervisor must be submitted signed. |
What information should I include in my letter of motivation? |
| Your letter of motivation for a research stay at the Viadrina should not exceed three pages. Include your reasons for a research stay at the Viadrina. Describe your planned activities and explain how they are relevant to your PhD and how they serve your desired networking goals. When composing your cover letter always bear in mind the Goals of the VIP. |
What is meant by a “detailed timetable” of my research stay at the Viadrina? |
| A detailed timetable includes the planned activities for your research stay at the Viadrina (i.e. participation in colloquia or seminars) and this should be included in your application. The timetable can be submitted in the form of a spreadsheet or a timeline. When creating your timetable please be aware of the Goals of the VIP. |
Do I need to include an offical, notarized translation of my original university degree? |
| If you have an official, notarized translation of your original certificate you are welcome to include it. Although a copy of your original certificate in a European language is sufficient. Please ask your home university (e.g. International Office) to sign in order to certify the correctness and completeness of the translation. Please add your a copy of your original university degree as well as the translation to your application. If in doubt as to whether your university degree certificate is sufficient for your application please contact the project coordination of the VIP. |
What is meant by “Proof of doing a doctorate at your home university”? |
| Please include proof of doing a doctorate or participation in a PhD program from your home university with your application. The proof should state that you are enrolled as a PhD student at your home university or that you are carrying out a PhD study at your home university. You home university will provide you with official proof. |
Should I submit my application for a research stay at the Viadrina in English or German? |
| You can apply in English or German. Application forms and reports can be found, in English or German, on the VIP website under “Downloads”. Please choose the language that is most appropriate for you (also your supervisor) and that most effectively represents your research stay at the Viadrina. |
Can I apply at any stage of my study or am I restricted to a certain time frame? |
| No. It is possible to apply to the VIP at any point of your study. However the research stay abroad should have relevance with regards to your PhD and this relevance should be explained in your application. The application should be made during your PhD as support for Postdocs is not possible. |
In what form should I send my application? |
| Please send your application by email in 1 PDF file (max. 2MB) to the project coordination of the VIP (ipid-programm@europa-uni.de). It is not necessary to apply by postal mail. |
What is included in a fellowship for a research stay at the Viadrina? |
| The VIP-Fellowship for a research stay at the Viadrina (max. 3 months) is comprised of a subsistence allowance of 1000 Euro if you stay at the European University Viadrina for longer than 23 days within a month. Should you plan to stay for less than 23 days within a month at the Viadrina, you will then receive a daily allowance of 50 Euro per day (max. 250 Euro per week). In addition to this a fellow will also receive a one-time travel allowance. The amount of this travel allowance is dependent on the home country or rather on the place you are doing your doctorate and it can also be found under “Downloads”. |
I currently receive a grant for my PhD from my home university or an outside institution (i.e. foundation or endowment). Can I still apply for a fellowship or must I suspend my grant for the duration of my research stay abroad? |
| Since this is a fellowship intended to cover costs for a research stay at the Viadrina, it is not necessary to suspend the grant for your PhD from your home university or external institution (i.e. foundation or endowment). Therefore it is possible to receive a combination of funding. It is only in the case that your PhD grant is specifically for a research stay abroad that further financing from the VIP is not possible. So a fellowship can only be awarded when you are not receiving additional grants for the same purpose and duration. To make sure that you are not receiving double funding during your research stay, please contact the project coordinator of the VIP in advance. |
I am already receiving a grant for a research stay at the Viadrina. Can I still apply for a VIP fellowship? |
| That depends on the type of grant. Should the grant include a travel allowance as well as a monthly fellowship for your planned research stay at the Viadrina then, unfortunately, it is not possible to apply for a VIP-Fellowship. A fellowship from the VIP can only be applied for when you are receiving no other support for the same purpose and duration. |
I am currently receiving a grant for a research stay at another German university. When this is concluded I wish to make a research stay at the Viadrina. Is it possible to apply for a fellowship? |
| Yes, you are welcome to apply for a fellowship for a research stay at the Viadrina. Depending on the grant you receive from the other university, it may be necessary to adjust the VIP-Fellowship. In this case, please contact the project coordination of the VIP. |
Can I apply for additional child support from the VIP? |
| Unfortunately the VIP cannot provide child support. However there is the possibility to apply to the Family Representative of the Viadrina for child support for children, foster children or dependant children living under your roof. Further information concerning child support for international PhD students can be found at the Family Representative of the Viadrina (familienbeauftragte@europa-uni.de). |
|
How are applicants for the VIP selected?
|
| After the deadline for applications has past, all applications will be forwarded to the Commission for the Appropriation of Funds within the Field of Research and Graduate Education of the European University Viadrina. The commission will then review all applications and will make their decision based upon the criteria and goals of the VIP. |
|
Are all applications assessed at the same time after the application deadline has past or is the awarding of fellowships carried consecutively?
|
| After the application deadline all applications are collected and forwarded to the Commission for the Appropriation of Funds within the Field of Research and Graduate Education of the European University Viadrina. The time of application plays no role in the selection procedure as long as the application is submitted before the application deadline. There is no ongoing selection process. |
|
When can I expect to receive a decision?
|
| The project coordination will send you an email to confirm that they have received your application. This email will also contain an estimated date for the decisions to be made. |
|
When can I make a research stay at the Viadrina (max. 3 months)?
|
|
In principle it is possible to make a research stay at the Viadrina at any time of the year. The exact time of year for the research stay at the Viadrina should be arranged with the inviting chair. However, it is recommended that you choose your researche stay in winter or summer term. It is during these times that the lectures, colloquia and language courses are held. In addition almost all networking with PhD students and professors is conducted at this time. A research stay during the winter or summer break is only possible in close consultation with the inviting lecturer and should be clearly stated in your application. An overview of the term dates can be found here. |
|
What is my status during my research stay at the Viadrina?
|
| Your status during your research stay at the Viadrina depends on you and on your research stay. These are the possibilities during your research stay at the Viadrina: Visiting Student or No Status. For further details, please contact the project coordination of the Viadrina when you have received confirmation of a research stay at the Viadrina. Please note, that all selected applicants will be anyway informed of possible status opportunities during their research stay at the Viadrina. |
|
Which lectures or courses am I permitted to attend during my research stay at the Viadrina?
|
| Please speak with the inviting chair or professor with regards to the lectures or courses you can attend during your research stay at the Viadrina. When planning your research stay, please take note of the term dates of the Viadrina. You can also see the courses taught in English and other foreign languages here. |
|
I have a confirmation for a research stay at the Viadrina (max. 3 months) from the VIP. Is it possible to postpone the stay to another time?
|
| A postponement for a planned research stay is possible with the consent of the inviting chair at the Viadrina and the VIP project coordination, although the postponement must be within the same calendar year. A postponement to another calendar year is not possible. In this case you must re-apply. |
|
Is insurance included in the fellowship for a research stay at the Viadrina?
|
| No, insurance is not included in the fellowship for a research stay at the Viadrina. You must provide the insurance yourself. The insurance that is best suited for you depends on your preferred status at the Viadrina. |
|
Are the costs for my accommodation during my research stay at the Viadrina already included?
|
| The costs for accommodation during your research stay at the Viadrina must be paid from the fellowship. The cost to stay in the accommodation of the Viadrina is approx. between 300 Euro and 775 Euro per month. You will receive a detailed overview of accommodation options, from the project coordination, after you have received confirmation of a grant from the VIP. |
|
I wish to learn German. Is it possible to participate in a language course during my research stay at the Viadrina?
|
| You are welcome to participate in a language course during your research stay at the Viadrina. This is dependent, however, on the availability of places in the language centre of the Viadrina during the time of your planned stay. To participate in a language course you must be enrolled as visiting student or as a visiting auditor. Addtionally there are language courses organized within the VIP. |
|
I wish to learn a foreign language other than German. Does the Viadrina offer courses in languages other than German?
|
| You are welcome to participate in a language course (other than German) during your research stay at the Viadrina. This is dependent, however on the availability of places in the language centre of the Viadrina during the time of your planned stay. To participate in a language course you must be enrolled as visiting student or as a visiting auditor. |