Grants & Funding at the BGSE
The Bonn Graduate School of Economics (BGSE) offers fully funded places in its program, ensuring that all doctoral students can focus entirely on their studies and research.
At the BGSE, we believe that talented students should be able to focus fully on their studies and research. This is why
all BGSE students receive a monthly grant, currently 1,465 Euros, from the very beginning of the program
The grant level is regularly reviewed and may be adjusted in line with developments in public sector wage agreements (TV-L) and other economic factors.
Students who meet the academic milestones defined by the good standing rules are eligible for financial support for up to five years.
Grants are tax-exempt, and students are asked to arrange their own health insurance.
From the second year onwards, students may take on teaching or research assistantships on a limited basis. These positions are, of course, additionally paid.
The BGSE supports families by offering a child allowance of 400 Euros per month for the first child. Payments under the Bundeselterngeld- und Elternzeitgesetz (BEEG) are taken into account and reduce this allowance accordingly. The DFG’s basic regulations on child allowance apply where permitted by the university’s funding rules.
During the dissertation phase, many BGSE doctoral candidates are offered employment contracts within one of the department’s research projects, such as ECONtribute or the Collaborative Research Center (CRC). These positions provide additional financial stability, as well as excellent opportunities for collaboration and professional development within a vibrant research environment.
Travel Funds
You are encouraged to present your research papers at conferences during your dissertation phase. If your paper got accepted for presentation and if your supervisor supports your participation, we provide you with travel funds.
If you are accepted to visit one of our partner universities within the European Doctoral Program, the BGSE continues to pay your grant for up to six months. Same is true for research stays abroad at other universities.
Teaching Assistantships
We encourage you to apply for teaching and research assistantships at our department in order to gain valuable experience. Anyhow, if you receive a grant, we ask you to wait with these activities until you have finished your first year of the MSc program.
The reason for this is that we want you to absolutely focus on your studies first. The income of an assistantship position is up to 600 Euro per month (on top of your grant).
Support for Parents
BGSE students who have a child and receive a scholarship can ask for a child allowance. This allowance comes on top of your grant and is currently 400 Euros per month for the first child. In addition, you can apply for financial help for childcare. All these offers are designed to help you as a young researcher and parent since we promote equal opportunities for students with children.
Good to Know
If you apply for admission, you do not need to apply for grants separately. If you have not been offered a grant by the BGSE and want to look for alternative funding possibilities:
Scholarships by German Insitutions
The University of Bonn lists several German institutions offering scholarships (by the way: not only for International but also for German students).
Scholarships database of DAAD
More information on funding possibilities can be found via the scholarship database of the German Academic Exchange Service (Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst, DAAD).
Association of German Foundations
The Association of German Foundations (Bundesverband Deutscher Stiftungen) has a foundation search engine on its website (only in German and only with German foundations).
Study Portals: Scholarships
Study Portals is a private website that helps students to find the best-fit study program, that matches their needs. They offer a new scholarship portal search engine, where you can search for scholarships in Germany.