Leibniz Association Funded PhD Positions
The Leibniz Association is a network of 96 independent research institutes across Germany spanning the sciences, humanities, economics, and environmental research. Like most German doctorates, a Leibniz PhD is an employee position — not a tuition scholarship — so we frame it honestly: you are hired on a salaried doctoral contract (commonly a 65-75% TV-L E13 public-sector salary) while you complete your doctorate, usually awarded by a partner university. For Sri Lankan Master's graduates this is one of the best-paid research routes into Germany: you earn a real German salary, accrue social security, and pay no tuition. Positions are advertised individually on each institute's careers page and the Leibniz job portal.
Rolling — individual positions are advertised year-round on institute and Leibniz job portals as projects are funded
Leibniz Association (96 research institutes across Germany)
External Organization-funded
emoji_events Award Overview
Pay
Salaried (~TV-L E13, 65-75% typical)
Duration
3-4 years (project-linked contract)
Type
Employment contract (social security included)
Fields
Sciences, humanities, economics, environment
info How this award actually works
This is a separate, highly competitive application
Awards from external organisations like this one run their own selection round against applicants from across the world, and success rates are usually in the low single digits. Lanka Scholar does not administer it and cannot submit it for you. Treat it as a bonus on top of a funded study plan — never as the plan itself.
Who awards it
Leibniz Association (96 research institutes across Germany) — not Lanka Scholar. We are not the awarding body and cannot grant, reserve or guarantee this award.
How you are considered
Through a separate application round run by the funder, with its own forms, deadlines and shortlisting. You submit it yourself — it is not part of a university admission application.
What it covers
Salaried Doctoral Contract (~TV-L E13, 65-75%). Read the terms carefully: even fully-funded awards rarely cover every cost, and any shortfall is yours to fund.
Where we come in
We help you judge whether this award is worth your time, and build a realistic admission plan that works whether or not you win it.
fact_check Eligibility Criteria
Relevant Master's Degree
A strong Master's (or equivalent) in a field matching the advertised project. Sri Lankan applicants with a research-oriented Master's and a solid thesis are competitive for science and social-science posts.
Fit to a Funded Project
Unlike open scholarships, you apply to a specific advertised PhD position tied to a funded research project. Your background must match the project's methods and topic.
English (often sufficient)
Many Leibniz institutes work in English, especially in the natural sciences. Each advert states its language requirement; some humanities posts expect German.
Application Package
CV, motivation letter, transcripts, Master's thesis or writing sample, and references — submitted directly to the hiring institute, not through a central scholarship body.
Open to Internationals
Positions are open to applicants worldwide, including Sri Lankans. The hiring institute supports your research-visa application once you accept the contract.
account_tree Application Process
Find an advertised PhD position
Search the Leibniz Association job portal and individual institute careers pages for doctoral vacancies in your field. Each post lists the project, supervisor, salary band, and deadline.
Tailor your application
Write a motivation letter explaining your fit to that specific project, attach your CV, transcripts, thesis abstract, and arrange references. Generic applications are screened out quickly.
Interview
Shortlisted candidates are interviewed (usually online for international applicants) by the supervisor and project team. Be ready to discuss methods and your Master's research in depth.
Contract and relocation
On selection you sign an employment contract and the institute's HR team supports your German research-visa and relocation. There is no separate tuition fee to fund.
About the Leibniz Association
The Leibniz Association brings together 96 research institutes employing over 20,000 people, addressing questions of societal relevance from quantum physics to economics. A Leibniz doctorate combines institute-grade research infrastructure with a university degree and a German public-sector salary — a strong, honestly-paid alternative to scholarship-only routes.
96
Research Institutes
20,000+
Staff Across Germany
Salaried
Doctoral Contracts (no tuition)
Looking for a scholarship because of the cost?
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