Applications for 2 one-year doctoral grants (funding period 2026-2027) for the qualification period (core curriculum), 2 four-year DAAD scholarships funded by the Graduate School Scholarship Programme (GSSP) as well as 7 doctoral memberships (Promotionsplätze) for candidates with third-party funding can now be submitted via our application platform (please select "I want to apply to the GSNAS"; deadline: January 31, 2026). Doctoral memberships are available for candidates who have already successfully applied for third-party funding by a funding agency (e.g. foundation) as part of a competitive application process. The aim of the third-party funding must be related to the financial support of academic research. The funding period should not be less than 36 months. Please note that we do not offer the possibility of a self-funded dissertation. If you are currently pursuing a PhD and are interested to join GSNAS as a visiting doctoral researcher, please visit this page for more information.

The following documents will have to be included in the online application. You will find all relevant details on the specificities (length, file size, etc,) of the documents listed below after registering on our application platform. We therefore kindly ask you to refrain from inquiries on application documents before accessing the online application form.
You can revise your application before submitting the complete application dossier and hence complete the application process in several steps. Please note that the referees listed on your application will not be sent the link to upload their reference letter until after application has been submitted. The upload deadline for reference letters is February 15, 2026.

1. A Curriculum Vitae (in English)
2. A Statement of Purpose of approx. 2 pages (in English)
3. Copies of Earned Degrees/Diplomas/Graduation Certificates (High School, BA, MA, etc.)
   Please note: Applicants who have not obtained their MA/MSc degree by the deadline (January 31, 2026) must provide a transcript of records showing that two-thirds of all credit points (e.g., 80 out of 120) have been earned.
   The final grade and transcript of records confirming the successful completion of the MA/MSc must be submitted no later than July 31, 2026 to ensure successful admission by the respective doctoral committee (Promotionsausschuss).
   An Outline of the Dissertation Project of 8-10 pages (in English)
4. A work plan/timeline (in English)
5. A Writing Sample based on a chapter of the M.A. thesis or an already published journal article (approx. 15-20 pages; can be submitted in English or German)
6. Proof of Language Proficiency (TOEFL, IELTS, CAS, CPE)
   All applicants who are neither native English speakers nor have earned a degree at a university with English as language of instruction are required to submit certification of their English proficiency: minimum TOEFL scores of 600 (paper-based), 250 (computer-based) and 100 (internet-based) or equivalent minimum CAE (A and B), CPE (A, B, C) or IELTS (7.0) scores. A degree in North American Studies or English Language and Literature, earned at a German university is not sufficient as a proof of English language skills. It will only be accepted if the entire curriculum was taught in English. In addition, stays/semesters abroad will not be accepted as a substitute for a language test.
7. Two Recent Letters of Reference (to be uploaded separately by the respective referee by February 15, 2025)

In case you have any question regarding any of the above application materials (e.g. the high school diploma), please contact us at application@gsnas.fu-berlin.de.

We will confirm receipt of your application by e-mail. Reapplications: Please note that reapplication is only possible on the basis of a thoroughly revised outline of the dissertation project. Reapplications containing an outline which is identical with the previous one will not be taken into consideration.