Graduate Programme for Transcultural Studies (GPTS) 2013

Starting in October 2013, the Graduate Programme for Transcultural Studies (GPTS) will grant eight doctoral scholarships to European and Asian students. 

The Graduate Programme for Transcultural Studies (GPTS) is a structured doctoral programme within the interdisciplinary research environment of the Cluster. The programme's institutional reference is the Karl Jaspers Centre (KJC), situated at Heidelberg University. Doctoral students are taught by scholars working within the Cluster and thereby have access to a vibrant international scholarly community. 

The doctoral programme offers:
a) an introduction to theories and methodologies of transcultural studies,
b) access to a well-equipped work environment supported by European and Asian institutions,
c) participation in the gathering of textual and non-textual source material,
d) support of doctoral projects which are linked to the broad research fields pursued by the Cluster.

In line with the Cluster's focus, the programme's research profile centres on the dynamics of cultural exchange processes between Asia and Europe. The Cluster challenges the master narrative of asymmetrical Western domination along with its historical explanation, its methodology, and the resulting structures of the humanities and social sciences. Involving Asian, European, and global perspectives, the GPTS offers an excellent working environment for young scholars who wish to be integrated into cooperative research on problems of high complexity, both in terms of subject matter and methodology. 

The GPTS combines the European model of highly individualised doctoral studies and a system of guided courses. Supervision is provided by mentors during a term of three academic years. In the first year participants attend a number of thematically focused classes. The second year is intended for field research, while the third year is dedicated for the writing and presenting of the results. Each doctoral student will be assigned two mentors/advisors. Half of the scholarships are reserved for students from Asia. 

Application Requirements

• Applicants must hold an M.A. or equivalent in a discipline of the humanities or social sciences with an above-average grade (at least 1.7, B+, 2+, "magna cum laude", or equivalent).
• The degree has to reflect at least five years of study at university level. Applicants who plan to graduate in 2013 must provide a university transcript that clearly indicates the progress to degree.
• Documents should be submitted in English, German, French or Italian. Documents in other languages should be submitted as certified translations into English or German.

Application Process

The application process consists of four parts.

1. Applicants have to register and log into the Online Application System of the GPTS. Further guidelines will be available after login. Through the system applicants are required to provide

• proof of their M.A. (or equivalent) with a transcript of courses and grades (NOTE: If the degree is still pending, applicants have to provide a detailed transcript of courses, indicating the progress to degree)
• two referees for recommendation
• an abstract of the proposed doctoral project with a working plan
• a letter of intention
• proof of language skills
• further information about their education, work experience and other skills
• possible supervisor from the Cluster.

The proposed doctoral project must have clear connections to the general research framework of the Cluster. Suitable supervisors may be found amongst the five Professorships and senior researchers involved in the projects of the Cluster.

2. After an initial evaluation and selection, applicants will be asked to contact suitable supervisors at the Cluster to discuss their proposed projects.

3. The most promising applicants will be invited to present their projects to the selection committee in Heidelberg. Notifications on this can be expected towards the end of April or the beginning of May.

4. Subsequent to the presentation in Heidelberg, the scholarship holders will be selected.

The deadline for submitting applications is 15 March, 2013.

Scholarships

The programme offers a monthly scholarship of 1.200 Euro. It further supports scholarship holders in framing their research through advanced courses and individual supervision and mentoring. Half of the scholarships are reserved for young scholars from Asia.

Read more: http://www.asia-europe.uni-heidelberg.de/en/education/graduate-programme-for-transcultural-studies.html

PhD Scholarship in Culture at Giessen University

Giessen University's International Graduate Centre for the Study of Culture (GCSC), funded by the German federal government’s Excellence Initiative, invites applications for one of up to 13 PhD scholarships for a three-year, structured PhD-programme in the study of culture. With its excellent research environment, a doctoral programme which is tailored to the needs of PhD students and the intensive personal support it provides, the Graduate Centre offers doctoral researchers optimum conditions for their PhD-projects and custom-made preparation for the time thereafter, both with regard to academic and non-academic careers.

The PhD scholarship period starts on October 1, 2013 and includes a monthly stipend of approximately €1,468 (plus family allowances when applicable). Scholarships are offered for one year with the possibility of two extensions, each of one year. The GCSC supports young researchers with families; appointees with children under the age of twelve are eligible for renewals of up to four years. 

Acceptance of a scholarship requires participation in the study programme and wide-ranging events offered by the GCSC, as well as active involvement in at least one GCSC graduate research group. PhD scholarship holders must register as PhD students at the Justus Liebig University. There are no tuition fees for doctoral students at the JLU, except for an enrolment fee of approximately €200 per semester. All scholarship holders are expected to assume residency in or near Giessen.

The GCSC expects scholarship holders to:

• Research a dissertation project that contributes to the GCSC’s research profile* and can be supervised at the Justus Liebig University
• Actively participate in one of the GCSC’s research areas* by initiating, coordinating and documenting collaborative research projects, such as conferences or publications
• Participate in the GCSC’s curriculum

The GCSC offers a research-intensive environment and comprehensive multi-tier supervision at all stages of a dissertation project through e.g. interdisciplinary research colloquia and professional support in preparing academic papers and conferences. The GCSC Teaching Centre offers systematic qualification in HE teaching; opportunities to teach at the BA level are available. 

Eligibility

We invite applications for contributing to the study of culture in various historical contexts as well as those analysing contemporary phenomena. An international research perspective i.e. international study experience is an advantage. The GCSC encourages applications from graduate students who have or expect to obtain a first or upper second class honours M.A.-degree (or equivalent) in one of the GCSC’s academic subjects* or in the arts/humanities, cultural studies, or the social sciences. The GCSC’s working languages are German and English, and applicants must be fluent in at least one of them; knowledge of both is an advantage and should be acquired during the scholarship period.

The GCSC focuses its research within the following Research Areas*: Research Area 1: Cultural Memory Studies | Research Area 2: Cultural Narratologies | Research Area 3: Cultural Transformation and Performativity Studies | Research Area 4: Visual and Material Culture Studies | Research Area 5: Media and Multiliteracy Studies | Research Area 6: Cultural Identities | Research Area 7: Global Studies and Politics of Space | Research Area 8: Cultures of Knowledge, Research and Education.

In addition, the GCSC is currently establishing working groups organized around “emerging topics” that are expected to contribute to the research spectrum by establishing and strengthening links to neighbouring disciplines. Initial working group activities have bridged the study of culture with the fields of economics, ecology, life sciences and law.    

Application Procedure and Deadline

The main selection criteria are the candidates’ academic qualifications, the academic quality of the research proposal and the suitability of the project for the GCSC’s research programme. Short-listed candidates will be invited to a 30-minute interview.

The application deadline is March 1, 2013 (date of receipt). All applications (including an application form and further documents as stated on the GCSC-website) have to be submitted online. 

Please find all information about the two-stage application procedure on the website at http://gcsc.uni-giessen.de/wps/pgn/home/GCSC_eng/doctoral_scholarships/

If you have any questions concerning your application, please contact us at gcsc-application@uni-giessen.de

 

Visiting Fellow Grants at Bielefeld Graduate School

The Bielefeld Graduate School in History and Sociology is a joint institution of the Faculty of Sociology and the History Department of the Faculty of History, Philosophy and Theology at Bielefeld University (Germany). Under the umbrella of the Graduate School, international doctoral programmes in sociology and history are offered. It provides an inspiring research environment for about 180 doctoral candidates.

The Graduate School is offering 1 – 2 Visiting Fellow Grants for international doctoral candidates to fund up to four month research stay at the Graduate School.

The scholarships will be awarded for the Winter Term 2012/2013 (1 October until 31 March 2013) and include a stipend of 1.200 Euro per month. Upon application, travel costs can also be covered by the Graduate School. If applicable, a children’s allowance will be added.

Requirements: Applications are invited from international doctoral candidates who work on a thesis in history, sociology, political science or social anthropology.

Applications: Applicants are asked to submit the following documents:

- cover letter detailing your interest in researching at the BGHS (800 words max.),
- curriculum vitae (in tabular form),
- research proposal (2,000 words max.),
- work schedule and timeframe for your stay at the BGHS,
- recommendation from two college or university professors (approx. 400 words),
- certificates of college and university degrees.

We strongly recommend contacting research associates or professors of the Faculty of Sociology or the Department of History at Bielefeld University before applying for the scholarship. Please name your contact(s) in your application.

All applications should reach the Bielefeld Graduate School in History and Sociology via email (bghs@uni-bielefeld.de) by 15 August 2012. Please compile your application in one single PDF-file and note that the BGHS will not process incomplete applications.

If you have any questions, please contact us at bghs@uni-bielefeld.de.
Dr. Karen Holtmann
General Management
Bielefeld Graduate School in History and Sociology (BGHS)
Bielefeld University
P.O. Box 10 01 31
33501 Bielefeld, Germany
Phone: +49 (0)521 106 6523
Email: bghs@uni-bielefeld.de
Website: http://www.uni-bielefeld.de/%28en%29/bghs/bewerbung/kurzzeit.html

Doctoral Program in International Business Taxa­tion, Vienna

The Doctoral Program in International Business Taxa­tion (DIBT) at the Vienna University of Economics and Business, Austria, offers an excellent doctoral education to outstanding students from all over the world, fully preparing them to conduct research on international business taxation. DIBT provides high-quality interdis­ciplinary training for graduates in the field of interna­tional taxation, including and combining the disciplines of public finance, international tax law and cross-bor­der tax management.

DIBT focuses on high-quality academic education and internationally competitive research. It is aimed at the future elite of scholars and provides interdisciplinary training in taxation of enterprises‘ cross-border activi­ties, drawing on and combining the core disciplines public finance, international tax law, and cross-border tax management. By then expanding tax training to non-traditional yet highly relevant disciplines such as economic psychology, history, political science, ethics, and legal philosophy as well as organizational behavior and decision making, a broadening of horizons and a more comprehensive approach to research questions is achieved.

The program takes three years to complete and awards a PhD degree to graduates. During the first year, par­ticipants acquire the basic knowledge necessary for working in an interdisciplinary manner. Building on this foundation, the second and third years are dedicated to seminars in related fields, a research stay abroad, additional optional workshops, and especially to doing research on a PhD thesis. For the duration of the entire program, students attend an accompanying research seminar. All courses are taught in English.

DIBT provides the opportunity to conduct research in the following areas:
*Determination of taxable profit
*Locational decisions
*EU tax for businesses
*International coordination of business taxation

Once admitted to DIBT, students can expect to obtain a top-quality education preparing them for a rewarding academic career or a highly specialized position in other, non-academic national or interna­tional institutions. DIBT‘s faculty is very well connected in the academic community and draws on extensive expertise to provide training for doctoral students and supervise their research.

The program is open to students from all countries, provided they hold a master or equivalent degree primarily in law, business, economics, psychology or, in exceptional cases, in other disciplines, if they have a sufficient background in taxation. Applications can be submitted using the online application tool.

Scholarships

DIBT is funded by the Austrian Science Fund (FWF). Only a small number of students can be admitted. For DIBT Collegiates tuition fees are waived. Only in exceptional cases fees of about EUR 380,-- per semester have to be collected. However, these fees will be reimbursed from DIBT funds. There is a limited number of grants avail­able to students in the amount of € 1,877 per month (tax and social insurance will be deducted from this amount). WU always goes the extra mile to provide an ideal research environment for the selected students.

Deadline
The online application period for the academic year 2012/13 begins on November 1, 2011 (14:00, CET) and ends on February 15, 2012 (14:00, CET).

Only applications submitted within this period can be accepted.

Website: http://www.wu.ac.at/dibt
Email for all inquiries: dibt@wu.ac.at