With the support of the Einstein Foundation, the Friedrich Schlegel Graduate School (FSGS) developed an innovative pre-doctoral program designed to prepare early-career researchers from the Global South for doctoral studies in Germany. The aim of the project was to reduce structural barriers to accessing the German academic system and to sustainably strengthen international diversity at the doctoral level.
The program was based on the observation that, despite an overall high proportion of international doctoral candidates in Germany, the share of PhD students from non-EU countries—particularly from the Global South—remained comparatively low. At the same time, many countries in the Global South offer only limited structural opportunities for pursuing doctoral studies. A lack of information about the German academic system, insufficient knowledge of funding opportunities, and formal obstacles in the application process often hinder qualified graduates from gaining access.
Launched in 2022, the PreDoc program addressed these challenges through a multi-stage program. Participants were initially prepared digitally for doctoral studies while still in their home countries. Online courses provided training in academic research and writing, the preparation of research proposals and motivation letters, as well as application procedures and third-party funding acquisition. In addition, fellows were granted early access to the digital library resources of Freie Universität Berlin and received individual mentoring from FSGS professors.
Over the three-year funding period, a total of 16 early-career researchers were supported. In addition to the digital preparation phase, they completed research stays in Berlin lasting between three and twelve months. During their stay, they received intensive administrative and academic support, participated in various workshops, and established professional networks. Several participants subsequently succeeded in securing third-party funding, including DAAD scholarships.
In addition to the one-year fellowships, several short-term scholarships (up to three months) were awarded to early-career researchers at the beginning of their doctoral phase. This format was particularly intended to familiarize participants with the German academic system, facilitate networking, and support the preparation of a research proposal through targeted workshops. Interest in the program increased significantly over time, as reflected in rising application numbers and enhanced international visibility of the FSGS.
The program had tangible structural effects: the proportion of international doctoral candidates at the FSGS increased significantly, particularly from Africa, Asia, and South America. This greater geographical diversity broadened research perspectives and fostered a stronger multiperspectival orientation in doctoral projects.
The digital infrastructure and materials developed within the project remain available to international applicants. Overall, the program made a sustainable contribution to the systematic internationalization of doctoral studies in the humanities. Through low-threshold digital access, targeted individual support, and clear structural integration into the graduate school, it opened up new perspectives—especially for applicants who had previously been largely excluded from established mobility and exchange formats.