Funding program for the establishment of positions for doctoral candidates with disabilities
Aim of the program
Scientists with severe disabilities/chronic illnesses are significantly underrepresented in science in Germany. In order to overcome barriers to entry into science for doctoral candidates with disabilities/chronic illnesses and to create continuous visibility for the topic of inclusion in science, TU Dortmund University is launching a program that financially supports the recruitment of outstanding university graduates.
With this program, TU Dortmund University not only wants to support highly qualified students with disabilities on their way to a doctorate, but also to create continuous awareness and visibility for the topic of inclusion in science in the sense of disability mainstreaming in the departments and scientific institutions.
What does the funding consist of?
Funding is provided for initial contracts of 3 years of academic employment with the qualification goal of a doctorate. The funding consists of financing 75% of the gross employer costs of the relevant qualification position in the first year of employment. This sum can be distributed flexibly over the entire duration of the doctorate. This means that it can also be used for an extension beyond the 3 years of the initial contract, but only up to the end of the 5th year after the start of the contract.
In addition, if the person to be employed meets the requirements, a wage subsidy of up to 70% of the gross employer costs can be applied for from the Employer Service of the Central Placement Office for Severely Disabled Academics of the Employment Agency.
Who can be supported?
Professors who wish to establish a doctoral position for a graduate with severe disabilities/equal opportunities can apply for funding from TU Dortmund University. At the time of funding, the person to be hired must not have an employment contract or employment relationship with TU Dortmund University (with the exception of contracts as student or research assistants). Increases to existing contracts will not be funded. Exceptions to this rule must be agreed on a case-by-case basis and can only be made in special cases.
In order to be eligible for TU Dortmund University funding, it must be proven during the application process that the graduate to be hired is excellently qualified for the doctoral position to be established.
Who can apply and how?
Professors at TU Dortmund University are eligible to apply. The application consists of an informal letter from the professorship that intends to hire an employee with disabilities for a doctoral position. In addition to the request for funding, the letter must state the planned date and the amount of funding requested. In addition, the supervising professor must briefly outline the planned doctoral project and explain how the graduate has proven to be excellently qualified for the planned doctoral project. The Master's certificate and a curriculum vitae of the graduate must also be enclosed.
There are no deadlines or dates; applications can be submitted at any time. The Rectorate decides on the application.
If you have any questions about the application process, please contact the Equal Opportunities, Family and Diversity Office, which will also accept the application.
Are you a graduate with a disability/chronic illness interested in a doctorate at TU Dortmund University?
You have successfully completed your studies and would now like to do a doctorate: In order to start a doctorate at TU Dortmund University, you first need a professor's confirmation of supervision.
Sometimes this happens following a Master's thesis, but you can also talk to a person who matches your area of interest and could potentially supervise your topic. Let the professor know that you are interested in doing a doctorate and, if applicable, the topics/questions you are interested in.
If the professor agrees to supervise your doctorate, the next step is to clarify whether it is possible to finance a doctoral position as part of this funding program.
The Department of Disability and Studies (DoBuS) can support those interested in doing a doctorate during this process and can also advise on further questions about doing a doctorate with disabilities/chronic illness.
Further information and exchange
The DoBuS doctoral group offers an opportunity for peer exchange:
To the peer exchange of the DoBuS doctoral group
The Graduate Center at TU Dortmund University will be happy to advise you on general questions relating to doctoral studies and offers an interdisciplinary qualification program: