Groups & Networks

(International) Research Training Groups (Graduiertenkollegs der DFG - GKs) and Networks (EU) are an alternative to the traditional form of individual doctoral supervision: Research Training Groups (Graduiertenkollegs-GK) are temporary and thematically-focused institutions established at universities to promote young graduates by enabling them to participate in research (research-oriented integration of research and training). A Research Training Group (GK) is generally made up of 10 to 15 university teachers and up to 30 doctoral students, of which 12 to 15 receive a DFG fellowship.

Collaborative Research Centres

Collaborative Research Centres (Sonderforschungsbereiche - SFB) are long-term research facilities at universities in which scientists and researchers collaborate within the scope of a cross-disciplinary research program. They are supported by the DFG, the German Research Foundation. The so-called "Independent Junior Research Groups" work within the scope of the collaborative Research Centres as an alternative form of the programme, enabling young scientists and researchers to spend a limited time period doing independent research (funding requires scientific excellence).

Department-wide PhD-Programs in English or Graduate Schools

Department-wide PhD-Programs or Graduate Schools are a fairly recent development in German higher education.  The Graduate Schools coordinate international PhD education in the departments, providing an ideal environment for pursuing a doctoral degree at an internationally competitive level in close collaboration with research institutes of the Science Alliance.

Graduate School Commercial Vehicle Technology
Graduate School Mathematics as a Key Technology

Department-wide PhD Program in English: Computer Science

Learn more about Research Training, Graduate Schools and coordinated Research opportunities at RPTU:

Coordinated Research 

ISGS (RefIntA)-Flyer "Reasearch Training"

Here you can find information about

- DFG International Research Training Groups 

- DFG Collaborative Research Centers

- Projects funded by European Programs

- RPTU Profile Areas

...and more.