The NHR Graduate School offers up to nine fully funded PhD scholarship each year for talented doctoral students worldwide. This program is ideal for graduates with a master’s degree in computer science, mathematics, natural sciences, engineering, or related fields interested in High Performance Computing (HPC), numerical simulation, or artificial intelligence/machine learning (AI/ML).
The scholarship supports PhD research at one of the NHR Centers affiliated with top German universities known internationally for excellence in HPC and computational science. Students benefit from collaboration with leading researchers, cutting-edge training, and opportunities to contribute to innovative research projects pushing the boundaries of HPC.
The funding lasts for up to 36 months, starting on April 1, 2026, and ending on March 31, 2029. This fellowship presents a unique opportunity to advance your academic career with robust financial support and expert mentorship.
Quick Overview of NHR Graduate School PhD Scholarship
- Host Country: Germany
- Host Institutions: Various NHR Centers affiliated with German universities
- Application Deadline: September 15, 2025
- Funding Period: April 1, 2026 – March 31, 2029 (max 36 months)
- Monthly Stipend: €2,200
- Fields: High Performance Computing, Numerical Simulation, AI/ML, Computer Science, Mathematics, Natural Sciences, Engineering
- Eligibility: Master’s degree holders in relevant fields, accepted for doctoral studies at an NHR Center
Perks of the Paid Computer Science Scholarship in Germany
- Monthly stipend of €2,200 for up to 3 years
- Supervision by internationally renowned researchers in HPC and related fields
- Access to world-class training programs and expert-led workshops
- Six-month secondment (research stay) at another NHR Center to broaden research exposure
- Networking opportunities within an elite community of HPC researchers
- Additional soft skills seminars, career coaching, and mentoring programs
Benefits of the HPC Doctoral Scholarships for International Students
- Build expertise in HPC and AI/ML under leading global experts
- Conduct innovative, impactful doctoral research with strong academic support
- Enhance career prospects with international collaboration and training
- Access advanced computational resources and interdisciplinary HPC networks
- Gain cross-center research experience during mandatory secondment
- Develop transferable skills through career development and mentoring programs
Exclusions of the NHR Graduate School PhD Scholarship
- Does not cover tuition fees—applicants must meet university enrollment requirements separately
- Stipend is a scholarship, not a salary; no social security contributions are typically required
- Scholarship holders must reside at the NHR Center for at least two-thirds of the funding period
- No funding overlap allowed with other scholarships covering the same doctoral pursuit and duration
Eligibility Criteria for NHR Graduate School PhD Scholarship
- Completed a master’s degree in computer science, mathematics, natural sciences, engineering, or a related field
- Must meet admission requirements for doctoral studies at the chosen NHR Center
- Master’s degree completion must be within the last five years at the time of application
- English proficiency proof required (TOEFL, IELTS, Cambridge certificates, or proof of instruction in English)
- Must not currently hold funding for the same doctoral research from another source covering the same period
Important Dates for NHR Graduate School PhD Scholarship
- Application Deadline: September 15, 2025
- Start of Funding: April 1, 2026
- End of Funding: March 31, 2029
How to Apply for the HPC PhD Scholarship in Germany
- Complete the online application form at https://form.nhr-verein.de by September 15, 2025.
- Prepare and submit the following as one merged PDF (max 10 MB) to scholarship@nhr-verein.de:
- Application form
- Letter of motivation (1-2 pages) describing academic goals and research interests
- Curriculum Vitae (max 2 pages) including education, publications, achievements
- Research statement (1-2 pages) detailing planned dissertation topic and preferred NHR Centers
- Academic transcripts with official translations, if needed
- Proof of English proficiency (TOEFL, IELTS, Cambridge, or official certificate)
- Arrange for your academic referee to send a letter of recommendation directly to scholarship@nhr-verein.de (separately from your application).
- Reference your email and documents with: <Application NHR Graduate School>.
Required Documents for NHR Graduate School PhD Scholarship
- Completed online application form
- Letter of motivation (1-2 pages)
- Curriculum Vitae (max 2 pages)
- Research statement (1-2 pages)
- Official academic transcripts (with translations if needed)
- Proof of English proficiency (TOEFL iBT ≥ 79, IELTS ≥ 6.5, or Cambridge C1/C2)
- Letter of recommendation sent by academic referee
