Selection Process

All received applications go through a selection process. Considering they match the overall DLGS scientific remit and concern for producing knowledge to enhance spatial sustainability transformations.
Applicants are free to design research proposals according to their individual interests and abilities. However, they must ensure that their research will:

• Address the topic of the call and/or the DLGS scientific profile and remit
• Align with IOER research areas (one or several)
• Have a suitable supervisor (professor) at the TU Dresden / IOER

DLGS has a centralised application process: All applications are received through the online application portal. In the first step, they are evaluated against the eligibility criteria and then forwarded further for evaluation by the Management Board and the Scientific Coordinator. In addition to the selection criteria (relevance, scientific soundness, innovativeness, feasibility), key balancing criteria (gender, disciplines, geography) are also considered – see Guide for applicants for details. The selected applicants are invited for an interview.

Eligibility Criteria:

All applications are evaluated against this eligibility criteria:

1. First Master’s degree obtained within the last 3 years before application (date of certificate).
2. Total grade obtained for the Master’s degree "good" or better (corresponding to German level "gut").
3. Research proposal within scope that clearly
   1. addresses the topic of the current DLGS call for scholarship applications and scientific remit in case of open applications
   2. aligns with IOER research areas (one or several)
   3. identifies suitable supervisors (professors) at the TU Dresden / IOER
4. Complete application (in english only) including the online form and all supporting documents requested.

For rolling applications and applications for visiting doctoral candidates, DLGS screens your application using the same criteria as mentioned above. Promising candidates are invited for interviews online. This review is usually completed within three months after the submission of the application. The final decision follows soon after the interview.

Post interview, selected applicants are offered the scholarship positions to carry out their doctoral research under the structured program at DLGS. The positions are conditional on acceptance as a doctoral candidate at the respective faculty of TUD.

Our selection of fellows strives for strong coherence, complementarity and synergies within every cohort, as well as regarding previous cohorts. This allows us to build a vibrant community of young researchers engaging in a shared path of knowledge production and co-creation.