NHR Graduate School PhD Scholarships 2025: Fully Funded Opportunities in Germany

The NHR Graduate School, supported by the National High-Performance Computing (NHR) Alliance, offers up to nine fully funded PhD scholarships annually to talented researchers worldwide. These scholarships are designed for students passionate about High-Performance Computing (HPC), numerical simulation, artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), and related interdisciplinary fields.

Scholars will conduct their PhD research at one of the nine NHR Centers in Germany, each affiliated with a leading university, providing access to state-of-the-art supercomputing resources and expert supervision. You can also check 23 Fully Funded PhD Positions at Ghent University

Scholarship Benefits

• Monthly Stipend: €2,200 (tax-free) for up to 36 months, covering living expenses in Germany.
• Research Resources: Access to advanced HPC infrastructure, including supercomputers and specialized software at one of the nine NHR Centers.
• Supervision: One-on-one guidance from internationally renowned professors and researchers in HPC-related fields.
• Training Programs:
  • Participation in an annual summer school (3-5 days) focused on HPC, numerical methods, and interdisciplinary topics.
  • Access to workshops, seminars, and tutorials on advanced computing techniques.
• Secondment Opportunity: A mandatory six-month secondment at another NHR Center to collaborate on interdisciplinary research, broaden expertise, and build networks.
• Networking: Opportunities to connect with HPC researchers, industry professionals, and NHR alumni through conferences, workshops, and events.
• Professional Development:
  • Soft skills seminars on communication, leadership, and project management.
  • Career coaching to prepare for academic or industry roles.
  • Mentoring programs to support personal and professional growth.
• Travel Support: Funding for attending conferences, workshops, or collaborative research visits (subject to approval by the NHR Center).
• Equal Opportunities: The program is committed to diversity, encouraging applications from all genders, backgrounds, and nationalities.

Eligibility Criteria

To qualify for the NHR Graduate School Scholarship, applicants must meet the following requirements:

• Academic Qualifications: Hold a Master’s degree (or equivalent, e.g., Diploma or comparable) in one of the following fields:
  • Computer Science
  • Mathematics
  • Natural Sciences (e.g., Physics, Chemistry, Biology)
  • Engineering
  • Other disciplines with a clear focus on HPC, numerical simulation, or AI/ML
• Research Interest: Demonstrate a strong interest in High-Performance Computing or related areas, evidenced by academic projects, coursework, or prior research.
• Doctoral Program Admission: Meet the specific admission requirements for doctoral studies at the chosen NHR Center’s affiliated university. Requirements vary by center and may include language proficiency (e.g., English or German) or specific coursework.
• Language Skills: Proficiency in English is typically required but if you have completed your formal education and have successfully completed English as a subject, you can submit an official certificate or a letter from the institution confirming this. This is sufficient as proof of your English knowledge.
• No Prior Funding Conflict: Applicants must not be receiving other full funding for their PhD during the scholarship period.

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Application Process

Follow these steps to apply for the NHR Graduate School Scholarship:

1. Research NHR Centers:
   • Visit the NHR website to explore the nine NHR Centers and their research fields (e.g., computational physics, AI, climate modeling).
   • Identify a center whose research aligns with your interests and expertise.
2. Contact a Supervisor:
   • Reach out to a potential PhD supervisor at your chosen NHR Center to discuss your research proposal and confirm their availability.
   • Supervisors can provide guidance on aligning your proposal with the center’s research priorities.
3. Prepare Application Documents:
   • Compile all required documents into a single PDF file (max 10 MB):
     • Application Form: Download by filling this form.
     • Academic Transcripts and Certificates: Include Bachelor’s and Master’s degree certificates and transcripts (translated into English or German if necessary).
     • Curriculum Vitae (CV): Highlight academic achievements, research experience, publications (if any), and HPC-related skills.
     • Statement of Purpose: A 1-2 page letter explaining your motivation, research interests, and why you are a good fit for the NHR Graduate School.
     • Research Proposal: A detailed proposal (typically 3-5 pages) outlining your planned PhD research, aligned with the chosen NHR Center’s thematic fields.
     • Additional Documents: Check the NHR website for any center-specific requirements (e.g., language certificates, portfolio of prior work).
   • Ensure all documents are clear, well-organized, and error-free.
4. Letter of Recommendation:
   • Arrange for one letter of recommendation from an academic or professional referee familiar with your work.
   • The recommender must send the letter directly to [email protected] with the subject line: Application NHR Graduate School. For more details, follow this guide
5. Submit Application:
   • Email your single PDF application to [email protected] with the subject line: Application NHR Graduate School.
   • Ensure submission is before the deadline to avoid disqualification.
6. Follow-Up:
   • After submission, you may be contacted for an interview or additional clarifications by the NHR Center or the selection committee.

Check also: 17 PhD Scholarship Opportunities at the University of Manchester 

Key Dates

• Application Deadline: September 15, 2025, 23:59 CEST.
• Review Period: Applications are evaluated between September and December 2025.
• Notification of Results: Successful applicants are notified by January 2026.
• Funding Start Date: April 1, 2026.
• Funding Duration: Up to 36 months, ending on March 31 of the third year, regardless of the exact start date.
• Summer School: Typically held in June or July each year (exact dates announced annually).

More positions: 11 Fully Funded PhD Scholarships at University of Göttingen, Germany

NHR Centers and Affiliated Universities

Scholars will be based at one of the following nine NHR Centers, each partnered with a prestigious German university:

1. NHR4CES@RWTH: IT Center, RWTH Aachen University
   • Focus: Computational engineering, parallel computing.
2. NHR4CES@TUDa: Hochschulrechenzentrum, Technische Universität Darmstadt
   • Focus: Numerical simulation, AI-driven computing.
3. NHR@FAU: Regionales Rechenzentrum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg
   • Focus: Computational materials science, HPC algorithms.
4. NHR@GWDG: Gesellschaft für wissenschaftliche Datenverarbeitung mbH Göttingen, University of Göttingen
   • Focus: Computational biology, data-intensive computing.
5. NHR@KIT: Steinbuch Centre for Computing, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology
   • Focus: Climate modeling, computational physics.
6. NHR@TUD: Zentrum für Informationsdienste und Hochleistungsrechnen, Technische Universität Dresden
   • Focus: Computational chemistry, big data analytics.
7. NHR@ZIB: Zuse-Institut Berlin, Berlin University Alliance
   • Focus: Optimization, computational mathematics.
8. PC2: Paderborn Center for Parallel Computing, University of Paderborn
   • Focus: Scalable algorithms, quantum computing.
9. Additional Center: Check this guide for details on the ninth center, as specifics may vary.

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Each center offers unique research opportunities. Visit their respective websites or contact supervisors to explore specific projects.

Research Fields

The NHR Graduate School supports a wide range of HPC-related research topics, including but not limited to:

• Computational Sciences: Physics, chemistry, biology, and engineering simulations.
• Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning: AI model training, optimization, and deployment on supercomputers.
• Numerical Methods: Development of algorithms for large-scale simulations.
• Data Science: Big data analytics, visualization, and management.
• Domain-Specific Applications: Climate modeling, materials science, bioinformatics, and more.

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Applicants must align their research proposal with the specific fields offered by their chosen NHR Center. Detailed research themes are available in the NHR research fields document.

Selection Process

• Initial Screening: Applications are reviewed for completeness and eligibility by the NHR Office.
• Evaluation: A selection committee, including representatives from NHR Centers, assesses applications based on:
  • Academic excellence (grades, prior research).
  • Quality and feasibility of the research proposal.
  • Alignment with NHR Center research priorities.
  • Motivation and potential for contribution to HPC.
• Final Decision: Up to nine candidates are selected based on merit and fit with the program’s goals.

Note: Requirements, deadlines, and center-specific details may change. Always verify information on the official NHR website before applying.