Bonn-Melbourne Joint PhD Program 

Through several initiatives, the University of Melbourne and the University of Bonn have recruited over 80 joint PhD candidates. In 2026, Melbourne and Bonn are seeking to expand on these opportunities through a university-wide call for joint PhD projects. Applications are invited, and encouraged, from all faculties and research areas.

Up to four joint PhD projects will be funded across two separate pairs of Principal Investigators (PIs), comprising one PI from Melbourne and one from Bonn. Each of these PI pairs will receive funding to support two joint PhD candidates. In each proposal pair, one candidate will have Melbourne as their Home institution, and the other will have Bonn as their Home institution.  Together, the candidates recruited to these projects will form a 2027 cohort of four jointly enrolled candidates.

The University of Bonn will co-fund stipends for the two Bonn Home PhD Candidates for up to 3.5 years. Successful PIs will also receive additional funding to support collaborative activities. 

Joint PhD candidates are enrolled at both institutions, perform their research under joint supervision, and are graded according to the academic standards of both institutions. Upon successful completion of the program, each candidate will be eligible to receive a joint PhD, recognised by two testamurs acknowledging the joint nature of the award.

The supervisory team must consist of at least two Principal Investigators (PIs), one from Melbourne and one from Bonn. The PIs must have the capacity to serve as primary supervisors for two jointly enrolled PhD candidates. Bonn academics must be authorized to act as primary supervisor for PhD candidates according to the relevant regulations of the respective faculties.

Previous Bonn - Melbourne Research Excellence Fund recipients and applicants are eligible to apply. Current supervisors of joint PhD candidates funded through this program or through the Bonn and Melbourne Research and Graduate School in Immunology are not eligible to apply.

Additional colleagues (including other partners in Australia, Germany, or internationally) can participate in the co-supervision of joint PhD candidates at their own cost. Involvement of shared external partners that benefit the project, for example through research transfer/translation support or providing internship opportunities, are encouraged.

Each pair of PIs should submit one proposal that outlines two joint PhDs projects intended for two joint PhD candidates. These projects can be on a similar research topic or theme, but the candidates cannot rely on each other’s results to progress in their candidature.

In each proposal pair, one candidate will have Melbourne as their Home institution, and the other will have Bonn as their Home institution. The Home institution is where the candidate will conduct the majority of their research, where they receive their scholarship from, and where they are likely to commence and conclude their degree. The candidates must spend at least 12 months at each institution.

The supervision concept put forward by the PIs should outline the planned integration of PhD candidates into their respective research environments. Bonn Home candidates are expected to be integrated into a Bonn International Graduate School or other structured PhD program at the University of Bonn.

The joint PhD projects should be designed to be completed within three years. Candidates should aim to submit their thesis within three years of commencement – with the possibility of two six-month extensions, upon application, to a maximum of four years.

Each university will fund stipends for their Home PhD candidates as well as provide additional funding for collaborative activities.

The University of Bonn will fund 50% of 3-year scholarships (with stipends of €1,800 per month) for each Bonn Home PhD candidate. Successful Bonn PIs need to allocate and contribute the other half of the stipend (i.e., €900/month or €32,400 for 3 years). 

In addition, Bonn PIs will receive €15,000 in a separate project account to support relevant project  activities, including: 

• Graduate recruitment & candidate relocation allowance of up to €1,500
• Candidate and PI travel 
• For the candidate's research stay in Melbourne: costs for visa, travel, and health insurance (Overseas Student Health Cover, OSHC), increase of the stipend by up to €200/month
• Workshop costs

Benefits for Bonn Home PhD candidates (to commence in fall 2027)

• A 3-year tax-free scholarship (stipend) of €1,800 per month, with the possibility of one 6-month extension
• Tuition fee waiver at University of Melbourne
• Relocation allowance to commence at Bonn of up to €1,500.
• Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for the duration of research in Australia;

For more detailed information, please see the program guidelines. 

The proposals will be reviewed according to the following criteria:

• Project design and rationale
• Potential impact
• Collaborator complementarity
• Quality of supervision
• Capacity for expanded collaboration

For more detailed information on the selection criteria, please see the program guidelines.

It is recommended that applications are written in lay terms for reviewers to better understand the project’s potential impact and its anticipated outcomes. A single, jointly prepared proposal must be submitted via the University of Melbourne’s SmartyGrants page and consists of:

• The details of the Bonn and Melbourne PIs, research groups involved, including CV’s and links to PIs website.
• Overview of Program Design for both Melbourne Home and Bonn Home projects (including project rationale, potential impact, collaborator complementarity, supervision concept, and capacity for expanded collaboration) (up to 1,500 words)
• PhD project titles, abstracts (up to 250 words each), and outlines (up to 500 words each) of the proposed Melbourne Home and Bonn Home PhD projects
• Project timeline, outlining the proposed periods of candidate research at Bonn and Melbourne (GANTT chart) 
• Previous collaborations between the PIs, if applicable
• Equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) priorities
• Endorsement for the Melbourne applicant from their Head of School/Department and Faculty's Associate Dean (Graduate Research).

Complete applications must be received by September 30, 2026 (9am CEST / 5pm AEST). The Melbourne team will transfer all submitted applications to the coordinating office in Bonn after the deadline.

Please find a preview of the application form here.

For more detailed information on this call and the PhD program, please consult the guidelines.