I. APPLICATION

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• When will the PHD program start?

The program starts on October 1, 2025.

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• When will it be possible to apply for the program?

Application is open now. Please check our website at /de/forschung/einrichtungen/institute/wzu/studium/idk/!

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• What is the application deadline?

The deadline for applications is January 31, 2025.

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• Can I hand in missing documents later than January 31st?

We urge you to please hand in the complete application by January 31st. However: if you have completed and handed in your master's thesis (or another, comparable degree thesis) but have not yet received the degree certificate, you may hand in the latter until March 31st, 2025.

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• Is this a 4-year program, or does it end after 2 years?

It is a 4-year program with an intermediate evaluation after the first two years. This evaluation follows a particular protocol; it's purpose is to make sure an individual PhD project is progressing the way it should, and that the PhD student will most probably be able to hand in their dissertation by the end of the program.

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• Am I eligible to apply to the program?

Applicants must have a completed degree (M.A., M.Sc. or equivalent) with very good grades in one of the participating disciplines. We particularly encourage interdisciplinary proposals.

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• What language will the program be taught in?

The program will be taught in English.

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• Do I need to speak German/English?

Applicants are expected to speak English fluently upon entering the program. Exchange with external partners is often in German, but translation will be provided. Since German is the language used in most university departments outside of IDK, we expect that international PhD students acquire conversation skills in German during the first two years of the program. Both universities offer language courses, and the IDK offers additional financial support for special courses offered by private institutions.

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• Do I have to do an English language certificate if I don't have one already?

No. If you don't have an official document that certifies a C1 level of English (e.g. TOEFL, or Cambridge Certificate) you do not have to take such a test now. We trust that candidates are aware that they cannot possibly do their PhD in an international context without very good English language skills, and we will make sure an invited candidate's level suffices during the interview.

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• What do I need to include in my application?

Submissions should include the online application form (available from our website), a letter of motivation (400 words max.), a short CV (max. 2 pages), a PhD proposal (max. 1500 words, including abstract and bibliography), certified copies of your university degree(s), a recent publication (e.g. peer-reviewed article, book chapter), or your final thesis if applicable. The application may be written in either English or German. Please make sure to send all documents and certificates electronically as a single pdf file (up to 8 MB).

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• Do I have to include a timeline in my application?

No.

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• Am I expected to include a letter of recommendation in my application?

Not at this stage of the application process. If you should enter the short list of the selection procedure following the application deadline, you will receive an email asking you to deliver a letter of recommendation. To facilitate things for the scholar writing that letter, we will send a form to be filled out.

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• What are the requirements for international students?

International students must submit all regular application documents to the program. In addition, once accepted into the program, international students must complete all application procedures required by the International Offices at Augsburg University and LMU Munich. Further enrollment requirements for international students outside of the EU, depending on your country of origin, can be found on the website of the Augsburg University International Office and the LMU Munich International Office. The program supports the Visa process once you are accepted into the program.

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• Is it still possible to consider my application after the deadline?

No. We cannot consider any applications received after the deadline.

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• When will I be notified whether my application was successful?

The top candidates are selected based on the strength of their applications and will be invited to an interview. All applicants are informed via email as soon as a decision has been made (expect to be informed no later than August 2025.

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• Can I apply if my discipline is not mentioned in the associated disciplines?

Yes, as long as there is a clear connection in your project to the program and its theme, and as long as you can identify one of our PIs (check out the IDK advisory team on our website) who represents a discipline that is closely related to your own. Please read the next entries to learn more about the advisory teams.

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II. STUDY PROGRAM

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• What is the basic structure of the program?

The program puts an emphasis on workshops, some of which are mandatory while others are elective or voluntary. Among the formats are “masterclasses” (intensive workshops with guest professors, tailored to the needs of small student groups) and “field workshops” (excursions including interdisciplinary exchange with external experts, artists, and researchers). In the first two semesters, all PhD students visit the interdisciplinary “Oberseminar,” where central terms like “transformation” and the interdisciplinary field “environmental humanities” are discussed from various disciplinary viewpoints. The IDK-Colloquium takes place once a year and serves as an opportunity to discuss participants’ dissertation work with a larger interdisciplinary audience of doctoral students and advisors.

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• Can I choose a supervisor myself?

Participants will be advised by a dissertation committee consisting of three faculty members, including the candidate’s main advisor. The main advisor represents the discipline in which candidates will obtain their doctoral degree. To find out whether there is a supervisor in our advisory team who fits your research interests, check out the “advisory team” site on the IDK website (https://rethinking-environment-idk.de/people/advisors/). If you or we think that a different person from the supervisory team fits better with your project and your individual needs, this will be discussed with you in person if you are accepted. We will also help you determine your second and third advisor after the program has started.

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• Can I apply if my discipline is not represented by someone in the advisory team?

That depends on whether there is someone in the advisory team who is enough of an expert to supervise your work.

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• Can I decide at which university I am enrolled?

No, you will be enrolled at the institution where your supervisor is located.

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• Will I have an office?

Shared office space for IDK members at WZU und RCC is part of the IDK teambuilding and networking strategy. You are expected to work from the office on a regular, daily basis.

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• How will I get from Augsburg to Munich and vice versa and will I have to pay for it myself?

Commuting costs are part of our budget. You will travel, either individually or as a group to either Augsburg or Munich to visit seminars, lectures, etc. The two cities are close; train rides take 30-40 minutes.

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• Will the program provide accommodation?

No, we cannot provide accommodation. Further information on enrollment for international doctoral candidates and accommodation as well as life in Augsburg and Munich can be accessed through the International Offices at the University of Augsburg and LMU Munich.

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• Can I study this program part-time?

No.

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• Is there financial aid available?

The TVL-13 65 % positions cover your rent and costs of living. The program includes a budget for research and conference trips and pays for accommodation during IDK workshops held elsewhere.

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• I have family. Will they be able to join me?

Our universities stand up for compatibility of family and professional life and offer an infrastructure (like daycare) for younger children. However, we cannot cover additional costs for spouses and/or families. The program can be prolonged, in accordance with German law, for the duration of maternity protection and parental leave.

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• Is the program committed to gender equality and sexual diversity?

The IDK is committed to creating an environment where gender diversity is natural and can be lived openly. We especially welcome applications from women and LGBTQI+ and consider gender an important category of scholarly research and analysis. I have a disability. Will I be able to participate in the program?

• I have a disability/chronic illness. Will I be able to participate in the program??