Frequently Asked Questions

In accordance with Section 25.3 of the Berlin Higher Education Act (Berliner Hochschulgesetz, BerlHG), a Doctoral Council will be elected at Freie Universität Berlin for the first time this year.

The Doctoral Council consists of twenty-two members and twenty-two deputies, all of whom are appointed for a two-year period. The election is carried out in accordance with the current Electoral Regulations of Freie Universität Berlin (FU-WahlO). Efforts should be made to ensure that the term of office for the members and deputies of the Doctoral Council elected in the first election on May 15, 2024, coincide with those of the Academic Senate.

All doctoral researchers at Freie Universität Berlin have the right to vote and the right to stand as a candidate in the Doctoral Council election, provided (1.) they have received an official invitation to begin their doctoral studies by the relevant doctoral board of their department, and (2.) they are a member of Freie Universität (whether through employment or on the basis of their current enrollment) on the day of the deadline for nominating candidates and on the day of the election itself.