Dear early career researchers,

We are excited to announce the upcoming Doctoral Council Elections 2025! Here are the key dates:

Nomination Period: April 25 to May 12

Election Days: June 17 & 18

Important Note: Doctoral researchers in your department will only be able to vote if there are nominated candidates to vote for. This is your chance to make a meaningful impact and shape the future of our doctoral community. Stand for election! Watch out for the election announcement by the electoral board of your department.

To find out more about the work of the Doctoral Council listen to the interview with Maren Vogel “We have to be consulted if there are any changes to the PhD regulations specifically” at https://blogs.fu-berlin.de/drs_podcast/2024/12/12/doctoral-council/.

Best wishes and take care,
Your DRS Team

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Jump to ...

DRS Podcast

Spotlight on Research Integrity

Upcoming DRS Workshops

BUA Events and Workshops

Offers from our partners

Calls & Announcements

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DRS Podcast "Drs 4 Docs @ Berlin"

"Challenges in the Journey of First-Gen Doctorates" is the latest podcast episode with Prof. Martin Lücke: https://blogs.fu-berlin.de/drs_podcast/2025/02/19/first-gen-doctoral-researchers/.

The Dahlem Research School podcast "DRS 4 Docs @Berlin" (https://blogs.fu-berlin.de/drs_podcast/) supports prospective and current doctoral researchers during their early career phase. It features expert interviews covering all stages of a doctorate and chats with winners of the supervisor award.

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Spotlight on Research Integrity

NEWS AROUND GOOD RESEARCH PRACTICE
https://www.fu-berlin.de/sites/drs/research-integrity/gwp-news/index.html

NEW E-LEARNING MODULE ‘GOOD RESEARCH PRACTICE FOR DOCTORAL RESEARCHERS’
Integrity is key to research quality. Learn to avoid misconduct, manage data conflicts, and understand plagiarism in our new module.
Developed by experts, this engaging course launches in April 2025.
Stay tuned for updates: https://www.berlin-university-alliance.de/en/commitments/promoting-talent/projekte/gwp/index.html

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 Upcoming DRS Workshops

Dahlem Research School offers an extensive workshop program, most of which is open to all doctoral researchers from the partner institutions of the Berlin University Alliance. Visit our booking platform and check the announcements: www.drs.fu-berlin.de/course_list.

NEW USERS: Register with an institutional email address and confirm your membership.
REGISTERED USERS: Confirm your continued membership once a year.

Publikationsstrategien für Geisteswissenschaftler*innen (in German)
Date: April 28, 10am – noon
Venue: Hittorfstraße 16 (Dahlem Research School)
Registration: https://www.drs.fu-berlin.de/en/node/113257

Self-care during your doctorate
Date: April 30, 9am – noon
Venue: Hittorfstraße 16 (Dahlem Research School)
Registration: https://www.drs.fu-berlin.de/en/node/106815

Open Door Talk: Doctoral Research and Care Responsibility (online)
Date: May 20, 10am – noon
Registration: https://www.drs.fu-berlin.de/en/node/112581

Grant Proposal Writing
This workshop focuses on how to develop your idea for a project into a sound work program, how to match it to the requirements of the funding program and how to facilitate the communication with the reviewer by presenting your complex ideas in an easy to understand way.
Date and venue: May 21 ff. 9am – 12 (noon); online
Registration: https://www.drs.fu-berlin.de/en/node/108020

Wirtschaftswissen kompakt
Der Workshop vermittelt in anwendungsorientierter Form Grundlagen der Betriebswirtschaftslehre für all diejenigen, die sie nicht studiert haben.
Date and venue: 26. + 27. Mai, 9:00-16:00 Uhr; Hittorfstr. 16 (Dahlem Research School)
Registration: https://www.drs.fu-berlin.de/en/node/112259

Wissenschaftsethik: Ich möchte doch nur forschen
Die Teilnehmer*innen werden im Workshop für ethische Probleme in Bezug auf ihr eigenes wissenschaftliches Arbeiten sensibilisiert. Dabei werden sie befähigt, konkrete Problemfelder innerhalb ihrer Forschungsarbeit zu benennen und zu analysieren.
Date and venue: 3. + 4. Juni; online
Registration: https://www.drs.fu-berlin.de/en/node/112560

Einführung in gute wissenschaftliche Praxis und wissenschaftliches Fehlverhalten
Die Teilnehmenden lernen die Grundlagen guter wissenschaftlicher Praxis kennen und wenden sie auf ihre eigenen Fälle an.
Date and venue: 03. Juni (9:00-17:00) + 04.Juni (9:00-12:00); Hittorfstr. 16 (Dahlem Research School)
Registration: https://www.drs.fu-berlin.de/en/node/108020

Even though many workshops are already fully booked, please still register for the waiting list so that we can gauge the level of interest or need you have for the workshops. This helps us plan future sessions or make adjustments. You are also welcome to check free places with our BUA partners: www.berlin-university-alliance.de/en/commitments/promoting-talent/projekte/graduate-studies-support-program/list.

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BUA Events and Workshops

The Berlin University Alliance (BUA) is an alliance of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Technische Universität Berlin and Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin. Together, they are pursuing the goal of creating and shaping an integrated research space in Berlin. All workshops and events offered by the Graduate Studies Support Program are funded by the BUA and therefore participation is free of charge.

SUPERB SUPERVISION – Training for Doctoral Supervisors
Description: Foster independent and confident doctoral researchers while creating a supportive research environment.
Module 1: Building Strong Supervisor-PhD Relationships, April 1 (09:00–17:00) & April 2, 2025 (09:00–13:00)
Module 2: Responsible Research & Supervision, June 18 (09:00–17:00) & June 19, 2025 (09:00–13:00)
URL: https://www.berlin-university-alliance.de/bla/profs/senior/personalfuehrung/index.html#superb

GLÜCK AHOI - Gestärkt und gesund durch die Promotion
Date: 02.-03. April 2025
Registration: https://programm.zewk.tu-berlin.de/de/events/01926be7-41b9-7654-bc2a-dbcc9f01f859

HAPPINESS AHOI - Strengthened and healthy through the doctoral thesis
Date: April 2-3, 2025
Registration: https://programm.zewk.tu-berlin.de/de/events/01926be9-407d-7dc9-b0a7-41dd4d03370a

PRESENTING SCIENCE
Date and venue: April 10 & 11, 9am – 5pm; Luisenstr. 56 (Humboldt Graduate School)
Registration: https://hu.opencampus.com/de/node/8176

CAREER DAY 2026 - Join the organizing team now!
We are looking for doctoral researchers who will co-organize the next Career Day with peers.
Dates: Bi-weekly meetings April-November, weekly meetings December-January
Registration: https://umfrage.hu-berlin.de/index.php/497356?lang=en

WRITING WEEK – (2)
Creative Retreat for Academic Writing to enhance writing skills, advance individual projects and receive individual counselling.
Date: June 16-20, 9 am – 5 pm
Venue: Hittorfstr. 16 (Dahlem Research School)
Registration: https://www.drs.fu-berlin.de/en/node/108021

Discover Your Strengths with the ONLINE COMPETENCE TOOL!
This self-assessment platform helps doctoral researchers and postdocs identify and enhance interdisciplinary skills for diverse career paths. Start exploring your potential today and shape your future with confidence: https://www.berlin-university-alliance.de/en/commitments/promoting-talent/postdoc-academy/competence-tool/

BUA GRADUATE STUDIES SUPPORT PROGRAM OVERVIEW
www.berlin-university-alliance.de/en/commitments/promoting-talent/projekte/graduate-studies-support-program/list/

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 Offers from our partners

BERLIN UNIVERSITY ALLIANCE
https://www.berlin-university-alliance.de/en/events/index.html

BUA POSTDOC ACADEMY
https://www.berlin-university-alliance.de/en/commitments/promoting-talent/postdoc-academy/index.html

CAREER SERVICE DER FREIEN UNIVERSITÄT
https://www.fu-berlin.de/sites/career/veranstaltungen/index.html

CAREER PERSPECTIVES with a PhD in Natural & Life Sciences
https://www.bcp.fu-berlin.de/en/graduiertenzentrum/promovierende/veranstaltungen/careertalks/index.html

LOST IN DISSERTATION? From Literature Management to Publication.
Description: A lecture series for doctoral researchers by FUB, HUB, TUB, and the State Library of Berlin on key topics like literature management, writing process, project management, publication options, Open Access, and research data.
Dates: Virtual event series from April 7 to 11, 2025
URL: https://staatsbibliothek-berlin.de/service/studium-forschung/promovierende/ 

OPEN DATA SEMINAR
Are you interested in learning more about the principles and practices of open data? This seminar provides valuable insights into how to manage, share, and utilize research data effectively, fostering transparency and reproducibility in science.
Target Group: BIH, CHA, BUA, MDC: research fellows, PhDs
Date: April 8, 2025
URL: https://www.bihealth.org/en/translation/innovation-enabler/quest-center/events/course/open-data-seminar

PHILOLOGISCHE BIBLIOTHEK DER FREIEN UNIVERSITÄT
Das Exposé zur Dissertation, Publikationsstrategien, Dissertationspreise
https://www.fu-berlin.de/sites/philbib/schulungstermine-fuer-das-Wintersemester-2024_25/index.html

STATISTISCHE BERATUNGSEINHEIT DER FREIEN UNIVERSITÄT - FU:STAT
(Deutsch oder Englisch, fachbereichsspezifisch und disziplinenoffen):
https://www.stat.fu-berlin.de/schulungen_neu/interne-start/index.html

UNIVERSITÄTSBIBLIOTHEK DER FREIEN UNIVERSITÄT
u.a.Richtig Zitieren, offene Schreibsprechstunde, Literaturverwaltung, Fake-News erkennen, Qualitätskriterien für die Literaturauswahl https://www.fu-berlin.de/sites/ub/ueber-uns/termine/index.html

UNIWIND'S OPEN SCIENCE GUIDE—A MUST-VISIT! (in German)
Explore Open Science with transparency and ease through UniWind's website: https://www.openscience.uniwind.org/. It offers a glossary, FAQs, advice, and links to resources tailored for early career researchers and science managers. Perfect for understanding the benefits of Open Science!

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Calls & Announcements

MACHTMISSBRAUCH - Umfrage zu dyadischen Machtverhältnissen in der Academia.
Das Team am Lehrstuhl für Arbeits-, Organisations- & Wirtschaftspsychologie an der Ruhr-Universität Bochum führt eine anonyme Umfrage durch, um Erfahrungen zur Zusammenarbeit im wissenschaftlichen Kontext in Deutschland zu evaluieren. Sind Sie Promovend:in, PostDoc oder Studierende:r in einem aktiven Abhängigkeitsverhältnis (z.B. Betreuung der Bachelorarbeit)? Dann nehmen Sie gern teil: https://www.soscisurvey.de/machtmissbrauchaow/.

MARGHERITA-VON-BRENTANO-PREIS
Description: Award for achievements in gender research and equality.
Target Group: Individuals or projects in gender research and equality.
Date: April 15, 2025
URL: https://www.mvbz.fu-berlin.de/mvb-preis

ELSA-NEUMANN-SCHOLARSHIP
Description: Berlin funding opportunity: a monthly stipend of €1,350 and an additional €100 for materials, for up to three years.
Target Group: Doctoral researchers with outstanding academic performance and significant contributions to their field.
Application deadline: April 16, 2025, 12 noon
URL: www.fu-berlin.de/en/sites/drs/funding/nafoeg

EINSTEIN FOUNDATION AWARD
Description: Award for promoting quality in research.
Target Group: Researchers, institutions, and early career researchers.
Application Deadline: April 30, 2025
URL: https://award.einsteinfoundation.de/

QUEERDOCS: NETWORKING & EMPOWERMENT FOR LGBTQI+ PHD CANDIDATES
Target Group: Open to all doctoral students of the BUA who identify as LGBTQI+. Bring your ideas and help create a peer mentoring network that truly supports its members.
Date: first networking meeting on the 5th of May 2025!
Registration: https://frauenbeauftragte.hu-berlin.de/de/veranstaltungen/registration-zum-netzwerktreffen

The Max Planck Society offers bundled postdoc positions to interested top talents.
Deadline: 13 May 2025.
URL: https://postdocprogram.mpg.de

DOCTORAL COUNCIL ELECTION // Nominations by May 12
The Doctoral Council offers a unique opportunity to represent your status group across the university. Interested in standing as a candidate, or do you have someone you would like to nominate? Submit your nomination between April 25 and May 12. Keep an eye out for the election announcement from your department's electoral board.
The elections will be held on June 17 and 18. Please note: doctoral researchers in your department can only vote if candidates have been nominated. Don't miss the chance to make your voice heard!

ERNST-REUTER-AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING DISSERTATIONS AT FREIE UNIVERSITÄT BERLIN
Description: Award for the best dissertations completed at Freie Universität in 2024
Target group: Early career researchers & their supervisors
Nomination deadline: May 15, 2025 (to be submitted by the respective FUB departments)
URL: https://www.fu-berlin.de/sites/drs/funding/awards/erp.html

TIBURTIUS AWARD
Description: Award for the best dissertations completed at a Berlin university in 2024
Target group: Early career researchers & their supervisors
Nomination deadline: May 15, 2025 (to be submitted by a professor)
URL: https://www.fu-berlin.de/sites/drs/funding/awards/tiburtius.html

INTERNATIONAL GRADUATE PROGRAM MEDICAL NEUROSCIENCES
Description: Seeking candidates with substantiated interest and experience in cell and molecular biology with a strong clinical connection in the field of Neuroscience.
Dates: May 15, September 15
URL: https://medical-neurosciences.charite.de/en/application_admission/application_doctoral_program

DOCTORAL PROGRAMS AT FREIE UNIVERSITÄT BERLIN
(Annual) Calls for doctoral places, doctoral positions and/or fellowships
https://www.fu-berlin.de/en/sites/drs/doctorate/structured-or-individual/drs_programs

DOCTORAL SCHOLARSHIPS
A selection of the most important institutions that award doctoral scholarships
https://www.fu-berlin.de/en/sites/drs/funding/grants/index.html

FORSCHUNGSPREISE (in German)
www.fu-berlin.de/forschung/service/foerderung/informationen/preise

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Please send your questions and comments to: skills@drs.fu-berlin.deDahlem Research School (DRS)
Hittorfstr. 16
14195 Berlin
+49 30 838 620 61
www.fu-berlin.de/drsClick here to subscribe or unsubscribe from the DRS newsletter.