The Bi‑nationally Supervised Doctoral Degrees (Cotutelle) pathway from DAAD enables a single PhD to be jointly supervised across two universities—one in Germany and one abroad—under a formal agreement that aligns supervision, examination, and degree award. Crucially, it structures mobility and support so candidates benefit from both systems while pursuing a unified thesis.
Earn a jointly awarded doctorate with two supervisors, two institutions, and one integrated research plan. DAAD’s Bi‑nationally Supervised Doctoral Degrees (Cotutelle) model funds your Germany stays, supports mobility and insurance, and formalizes a shared thesis process—so your PhD gains global recognition and genuine cross‑border depth.
Program Overview: What is a Cotutelle Doctoral Degree?
A Cotutelle is not two degrees; it is one doctorate jointly awarded by two institutions under a negotiated framework.
Candidates register at their home university and, once the Cotutelle agreement is finalized, gain formal affiliation with a German partner. Together, the institutions coordinate supervision, assessment, and administrative steps to ensure academic equivalence.
How the joint framework works
The agreement sets out the governing rules for your PhD: home and host responsibilities, supervision structure, examination board composition, and the language(s) of thesis and defense. In addition, it defines where you reside
Academic value beyond mobility
Because two departments co‑own the intellectual agenda, you gain methodological breadth, access to facilities, and expanded scholarly networks. Moreover, the dual perspective improves the rigor of your argumentation and the reach of your publications.
Eligibility & Funding: Who Qualifies and What Support is Provided?
To qualify, you typically need a Master’s degree (or equivalent) and an active doctoral enrollment at your home university. Both supervisors must agree to co‑supervise, and the institutions must sign the Cotutelle agreement before you submit to DAAD.
What the funding usually covers
DAAD support focuses on the Germany residency phases within your overall PhD:
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- A monthly scholarship calibrated for doctoral study.
- Health, accident, and liability insurance during funded stays.
- Travel allowances, which can include multiple round trips if your plan requires periodic mobility.
Timing and length of stays
The jointly supervised structure often includes 18 to 24 months in Germany, distributed as one long stay or split visits, depending on your research design. This period integrates with your total PhD timeline at
Practical boundaries and expectations
You remain responsible for institutional tuition/fees as defined locally, while DAAD funding primarily offsets living, insurance, and mobility costs in Germany. Consequently, plan your budget carefully and specify how each stay aligns with concrete research outputs.
Application Process & Timeline
All applications are submitted via the DAAD portal. The call typically opens in June each cycle, with a deadline defined by DAAD. Because internal institutional steps take time, start early so your agreement and documents are in place.
Step‑by‑step pathway
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- Secure a supervisory pairing
Approach a German professor whose expertise complements your project. Meanwhile, align your home supervisor on scope, methods, and publication expectations. - Draft the Cotutelle agreement
Clarify supervision duties, residency phases, thesis language, examination format, and IP/data management. Incorporate administrative requirements from both graduate schools. - Prepare your application package
Assemble a research proposal with aims, methods, timeline, risks, and outputs; add academic records, CV, proof of enrollment, and any language documentation. - Submit via the DAAD portal
Complete all fields meticulously; ensure the uploaded agreement and letters match portal guidance. - Monitor and respond
If the portal requests clarifications, answer promptly and provide precise, verifiable information.
- Secure a supervisory pairing
Dates for the next cycle
The call’s opening month remains June, with the exact
Institutional and Supervisory Framework
Success depends on how well both institutions coordinate structures and expectations. Thus, design the agreement to minimize ambiguity and reduce friction during examination and graduation.
Shared supervision and progress reviews
Decide on the meeting cadence, remote vs on‑site supervision, and how progress will be assessed. In practice, many pairs run joint advisory boards or invite external readers to strengthen feedback loops.
Examination, language, and publication decisions
Agree early on:
- Defense location and committee composition.
- Thesis language, plus abstract requirements for the partner language.
- Publication plan, including embargo policies, open‑access choices, and authorship.
Administrative coordination and student services
Beyond visas and housing, align expectations for enrollment status, library access, lab safety, ethics approvals, and data protection. When relevant, confirm intellectual property rules and collaboration contracts with tech‑transfer offices.
Benefits of a Cotutelle Doctorate
A joint award signals a capacity to operate across academic cultures while delivering a single, coherent thesis. Tangible benefits include:
