Basel G3S PhD Scholarships 2027: CHF 32K, Apply by Nov 9

University of Basel G3S PhD Start-Up Scholarships 2027: At a Glance

Funding Structure

Each successful applicant receives CHF 32,000 for 12 months. The University of Basel pays the award in two instalments:

The second instalment is tied to submission of a suitable funding proposal for the next stage of the doctoral project. The scholarship therefore acts as a bridge between initial PhD development and longer-term external or project-based doctoral financing.

Eligibility

Applicants must hold a Master’s degree in a field represented by G3S with a final grade of at least 5.0 on the Swiss grading scale.

The doctorate should be at an early stage and should fit the academic profile of the University of Basel Department of Social Sciences and G3S.

Eligible Research Fields and Priority Themes

G3S welcomes candidates from disciplines represented within the Department of Social Sciences and its interdisciplinary programmes, including:

• anthropology / ethnology;
• cultural anthropology;
• Middle Eastern studies;
• political science;
• sociology;
• gender studies;
• African studies;
• Islamic and Middle Eastern studies / SWANA;
• science of religion;
• International Graduate School North-South;
• sustainability research; and
• related interdisciplinary social-science fields represented within G3S.

Suitable dissertation projects must analyse current dynamics of social change. The call particularly encourages projects connected with:

• conflicts;
• migration; and
• resources.

Supervisor Confirmation Is Required

Dissertation projects must be supervised by eligible faculty members of the University of Basel Department of Social Sciences.

This is not a scholarship where candidates can wait until after selection to identify a supervisor.

Required Application Documents

The current call requires:

1. motivation letter and CV, including a publication list where applicable;
2. draft of the PhD project — approximately 5 pages;
3. one or two writing samples, with at least one drawn from an academic qualification requirement;
4. academic diplomas or transcripts showing the date and grade of the Master’s degree; and
5. a list of foundations and other possible funding sources that could support the remaining duration of the PhD.

How to Apply

1. Confirm that your Master’s discipline and grade satisfy the G3S requirements.
2. Identify an eligible University of Basel Department of Social Sciences supervisor.
3. Secure the supervisor’s confirmation before the scholarship application is submitted.
4. Prepare the motivation letter, CV, five-page PhD draft, writing samples, academic records and continued-funding list.
5. Submit the application in English or German.
6. Send the application by email or in paper form to G3S by 9 November 2026.

CareerAidHub Application Guidance

The following points are application strategy rather than additional University of Basel criteria.

• Contact supervisors early: supervisor confirmation is a formal application requirement, so academic fit must be resolved before the deadline.
• Use the five-page proposal efficiently: define the problem, research question, conceptual framework, methodology and why the project fits G3S.
• Show how the project addresses social change: make the relationship to conflicts, migration, resources or another relevant social-change dynamic explicit where genuinely applicable.
• Treat future funding as part of the application: the scholarship is designed to lead to longer-term financing, and applicants must already identify possible funding bodies.
• Select writing samples strategically: choose work demonstrating the analytical and writing skills required for the proposed PhD.
• Do not overstate the award: CHF 32,000 is start-up funding for 12 months, not an automatic multi-year doctoral package.