Start-up Grants of the Doctoral Program in Literary Studies

The one-year start-up grant is intended to contribute to living expenses during the elaboration phase of a dissertation project in literary studies. The aim of the start-up grant is to prepare and submit a competitive application for follow-up funding or for project employment to the appropriate institutions within six months, in order to then seamlessly continue the dissertation within the framework of third-party funding. The Doctoral Program also supports its members with contributions to conferences, research trips, and archival travel and financial support for their own events.

The international, interphilological Doctoral Program in Literary Studies at the University of Basel offers doctoral students excellent conditions for writing their dissertations in literary studies and closely related fields. The Doctoral Program is part of the Department of Languages and Literatures, which unites the following philologies: Anglophone Literary and Cultural Studies, German Studies, French Studies, Ibero-Romance Studies, Italian Studies, Nordic Studies, Slavic Studies, and Eastern European Studies. The Doctoral Program's research foci include literary and cultural theory, the history of literary forms, arts and media, forms of knowledge, and cultural practice. Currently, the Doctoral Program has a membership about 45 doctoral students, half of which with an international background.

• You have an outstanding MA degree (or equivalent) in one of the philologies represented at the Department of Languages and Literatures or in a related field.

• You have already thought in depth about a dissertation project that will make a significant contribution to your field, and you want to become an active member of the Doctoral Program in Literary Studies.

• For application and admission to doctoral studies, an MA grade of at least 5.0 in the Swiss system, rounded to one tenth, is required.

• The official degree certificate must be submitted by February 9, 2027.

• You must be able to present a confirmation of supervision no later than the interview.