Bonn BIGS Mathematics PhD 2027: Funded Positions
The University of Bonn is currently accepting applications for its Bonn International Graduate School in Mathematics (BIGS) PhD call, with a stated application deadline of 6 December 2026. Applicants are considered for admission and available funding, including three-year Hausdorff Doctoral Positions. Funding is competitive and is not automatically included with BIGS admission.
University of Bonn, Germany
Doctoral (PhD)
6 December 2026
English; German not required
Funding and benefits
BIGS admission does not automatically include funding. During admission, BIGS screens applicants for available support and informs successful candidates about relevant opportunities. Selected applicants ready to begin dissertation research may receive a Hausdorff Doctoral Position for three years. The university describes these as employment at 75% of the German TV-L E13 scale, including health care and social-security benefits, with an approximate net salary of €2,000–€2,300 per month depending on personal circumstances.
Applicants may also be screened for IMPRS Moduli Spaces positions and grants. Treat every funding decision as competitive; an admission offer alone should not be read as a funding guarantee.
Eligibility
- A master’s degree, or equivalent, in mathematics is normally required.
- In exceptional cases, applicants with a bachelor’s degree may be admitted.
- Applicants need English proficiency at approximately B2 level. The published benchmarks are TOEFL iBT above 80 or IELTS 5.5.
- Native English or German speakers may state their exemption in the application form.
- German-language knowledge is not required.
Required documents
- Completed online application form, including funding and visa information
- Curriculum vitae covering education, experience and relevant achievements
- Motivation letter of no more than two pages
- Proof of English proficiency or a stated applicable exemption
- Latest master’s transcript, including current or planned final-term courses
- Bachelor’s transcript and degree document
- A substantial sample of academic work in mathematics, in English
- At least two letters of recommendation, submitted separately by referees
Documents must be in English or German. Certificates in another language need a certified translation. The university asks for regular PDF files no larger than 2 MB each and filenames without special characters.
How to apply
- Read the official BIGS eligibility, funding and document rules.
- Prepare the CV, motivation letter, transcripts, language evidence and academic-work sample.
- Contact at least two referees and confirm that they can submit their letters independently.
- Complete the electronic application through the current application link on the official BIGS page.
- Indicate which funding routes you want to be considered for and disclose any funding already secured or in progress.
- Submit before the current call deadline and confirm that referee materials are delivered as instructed.
Deadline: scholarship call versus regular BIGS dates
The BIGS admissions page currently displays a separate “Current application for PhD positions” deadline of 6 December 2026. It does not state a submission time or time zone for that call, so applicants should not assume a midnight cutoff and should submit early.
The same page also describes the school’s usual admission rounds as ending on 15 November and 15 April. For this article, 6 December 2026 is reported specifically because it is the date attached to the current linked PhD-position call; it should not be substituted for general admissions dates in other cycles.
Selection process
The Graduate Admission Committee evaluates applications in consultation with faculty members. Shortlisted candidates are interviewed. The university’s general timeline places interviews in December–January for the autumn round and May–June for the spring round, followed by admission outcomes in February or July respectively. The current linked call may communicate its own operational dates, so candidates should follow instructions received through the application system.
Practical applicant tips
- Use the motivation letter to identify a focused mathematical field and explain why Bonn is a strong match.
- Name a potentially suitable Bonn faculty member if you already know one, but do not imply agreement unless contact has occurred.
- Choose an academic-work sample that clearly demonstrates mathematical reasoning and development.
- Ask referees early and verify their email addresses before submitting.
- Plan finances conservatively until a written funding offer is received.
Related opportunities
- Cologne Ageing Research PhD 2027
- EMBL International PhD 2027
- Freiburg DAAD-MEG Scholarship 2027–28
- UBC International Scholars Program 2027
Frequently asked questions
Is every BIGS Mathematics admission fully funded?
No. BIGS explicitly says admission does not automatically include funding. It screens applicants for available opportunities, and only selected candidates receive positions or scholarships.
What is the deadline for the current Bonn Mathematics PhD positions?
The official page currently states 6 December 2026. It does not publish a time or time zone for this deadline.
Is German required?
No. BIGS states that German is not required. The program’s working and teaching language is English.
Can a bachelor’s graduate apply?
A master’s degree or equivalent is normally required, although BIGS says exceptional bachelor’s graduates may be admitted.
Official sources
- University of Bonn: BIGS Mathematics PhD admission, funding, documents and selection
- MathJobs application platform referenced by the current official call
Apply Now / View Official Call
ScholarshipHubNow verifies details against official sources, but universities may update calls. Always rely on the live official page and your application portal for final instructions.
