The Freiburg Rising Stars Academy connects outstanding international early career researchers with scientists at the University of Freiburg. The aim is to foster interdisciplinary collaboration, international exchange, and potential long-term research partnerships.
What the Programme Offers:
- Access to Freiburg’s interdisciplinary research environment
- Mentorship by leading academics across various disciplines
- Opportunities for collaboration with Clusters of Excellence and top research groups
- Networking with regional and international academic institutions
- Foundation for future career opportunities, including potential group leader or tenure-track roles (not guaranteed)
Key Research Areas:
Includes but is not limited to:
- Materials Science
- Chemistry, Biology, Genetics
- Informatics, Physics, Engineering
- Microscopy, Medicine
- Theology, Economics, Forestry
- Sustainability and Transregional Research
Important Notes:
- The academy is not a PhD or Postdoctoral programme
- Participation does not guarantee employment or funded positions at the University of Freiburg
- It is a platform for networking, mentoring, and research collaboration
Institutional and Regional Support:
Host Principal Investigators come from various research centres and Clusters of Excellence at Freiburg. The programme is supported by:
- University of Freiburg
- Neue Universitätsstiftung Freiburg
- Regional and state-level partners such as Baden-Württemberg International and FWTM Freiburg
Application Timeline
- Application Period: May 26 – July 15, 2025
- Review Phase: July – August 2025
- Acceptance Letters Sent: September 2025
- Digital Kick-Off: November 13, 2025
- Virtual Project Phase: November 2025 – February 2026
- Conference Week in Freiburg: March 16–20, 2026
- In-Person Residence in Freiburg: Between May – December 2026
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must:
- Have at least two years of PhD-level research experience
- Be currently enrolled as a PhD student or employed as a postdoctoral researcher
- Belong to one of the following categories:
- International researchers (based anywhere globally)
- International researchers based in Germany
- German citizens working abroad (non-residents of Germany for at least 2 years)
Application Tracks
Applicants can choose from two tracks:
Track 1 – Host-PIs:
Apply to work directly with a specific Host Principal Investigator whose research aligns with your background and interests.
Track 2 – Topic-Based (via partner institutions):
Propose a project aligned with one of the following host centres:
- CIBSS – Centre for Integrative Biological Signalling Studies
- Future Forests
- livMatS – Living, Adaptive and Energy-autonomous Materials Systems
Each centre offers a slightly different application approach, so review their requirements closely.
Application Documents
Submit your application through the University of Freiburg’s central platform. Required materials include:
- Completed application form (PDF available from the programme website)
- Supporting documents as outlined in the form
Deadline to apply: July 15, 2025
For further details or to apply, please visit the program’s website.
