Cologne Graduate School of Ageing Research (CGA) PhD programme, class of 2027
Cologne Graduate School of Ageing Research (CGA), University of Cologne, University Hospital of Cologne and the Max Planck Institute for Biology of Ageing
Who can apply: A Master’s degree or equivalent (MD, Diploma) in the life or natural sciences, such as biology, cell or molecular biology, biochemistry, bioengineering, bioinformatics, biophysics, genetics, medical biology or translational medicine, with enough research experience. You can apply before the Master’s is awarded if you… What is funded: Every PhD student gets an employment contract of at least three years with social benefits, paid at 65 per cent of TV-L 13, which the school puts at about EUR 2,060 net a month in the first year (or an equivalent Max Planck PhD support contract). If the thesis runs past the contract, the host PI keeps funding it on… Deadline: 3 November 2026. Round: PhD class beginning in 2027.
Read the full call and apply on the official page: Cologne Graduate School of Ageing Research (CGA), University of Cologne, University Hospital of Cologne and the Max Planck Institute for Biology of Ageing, official page.
Who can apply
- A Master's degree or equivalent (MD, Diploma) in the life or natural sciences, such as biology, cell or molecular biology, biochemistry, bioengineering, bioinformatics, biophysics, genetics, medical biology or translational medicine, with enough research experience. You can apply before the Master's is awarded if you hold it by the PhD start (July to October 2027). English at C1 level; a test certificate is optional and a written statement of fluency is accepted. The school supports international students with visas and residence permits. Certificates in non-Latin scripts need an official translation.
Stage dates
The online application portal opened on 11 August 2026.11 August 2026
Complete applications must be submitted through the online portal by 3 November 2026 at 23:59 CET. You need a research proposal, statements on research experience and motivation, three host groups, and two referees.3 November 2026
Referees must submit their letters through the portal by the referee deadline, which the school sets at one week after the application deadline. Late references are not considered.See the official page
Up to 80 shortlisted candidates take online panel interviews on 7 to 10 December 2026. About 25 are then invited to a recruitment week in Cologne on 15 to 19 February 2027, with hotel and travel covered.7 December 2026
Dates come from the funder's page for this round. When a round closes, the next round's dates replace these once the funder publishes them.