The Cusanuswerk (Bischöfliche Studienförderung) offers its doctoral scholarship to full-time doctoral candidates whose dissertation is in its early phase. Funding covers a monthly stipend, a research cost allowance and supplements for children and family. The application also requires membership of the Catholic Church.
This guide draws on the Cusanuswerk leaflet for the classic doctorate (dated 25 June 2026), the foundation home page and the BMFTR rates of the scholarship foundations (October 2026). The BMFTR rates are newer than the leaflet and set the amounts here. Every number can be checked against its original.
Short answer: According to the BMFTR rates (October 2026), the Cusanuswerk pays up to 1,750 euros per month, plus a research cost allowance of 100 euros. The deadline for the next selection round is 1 November 2026. Funding usually lasts three years. Last updated: October 2026.
The most important points
- Funding of up to 1,750 euros per month (BMFTR rate), plus a 100 euro research cost allowance for material costs and travel within Germany.
- Deadline: The submission deadline for the next selection round is 1 November 2026.
- Duration: Three years of regular funding, extendable by six months, at most four years and six months in total.
- Requirements: Admission to a doctorate, full-time study, a dissertation in its early phase and membership of the Catholic Church.
- Supplements: Child allowance, family supplement and a health insurance contribution if you have no compulsory membership in the statutory health insurance.
How high is the Cusanuswerk doctoral scholarship?
According to the BMFTR rates (October 2026), the stipend is up to 1,750 euros per month. The research cost allowance of 100 euros per month is added on top. It is intended for material costs and travel within Germany. Supplements depend on your personal situation.
| Benefit | Amount | Source and date |
|---|---|---|
| Stipend | up to 1,750 euros per month | BMFTR rate, October 2026 |
| Research cost allowance | 100 euros per month | Leaflet, dated 25 June 2026 |
| Child allowance | 155 euros for the first child, 50 euros for each further child | Leaflet, dated 25 June 2026 |
| Family supplement | 155 euros, depending on your situation | Leaflet, dated 25 June 2026 |
| Health insurance contribution | 50 percent of the contribution, at most 100 euros, only without compulsory membership in the statutory health insurance | Leaflet, dated 25 June 2026 |
Worked example. Assumption: Funding for the regular three years plus the six-month extension (42 months), basic stipend of 1,750 euros, only the stipend and the research cost allowance, no supplements. Calculation: (1,750 euros + 100 euros) × 42 months = 77,700 euros. With a child allowance of 155 euros for one child, the total is (1,750 + 100 + 155) × 42 = 84,210 euros. The health insurance contribution is not included in this calculation.
Who can apply?
The leaflet names several requirements. You need German citizenship, with exceptions that the leaflet sets out. You must also be admitted to the doctorate and study full-time. The dissertation should be in its early phase, and the greater part of the research should still lie ahead.
The funding also requires membership of the Catholic Church. The leaflet names neither a minimum grade nor an age limit. Before you apply, check whether the citizenship exceptions apply to your situation.
How long is the funding?
The regular funding period is three years. It can be extended by six months. In total, funding is limited to four years and six months, possibly with further extensions. Plan your dissertation timeline realistically, because the funding period is firm.
When do you have to apply?
The home page of the Cusanuswerk names only one date for doctoral candidates: The submission deadline for the next selection round, 1 November 2026. The leaflet refers to the application dates on the home page but names no months itself.
| Date | Meaning | Status on 26 October 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| 1 November 2026 | Submission deadline for the next selection round | In a few days. Act now. |
| Further dates | Listed on the home page with each call | Check before every application |
The deadline is tight. If you want to submit by 1 November, you need to assemble your documents within the next few days. A report that arrives late can delay the application. If you miss this date, check the next selection date in good time.
How the funding changes your finances
Many doctoral candidates first calculate with the basic amount. The supplements change the total noticeably. Whether a scholarship is taxable and how it affects your insurance depends on your case. Our guide scholarships, tax and social insurance (in German) explains the basics.
If you have no compulsory membership in the statutory health insurance, the health insurance contribution may apply to you and belongs in your planning. According to the leaflet, it is 50 percent of the contribution, at most 100 euros. For the rest of the insurance questions, see our guide to health insurance during a doctorate (in German).
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to be Catholic to apply?
According to the leaflet, the funding requires membership of the Catholic Church. If this does not apply to you, the leaflet does not provide for an application. Clarify this directly with the Cusanuswerk if in doubt.
Can I do a part-time doctorate and still receive funding?
The leaflet requires full-time doctoral study. A part-time doctorate is therefore not eligible under the leaflet.
What does the early phase of the dissertation mean?
It means that most of the research still lies ahead of you. If you are already well advanced, the funding may no longer fit under the leaflet.
Is there a minimum grade?
The leaflet names no minimum grade. Selection depends on the documents the Cusanuswerk requires in the procedure. Check the call for applications for details.
When is the funding paid out?
The documents give no fixed date. Ask the Cusanuswerk when you finalise your financial plan.
What to do next
- Check this week whether all requirements in the leaflet apply to you.
- Request your expert report now and note the deadline of 1 November 2026 in your calendar.
- Calculate your finances with the basic amount, the research cost allowance and the supplements that apply to you.
- Watch the home page of the Cusanuswerk for the next call and check the date there.
Related guides
- Doctoral scholarship of the Heinrich Böll Foundation: Amount and deadlines
- Doctoral scholarship of the Friedrich Naumann Foundation: Amount and deadlines
- Doctoral scholarship of the Hanns Seidel Foundation: Application windows
- Doctoral scholarship of the Studienstiftung des deutschen Volkes
- Financing a doctorate: Position, scholarship or own funds compared (in German)
Sources: Cusanuswerk, leaflet on the classic doctorate (German, dated 25 June 2026), Cusanuswerk, home page with submission deadline (German, accessed October 2026); Heinrich Böll Foundation, scholarship amounts of the German scholarship foundations (BMFTR rates, in German, October 2026).
Last updated: October 2026. This guide is general information, not individual advice.
