Boehringer Ingelheim Fonds awards these fellowships for experimental PhD research in basic biomedicine at an internationally leading laboratory. European citizens may conduct the PhD in Europe or overseas, while non-European citizens must pursue the project in Europe.
The fellowship is initially awarded for 24 months and may be extended once for up to 18 months. Fewer than 10% of applicants receive a fellowship through a two-stage peer-review process.
Benefits & funding
- The basic stipend is €1,650 per month, with an additional €150 monthly flat rate for minor research costs in most countries.
- Country-related premiums and, where applicable, spouse, child, and childcare allowances may be added.
- The initial 24-month award may be extended once by up to 18 months; fellows may also apply for conference, methods-course, and research-visit travel allowances.
- Tuition, bench fees, overheads, and insurance are not covered.
Eligibility
- European citizens may pursue the PhD in Europe or overseas; applicants of other nationalities must pursue their PhD project in Europe.
- The project must be experimental basic biomedical research aimed at explaining fundamental biological phenomena of human life and generating new scientific knowledge.
- The applicant’s first university entrance qualification must have been completed no more than 96 months before the deadline.
- Natural scientists should hold their last qualifying university degree before starting the PhD; physicians, veterinary surgeons, and pharmacists should have passed their state examinations.
- The applicant must be about to start or have recently started the project and is ineligible if the project began more than six months before the deadline.
Can you apply?
Here's who can apply
Decoded from the official rules. A free account checks them against your passport, degree and age in seconds.
Education required
Bachelor · Master
Appears to have an age limit “up to 18”
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Application process
- 1Register in the online portal when it opens for the relevant deadline.
- 2Complete the CV questionnaire and prepare the English, self-written project proposal in the required six-part template.
- 3Upload the requested academic certificates, reasons for choosing the group, thesis summary, and publication list if applicable.
- 4Arrange two signed English recommendation letters, normally from the PhD supervisor and the MSc or equivalent thesis supervisor, to be sent separately.
- 5Submit the completed online application by 1 February, 1 June, or 1 October; the portal is currently closed.
Program timeline
Most recent completed application deadline used for this record.
Jun 1, 2026
Next published recurring deadline; the application portal currently reports that it is closed.
Oct 1, 2026
About six weeks after a deadline
Pre-selection is completed and applicants are notified.
About five months after a deadline
Final selection is completed and applicants are notified.
Within six months of approval
The awarded fellowship must be taken up.