Doctoral Students for the DIW Graduate Center PhD Program in Economics DIW Berlin - Deutsches Institut für Wirtschaftsforschung e.V.

The DIW Graduate Center (GC) at the German Institute for Economic Research welcomes applications from highly qualified students from around the world to enroll in its structured doctoral program in Economics.

The goal of the DIW Graduate Center is to provide outstanding doctoral students with a research environment and a training structure that will allow their talents to fully develop. The program equips them with a deep understanding of economic and social processes while offering them the opportunity to apply their knowledge at the largest economic research institute in Germany.

We are looking for

Doctoral Students for the DIW Graduate Center PhD Program in Economics

The DIW Graduate Center offers a five-year program of in-depth training in Economics leading to a PhD from one of Berlin’s universities. Students will complete a rigorous coursework curriculum and receive on-the-job training in DIW Berlin’s research departments. Students' research may be theoretical or applied in nature. Most work at the GC, however, has a strong empirical component. The program also encourages funded internships at prestigious institutions such as the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank and government ministries, as well as research stays at renowned universities around the world.

The DIW Graduate Center offers five years of funding with a standard stipend of 1,650 euros per month in the first year and a work contract in subsequent years. After completing the first year, doctoral students will join one of the research departments at the institute.

Requirements:

Applicants to our PhD program must hold a master’s degree or diploma in Economics. Applications may also be submitted while the degree is still in progress, provided it is completed before the program starts. Degrees from other related fields (such as statistics, quantitative social sciences, mathematics or engineering) may also fulfill requirements for the program if the applicant has a sufficient background in Economics.

Applicants whose native language is not English must demonstrate English language proficiency unless they hold a degree from a university in an English-speaking country or can document at least one year of studies in an English-speaking degree program. A high score on the TOEFL or IELTS test is considered sufficient evidence of English proficiency. Knowledge of German is not required for a successful application, but students are encouraged to learn German and improve their language skills over the course of the program

Application and Information:

We value diversity and therefore welcome all applications—regardless of gender, disability, nationality, or ethnic and social background.

Please apply only online through our application portal by January 15, 2027, quoting the reference number GC-1-26-Stip-e and include the following application documents:

• Motivation letter (max. 2 pages) explaining your reasons for applying and briefly outlining your major research interests;
• Detailed curriculum vitae (without photograph);
• Two academic letters of recommendation, to be submitted directly by senior academics (e.g., professors, postdoctoral researchers) via our application site;
• Copies of academic transcripts and other certificates;
• Completed application form (can be found on our application site);
• IELTS or TOEFL scores, if applicable;
• GRE General Test – Test Taker Score Report (PDF), if applicable. Please also attach your GRE Test if you have already submitted it to the Institutional Account.

You can access the application portal via our GC website under application site.

Please note that only applications submitted through the application portal will be considered and that the application is to be completed in English.

Do you have any questions about this call for applications or the online application?

You may find your question already answered on our GC website, particularly in the FAQ section of the application site — please take a look before contacting us.

If you still have questions after reviewing our GC website, please contact gradcenter@diw.de for content-related inquiries and recruiting@diw.de for technical questions regarding the online application.

Founded in 1925, DIW Berlin (the German Institute for Economic Research) is one of the leading economic research institutes in Germany. The Institute analyzes the economic and social aspects of topical issues, formulating and disseminating policy advice based on its research findings. DIW Berlin is part of both the national and international scientific communities, provides research infrastructure to academics all over the world, and promotes the next generation of scientists. A member of the Leibniz Association, DIW Berlin is independent and primarily publicly funded.