The Erfurt Doctoral and Postdoctoral Programme (EPPP)

The Erfurt Doctoral and Postdoctoral Programme (EPPP) was launched in 2008 and since then has formed the basis and common framework for the structured and target-oriented support, supervision and (inter)disciplinary training of academics in their qualification phase within the Graduate Centres at the University of Erfurt. The Max Weber Kolleg also organises its support for early career researchers in accordance with the standards of the EPPP. The legal principles of the EPP programme have been laid down by the University of Erfurt in a framework regulation.

Within the framework of the EPP programme

• binding minimum standards for the professional and interdisciplinary qualification of early career researchers are established;
• structures and procedures for doctorates and postdoctoral research projects are quality-assured and
• funding opportunities for early career researchers get created.

The professional qualification concept of the respective Graduate Centre is based on its research-oriented main topic. It consists of various elements that take place regularly, such as colloquia, seminars, lectures, workshops, etc. The programme can be partitioned between a vountarily part and a mandatory part, but participation in certain elements is compulsory for the member. The Graduate Centers themselves make precise arrangements for this. In addition, interdisciplinary qualification programmes for the acquisition of interdisciplinary key competencies are provided for the members of the Graduate Centres, which are carried out by the respective Centres themselves or can be attended as part of the free workhops by the central Academic Skills Training.
Within the Graduate Centres, the members' own qualification projects are regularly discussed and analysed with other members of their peer group. In addition, supervision and professional support for qualification projects (dissertations etc.) is provided by a team of professors.
All Graduate Centres are EPPP-certified for a limited period of time and their programme and structures must undergo regular recertification by the Senate Commission for Research and Graduate Services. This ensures compliance with the high quality standards of the EPPP.

As part of the EPPP, the early academic independence of doctoral candidates and early postdoctoral researcher is to be specifically promoted. For this purpose, Graduate Centres receive an annual budget to finance joint projects such as guest lectures or workshops, where members should be given the opportunity to organise and realise these events.  Additionally, fellows in the EPPP are financially supported by the University of Erfurt in their research projects. For a period of up to four years (doctoral candidates) or five years (postdocs), they can apply for reimbursement of research-related material and travel expenses of up to 600 euros per year from the Research and Graduate Services.

Detailed information on the respective Graduate Centres, the admission procedures and funding opportunities in the EPP programme can be found on the main page of the Research and Graduate Centres.
All relevant documents and forms can be found on the website of the Graduate Services of the University of Erfurt.