Maria Reiche Postdoctoral Fellowships

The Maria Reiche Postdoctoral Fellowships support female early-career researchers who intend to independently acquire a third-party funded project in order to qualify for a scientific career at TU Dresden with the ultimate goal of becoming a professor. The postdoc phase is the essential qualification stage for an academic career, requiring the development of an independent scientific portfolio that can lead to an appointment.

Key features of the programme:

• Full-time fellowship for up to 24 months

• Focus on grant preparation — The core goal is to develop and submit an independent research proposal to an external funding body

• Targeted third-party programmes — DFG Emmy Noether, ERC Starting Grant, DFG Heisenberg, and similar schemes

• Institutional integration — Fellows are embedded within a hosting professorship or research institution at TU Dresden

• Gender equality mission — Contributes to improving the representation of women at the postdoctoral qualification level and increasing female scientists in top positions

• No employment relationship — The grant is tax-exempt under German law but does not constitute employment

Related: Learn more about TU Dresden and the Graduate Academy.

Successful Maria Reiche Fellows receive comprehensive financial and infrastructure support:

• Monthly scholarship rate — €2,670.00 per month for the full duration of the fellowship (up to 24 months)

• Family allowance — €400.00 per month for the first child; €100.00 per month for each additional child

• Workplace equipment subsidy — Up to €2,500.00 for basic workplace equipment at the respective professorship or research institution

• Full-time research focus — Dedicated time to develop your independent scientific profile and prepare a major external grant application

• Institutional affiliation — Integration into a TU Dresden professorship with access to infrastructure, labs, and academic networks

• Interim and final reporting — Structured milestones with feedback from the selection committee

Note: The fellowship is a grant, not an employment contract. It is tax-exempt under § 3 Nr. 44 of the German Income Tax Act (EStG) but is not subject to social insurance contributions. Fellows must arrange their own health, accident, and liability insurance.

All applications must be submitted as a single digital PDF file with the subject line "Maria Reiche Postdoctoral Fellowships" to the Graduate Academy at the email address provided on the official page. The following documents are required:

• Online application form — Completed and signed (available as a download on the official page)

• Annex to the application form — Additional information as specified in the application package

• Letter of Recommendation — From the hosting professorship at TU Dresden, including:

  • Assessment of the proposed work programme for the scheduled funding period

  • Assessment of the research topic

  • Declaration on setting up necessary framework conditions (infrastructure, connection to the professorship/research institution)

• Letter of Reference — From another university professor (does not need to be from TU Dresden; should provide meaningful information about your previous academic career and scientific research activities)

• Faculty statement (if applicable) — Statement from the Faculty confirming that habilitation will be supported at the Faculty

• Project description — See detailed guidelines below

Important: Intermediate digital storage of the online application form is not possible — complete it in one session or prepare your answers in advance. Ensure your PDF is complete and submitted by the deadline.

Applicants must meet the following requirements:

• Gender: Female early-career researchers only

• Doctorate completion: Must have completed their doctorate no longer than six years ago (calculated to the month before the requested start of funding)

• Maternity and parental leave: Periods of maternity leave and parental leave taken between doctorate completion and the month before the requested start of funding are added back to the six-year window

• Career goal: Must intend to pursue an academic career leading to a professorship, and must plan to submit an independent third-party funding proposal during the fellowship period

• Host institution: Must secure a hosting professorship or research institution at TU Dresden willing to support the proposed work programme

Tip: If you are close to the six-year limit, calculate carefully including any parental leave periods. Contact the Graduate Academy for an individual consultation if uncertain.

Follow these steps to apply for the Maria Reiche Postdoctoral Fellowship:

1. Attend a Q&A session (optional but recommended) — Register for one of the online sessions on 1 July, 22 July, 19 August, 2 September, or 16 September (1–2 p.m.) to clarify questions about documents, selection, and funding terms

2. Identify a hosting professorship — Contact a professor or research group at TU Dresden who agrees to host you and support your proposed project

3. Secure your letters — Request the Letter of Recommendation from your hosting professor and a Letter of Reference from another university professor

4. Prepare your project description — Write your 4-page project plan following the guidelines above

5. Complete the application form — Fill in the online application form and annex (prepare answers in advance as intermediate saving is not possible)

6. Compile your application — Merge all documents into a single PDF file

7. Submit by email — Send the complete application with the subject "Maria Reiche Postdoctoral Fellowships" to the Graduate Academy by 30 September 2026