GC Plus will also be taking part in this year’s Health Days at the University of Duisburg-Essen with activities focusing on mental health in …

GC Plus will also be taking part in this year’s Health Days at the University of Duisburg-Essen with activities focusing on mental health in academia. On Tuesday, 15 September, from 10 a.m., you can find us at our stand at the Health Fair in the Mensa foyer on the Essen Campus. Come by to learn more about our services and talk to us in person.

On Wednesday, 16 September, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., Valentina Vasilov will give an online session on “Mental Health during the Doctorate” (German language). The session is open to all doctoral researchers at UDE.

Registration for the online session will be available via the Workplace Health Management (BGM), expected to open on 31 August when the full Health Days programme is published.

Are you new to the German research system or just starting your doctorate at UDE? The new International Researcher Compass by GC Plus provides …

Are you new to the German research system or just starting your doctorate at UDE? The new International Researcher Compass by GC Plus provides international early career researchers with guidance on navigating the German research system and the academic environment at UDE. To launch the new format, three online sessions will be offered in English this October. The sessions address key topics related to the German research system, starting a doctorate at UDE and maintaining mental wellbeing throughout the doctoral journey. They can be attended individually or in combination. Registration deadline: 4 October 2026. Learn more & register

International experience, networking and collaboration are important elements of research career development. Our new Internationalisation at …

International experience, networking and collaboration are important elements of research career development. Our new Internationalisation at GC Plus website brings together information on opportunities for early career researchers – both for international researchers at UDE and for researchers looking to gain international experience abroad.
In addition to GC Plus programmes and services, the website highlights joint programmes offered by the UA Ruhr Research Academy and provides guidance on key contacts for international mobility, research funding and settling in at UDE. Visit the website

A doctorate is an individual journey – but that doesn’t mean you have to navigate every challenge on your own. In the winter semester 2026/27, …

A doctorate is an individual journey – but that doesn’t mean you have to navigate every challenge on your own. In the winter semester 2026/27, a new round of “Together”, the moderated peer group coaching programme for international doctoral researchers at UDE, will begin. Applications are open until 27 September 2026.
Exchanging experiences with other doctoral researchers can open up new perspectives and help you gain greater clarity about your own doctoral journey. Over six months, “Together” provides a consistent setting for this exchange: participants bring in their own topics and experiences, develop ideas and strategies together, and benefit from the feedback and support of the group.
The new group starts on 5 October 2026 and is open to all international doctoral researchers at UDE.
Find further information, all session dates and details on how to apply here.

Academic qualification phases offer many opportunities, but they can also be shaped by uncertainty, high expectations, stress, and challenging …

Academic qualification phases offer many opportunities, but they can also be shaped by uncertainty, high expectations, stress, and challenging transitions. We support early career researchers in navigating these challenges and finding the support that best fits their individual situation.

On our new website „Mental Health in Academic Work Life“, we have brought together information and support services. These include individual counselling and coaching, peer support formats and workshops, as well as guidance on further services and points of contact within and beyond the university.

The Writing Retreat for Doctoral Researchers, organised by the KWI, is designed for doctoral researchers who are already in the writing phase …

The Writing Retreat for Doctoral Researchers, organised by the KWI, is designed for doctoral researchers who are already in the writing phase of their dissertation. Aimed primarily at researchers in the humanities, cultural studies, and social sciences, the programme provides a focused environment for academic writing, peer exchange, and constructive feedback.
The programme combines dedicated writing sessions with an interactive workshop on “Structuring and Writing” and a peer-feedback session in which participants discuss excerpts from their dissertations. The retreat aims to strengthen academic writing skills, encourage constructive feedback, and foster networking among doctoral researchers. Participation is limited to twelve participants.
Applications must be submitted by 15 August 2026 via email to laura.reiling@kwi-nrw.de, together with a short description of the doctoral project and an excerpt from the dissertation.

Would you like to prepare your first third-party funding proposal? Do you have questions about the UDE-programmes or would you like to know whether …

Would you like to prepare your first third-party funding proposal? Do you have questions about the UDE-programmes or would you like to know whether seed funding or the DFG Erstantragsvorschuss is the more suitable support format for you? At this virtual brown bag session you will have the opportunity to ask your questions after a short introduction to both programmes and receive an assessment of which may be the better option for you. All interested UDE researchers are welcome. Register by 3 September here.

The UDE Postdoc Seed Funding programme aims to support excellent and particularly high-performing postdoctoral researchers at the UDE in developing …

The UDE Postdoc Seed Funding programme aims to support excellent and particularly high-performing postdoctoral researchers at the UDE in developing independent, innovative research projects and preparing successful proposals for third-party funding.
Funding is provided for preparatory work that directly leads to the independent formulation and application for a third-party funded project. Funding for personnel, equipment and travel expenses can be applied for up to a maximum total amount of €30,000. As a rule, the funds must be spent within one year. The decision on funding is made by the university rectorate on the recommendation of the Commission for Research, Early Career Researchers & Knowledge Transfer (FoKo). You can find all information and forms here.