PhD and scholarship program LCCS
The newly established Leuphana Center for Cooperative Security (LCCS) at Leuphana University of Lüneburg invites applications for its international doctoral program “Cooperative Security”, launching in April 2027.
This interdisciplinary program supports innovative PhD research on pressing global security challenges from the perspectives of political science/international relations, economics, law, and psychology. As a doctoral researcher, you will join a vibrant international community at the forefront of 21st-century security research, engaging with leading scholars and practitioners from Germany and around the world.
The program will be closely connected to the LCCS which investigates the sources and consequences of security strategies at the state, societal, and individual levels—and translates these insights into actionable recommendations for politics, business, and society, with a particular focus on Germany in the European context.
For the first cohort, we invite proposals that examine international dimensions of security, particularly:
- Emerging international security threats shaped by patterns of (asymmetric) interdependence in the political, economic, legal, cultural and cognitive realms
- Strategies adopted by state and non-state actors to address international security threats
- (Changing) international security outcomes, including norms, market and governance structures, and institutions
- The interplay between cooperation and autonomy in addressing international security threats
Applications are welcome in the following areas:
As a doctoral candidate in the “Cooperative Security” program, you are enrolled as a regular doctoral student at Leuphana University of Lüneburg. You will experience close mentorship as well as integration into an international research network. The first cohort will start in April 2027. The three-year program is structured as follows:
You write a dissertation and earn an additional 30 credit points as part of the Leuphana doctoral courses, with the additional opportunity to choose seminars focusing on various aspects of cooperative security. The Leuphana doctoral courses consist of the following six modules:
- Engaging with Research Ethics
- Discussing Research Methods
- Discussing Research Perspectives
- Practicing Research for Science and Society
- Research Forum I and II
The program will also contain the following community and support features:
- Introductory workshop with all PhD students
- Writing and progress retreat
- Lectures, workshops and events with international visiting scientists and experts from the field
- Opportunity to contribute to the LCCS’s annual conference
- Workshops and classes for careers in academia and beyond
- Counseling and support structures for the doctoral process
- Additional funding available for participation in conferences and research stays abroad (application-based via the Graduate School)
- Dedicated office space on Leuphana’s award-winning campus
If you are a graduate with an excellent master’s degree (or equivalent) in a relevant field and have a strong interest in interdisciplinary security research, this program is the right choice for you. Outstanding applicants in each research area will be considered for excellence-based scholarships (a monthly stipend of €1,850 plus child allowance, for up to three years). Self-funded or externally funded candidates who meet the academic criteria are also encouraged to apply.
The selection process operates according to the following timeline:
| Application deadline | Applicants submit all required documents | 30 September 2026 |
| Interview | Applicants are requested to save the dates | 9–20 November 2026 |
| Notification | Successful applicants will receive their notification | From 13 November 2026 |
| Acceptance | Successful applicants accept the awarded place in the PhD scholarship program | By 27 November 2026 |
| Apply for enrollment | Successful scholarship applicants submit their online application for enrollment in Leuphana’s doctoral studies program for the 2027 summer term (which starts in April) | As soon as possible from December 2026 |
| Matriculation | Participants are required to enroll at Leuphana | No later than 1 April 2027 |
| Opening week | Welcome event at the Leuphana Graduate School | Early April |
- A research proposal of the envisaged dissertation project (up to four pages)
- A letter of motivation stating your interest in cooperative security research at the LCCS (up to two pages)
- Curriculum vitae
- Certificate of your master’s degree
Once you have been chosen for a scholarship, you enroll in Leuphana’s doctoral program and send the enrollment confirmation to the Graduate School. Only then can the scholarship be granted.
The awarding of scholarships is based on the application materials submitted. In assessing academic excellence, the selection committee will consider, among other factors, the following criteria:
- above-average academic achievement in coursework, modules, or final theses relevant to the proposed doctoral project;
- completion of previous degree programs within an appropriate period of time, with due consideration given to individual circumstances;
- evidence of an emerging academic profile, such as an early publication record, presentations at academic conferences or workshops, or participation in relevant academic training and professional development activities.
We look forward to receiving your application and welcoming you to an ambitious and collaborative research environment.
Who can apply?
Applicants should hold a master’s degree (or an equivalent qualification) in a relevant subject area aligned with the research fields of the program. Self- or externally funded doctoral candidates meeting the scientific criteria are more than welcome to apply.
How can I apply?
Please apply using the application portal (see the link). The portal guides you through the process and instructs you about the documents needed.
The application portal website gives me issues signing in or registering. What is the reason?
First, you must click on “Alternative Sign-In,” then on “create an account” and register there. To complete the registration, you will need to confirm your email address; an email will be sent to you for this purpose. You can then use the login credentials (email and password) you have set up to log in on the portal’s login page under “Alternative Sign-In”. If you encounter any further issues, please contact us at the email address below.
How can I find out whether I have the required qualifications?
As a rule, applications will only be reviewed after the submission deadline has passed. Information on admission criteria can be found on this website. To check whether your degree is equivalent to a master’s, please use the information given on the “anabin” website. There you can access the database of the German Central Office for Foreign Education, which assesses foreign institutions of higher education and the degrees they award. The website is in German only, but you can easily find English-language websites that explain how to use it.
I have not yet received my master’s degree. Can I apply anyway?
You may apply, but please note that you must submit confirmation of your master’s degree as soon as possible. The latest possible date is within three days after you have been offered a scholarship. Otherwise, candidates who have submitted all required documents might be preferred.
Is it possible to apply for and participate in the program without a scholarship?
Yes, applicants bringing their own funding or planning to apply for external funding are very welcome to apply. They may join the program if they meet the qualification requirements.
Do I need to give evidence of my proficiency in English?
No, but as the program will be in English, it is expected that you have a very good command of English. You can get a good sense of the proficiency level expected by perusing our Graduate School’s requirements for master’s programs.
Are international students eligible for this program?
International students are eligible to apply. If you have any further questions about accommodation or student life in Germany, please visit the website of Leuphana’s International Center. The IC is committed to providing individual high-quality service to our international students.
Will I be required to be present on campus for the entire time of the program?
Leuphana University of Lüneburg places great emphasis on intensive personal interaction, and the campus is an inspiring place for academic exchange. Funded researchers are therefore expected to be present on the Leuphana campus in accordance with the requirements of their doctoral courses and doctoral research group. Exceptions can be made, but this requires permission from the potential supervisor.
Are there any further conditions for receiving a scholarship?
If you already have a PhD, you are not eligible for a scholarship. However, you may still be offered joining the program if your application has excellent quality. There is also a small number of rules regarding, for example, secondary employment. You can find out more on this website.
Will it be possible to extend the funding period if the PhD project is not finished within the initial timeframe?
Under Leuphana’s PhD scholarship guidelines, the funding period may be extended by up to one year only in cases of serious illness or disability, or to provide care for a child under 14 years of age, or for a dependant with substantial care needs at home.
How much is the child allowance when I receive one of the scholarships?
Once you have been awarded a scholarship, you may apply for child allowance for children under the age of 18 who live in the same household. Child allowance can be granted as follows:
- € 155 per month for the first child
- € 50 per month for each additional child
How many scholarships are available for the “Cooperative Security” program?
For the first cohort, five scholarships are available, one for each research area. A second cohort of the same size is planned to be announced in 2027.
Are there opportunities for networking or mentorship for program participants?
All program participants become part of not just the LCCS community but also our Graduate School community. This means you will have networking opportunities and access to resources that can aid in career advancement.
Leuphana Center for Cooperative Security
Universitätsallee 1, C4
21335 Lüneburg
For general questions regarding the application process, please contact lccs@leuphana.de. For questions related to the subject and the required qualifications, please contact the main supervisor(s) of the respective research areas.