Finding funded PhD and master's positions abroad: a practical checklist

Many GEB graduates continue into master's and PhD programmes abroad. Funded positions exist in many countries and fields, but finding them and applying well takes planning. Use this checklist to structure the process. Requirements differ between countries, universities and funders, so always confirm the details on the official page of each programme.

1. Decide what you are looking for

• Degree: a master's first, or a PhD directly? Some systems admit strong bachelor's graduates to PhD programmes, others expect a master's.
• Field: be specific — for example plant biotechnology, immunology or bioinformatics — because supervisors recruit for projects, not for broad subjects.
• Funding: look for positions that are fully funded (tuition and a living stipend), and read carefully what "partially funded" means.
• Countries: consider language requirements, visa rules and the length of programmes.

2. Know where positions are advertised

• University and department websites, especially graduate school and lab pages.
• National and international scholarship programmes.
• Research group pages, where supervisors often post open projects.
• The association's Opportunities board, where you can filter by type, field, degree level, funding type and location, and sort by the soonest deadline.

3. Prepare your documents early

1. A clear academic CV: education, research experience, techniques, publications or posters, and awards.
2. Transcripts and certificates, with certified translations if required.
3. Language test results, if the programme asks for them. Check which tests are accepted and how recent the results must be.
4. A statement of purpose or motivation letter written for each programme, not a generic one.
5. Reference letters. Ask your referees well in advance and give them your CV and the deadlines.

4. Contact potential supervisors thoughtfully

For many PhD positions, a short, specific email to a potential supervisor matters. Read some of their recent papers, explain in a few sentences why their project fits your background, attach your CV, and ask whether they are recruiting. Keep it brief and polite, and follow up once if you do not hear back.

5. Track every deadline

Keep a simple spreadsheet with each programme, its deadline (including the time zone), the required documents, and the status of your application. Deadlines are often at a specific time in the provider's time zone, so do not leave submission to the last evening.

6. Prepare for interviews

Be ready to explain your previous research clearly: the question, what you did, what you found and what you would do differently. Prepare a few questions of your own about the project, supervision and funding.

7. Ask the community

GEB alumni are studying and working in many places. Use the Alumni Directory to find graduates in your field or country of interest and ask a specific question, or start a discussion in the Forum. And if you find a good opportunity yourself, use "Post an Opportunity" so others can benefit too.