Call for MD/PhD Program Applications

The overall goal of the DZIF Academy is to close the gap of multidisciplinary training approaches within infection research in order to master the biological complexities associated with infectious diseases. MDs in particular are encouraged to pursue a career in infection research and contribute to the translation of novel findings from bench to bedside. Reflecting its dedication to training next-generation Clinician Scientists, the DZIF Academy annually awards full-time funding for three years (in exceptional cases as part time with a longer duration) in order to enable MDs the opportunity to obtain an additional doctoral degree (Dr. rer. nat., PhD or equivalent) at one of the DZIF partner sites.

DZIF MD/PhD Program: Who can apply?

• MDs (Physicians (Ärzte) or Dr. med.) who are active in clinical and scientific work
• No older than 35 years of age at the time of application (maternity and parental leave will be taken into account in accordance with DFG guidelines)
   
• Physicians (Ärzte) and advanced medical students without a Dr. med. degree must submit their medical doctoral thesis before starting the MD/PhD program. The application must also include an approximate date for the defense of the Dr. med. degree.
• Previous scientific achievements and/or completed further training will be considered in the evaluation process.

Applicants may choose their host institution, which must be a member of DZIF. The research program shall be coordinated between the applicant and host institution. The full-time funding covers a full MD salary and ensures 100% release from clinical duties for three years. After one year, the candidate must submit an interim report.

Host labs will receive €15,000 per year (€7,500 per year for part-time grants) for consumables.

The next application deadline is September 17, 2025. Please note that the program's earliest start date is April 1, 2026, to allow sufficient time for evaluation and administrative processing.

Applications must include:

• Online application form
• Motivation letter including long-term career goals (max. one page)
• Applicant’s CV (including publications and conference presentations)
• Mentor’s CV & publication record (last 4 years); list of doctoral and/or medical students supervised in the last 5 years incl. publications
• Validation from medical program director foreseeing the completion of medical studies and/or medical doctoral thesis if not yet obtained
• Confirmation from DZIF site coordinator
• Form declaring clinical director´s approval of release: Bestätigung über Freistellung

Please note that candidates must apply to their structured doctoral program of interest independent of the DZIF program application. Integration into a structured doctoral program is a pre-requisite for funding. A maximum of three applicants per partner site will be allowed.  

Applications will be reviewed based on candidate´s qualifications and quality of the scientific project in relation to the DZIF mission. Important: Please send all application materials as a single PDF document to:

E-Mail