Berlin Graduate Studies Support Program (BUA)

Excellent training for all doctoral candidates in the Alliance

The goal of the Berlin University Alliance is to improve the conditions for all doctoral candidates of the four partner institutions. One of the key elements of successful early-career support is a rich portfolio of skills and career development training as well as mentoring advisory services.

Since spring 2020, ZEWK has worked together with partners from Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin to offer a comprehensive and varied program.

The Graduate Studies Support Program consists of five core modules as well as a broad selection of other offers reflecting the different phases of a doctorate: kicking off your doctorate, research integrity, academic writing, mental health, and career development. 

The partner institutions also offer numerous workshops which further expand on and explore these topics together with supplemental activities.

Additionally, the member institutions organize further workshops, coaching, and mentoring programs for all early career researchers at the BUA partners. 

Details about the program and other events are available from the member institutions:

Freie Universität Berlin: Dahlem Research School
Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin: Humboldt Graduate School
Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin: Graduate Studies Support

It is a long way from the decision to the moment when the doctoral certificate is handed over. Exchanging ideas and networking with peers is very valuable for starting a doctorate. To ease the transition into doctoral studies, the Graduate Studies Support Program offers a two-day retreat in English and in German for doctoral students in the first six months of their doctoral studies in spring and in fall.

In addition to networking and helpful content-related information on doctoral studies, a selection of important tools will be tested in small exercises and opportunities will be presented to deepen these across institutions in further follow-up workshops.

Kick Off Your Doctorate - In person retreat (english-language round):

13.-15. November 2023
The registration for the English-language round (13.11.-15.11.2023) takes place via FU Berlin from 13.09.2023!

Kick Off Your Doctorate - Präsenz Retreat (german-language round):

15.-17. November 2023
Die Anmeldung für den deutschsprachigen Durchgang (15.11.-17.11.2023) erfolgt über die TU Berlin ab dem 13.09.2023!

Key Offering

A conference on good research and research integrity, presenting the rules and principles of good scientific practice and discussing issues of ethical responsibility and the importance of reproducibility of research results.

Our satellite offerings for the second module can be found here:

Key Offering

A writing week that supports doctoral students in structuring the writing process, counteracts writer's block, and promotes their publication skills.

You can find our satellite offers for the third module here:

Key offering

A blended learning event on mental health/resilience covering strategies to strengthen (mental) endurance and resilience in crisis situations.

Our satellite offerings for the fourth module can be found here:

Key offering

A career day that offers insights into career paths inside and outside universities and encourages reflection on one's own path after the doctorate.

Our satellite offerings for the fifth module can be found here: