Internationality

A bi-national Joint Doctorate (or Cotutelle as originally defined under French law) enables doctoral students to obtain a Joint Doctorate from two universities in two different countries for one dissertation based on research at both institutions.

However, this does not mean that two separate doctorates are awarded - the big difference in comparison to a common international doctorate is the joint supervision (co-tutelle originates from co-tutoring).

A Cotutelle further enables the doctoral student to get to know two different research systems establishing significant professional contacts in both countries. The doctoral student is registered at both universities and the time spent on research studies is to be balanced as equally as possible.

Upon completion of the doctoral studies a joint certificate will be awarded or rather each university will issue a doctoral certificate acknowledging the respective partner university.

To learn more, please contact the Doctoral Office for detailed information.

A Cotutelle can be a particularly attractive option for doctoral students who seek to

• gain additional qualification and experience within different both research cultures and scientific communities amplifying career opportunities within and beyond academia (conferral of two correlating doctoral certificates which are honored in both countries)
• acquire intercultural experience – beyond the acquisition of language skills
• pursue their research topic which is of particular interest to both universities (and supervisors)

The German-French Graduate School was established in 2018 to strengthen research links and foster internationalization for doctoral students at Hochschule Geisenheim.

Based on their expertise in the area of “Climate Impact Research on Special Crops and their Processing Products“ Hochschule Geisenheim University and Université de Bordeaux together with their associated partner, the Australian Wine Research Institute, have effectively pooled their competencies and synergies as the virtual BAG alliance paving the way for great education of young scientists in this specific research field.  

Procedure

As a participant of the French-German Graduate School doctoral studies are completed between Bordeaux and Geisenheim spending an equally balanced time as possible at each location. If the research topic permits, the project may also be carried out in Adelaide. After acceptance as a doctoral student at Hochschule Geisenheim, the Cotutelle agreement must be concluded between the universities in question which is followed by registration at the DFH (French-German University). With DFH’s mobility funding program doctoral students can apply for additional financial support.

Among the various initiatives to support early career researchers regular meetings are hosted to build relationships with both peers and experienced scholars to promote collaboration and networking.

Hochschule Geisenheim University and Université de Bordeaux will each issue a doctoral certificate acknowledging the respective partner university.

Funding

The funding of the French-German Graduate School by the French-German University includes

• Mobility assistance for doctoral students during their time abroad
• Funding of guest lectureships at the partner university
• Organization of topic-specific workshops
• Summer Schools

Three of the world’s leading grape and wine research organizations, the Institute of Vine and Wine Sciences (ISVV) (Bordeaux, France), the Australian Wine Research Institute (AWRI) (Adelaide, Australia), and Hochschule Geisenheim University (HGU) (Geisenheim, Germany) joined forces to form a new research alliance for wine.

The alliance (informally referred to as the BAG-Alliance) offers strategic benefits to the wine and wine industry in the three member regions through the exchange and interaction of people, prs and information. The members of the alliance exchange infrastructure and expertise across the entire value chain of grapes and wine.

Erasmus+ - Scholarships
Are you a doctoral student or employee at Hochschule Geisenheim?
Lecturers and employees of all areas of higher education can be funded for professional training at an ERASMUS partner university, in a European company or institution that is active on the job market, or in areas of general and vocational education or youth. 
In addition to the professional development of the participants, the aim is to strengthen the internationalization of Hochschule Geisenheim University through the exchange of experiences amongst European universities and the consolidation of ERASMUS partnerships.

Who is entitled to funding?
Individually organized stays as part of so-called job shadowing (hospitation). This should be carried out in a department at the partner university or in the company that corresponds to one's own area of ​​responsibility. An individual program is established in advance.
The stay for the purpose of continued professional education can last from at least 2 days up to a maximum of 2 months.

What is the funding for employees?
Financial support is based on the flat rates specified by the EU. If possible, stays of 2 – 5 days are funded in such a way that the costs according to Hessian travel expense regularities are covered.
Longer stays are funded depending on the funds available (financial support from Erasmus+ funds from the EU in combination with Zero Grant funding)
The application for staff mobility must be discussed in advance with the respective management/administration.

Are you enrolled as a doctoral student at Hochschule Geisenheim University?
Mobility grants for studies at a partner university can be awarded for a period of at least 3 months (90 days) and a maximum of 12 months (360 days).

What is the funding for doctoral students?
The amount of funding for studying at a partner university is divided into categories according to three country groups and is based on the respective costs of living. The classification of the country groups is specified by the EU. The approved daily rate depends on the budget allocated to us and can therefore differ at other universities. More information is available here.

German-French Graduate School - DFH Scholarships
Are you a member of the German-French Graduate School?
The funding from the DFH includes mobility aids for doctoral students in their phase abroad, guest lecturers at partner universities and financial assistance for topic-specific workshops. Get more information here.