Master fellowship programme

Do you hold a BSc degree in life sciences and are eager to explore the field of ageing research in a cutting-edge and interdisciplinary environment of the Cologne ageing cluster? 

The Cologne Graduate School of Ageing Research offers a new Master Fellowship Programme for excellent and motivated students who wish to learn more about ageing research, while pursuing their Master studies in the Biological Sciences Master programmes Computational Biology, Genetics and Biology of Aging and Regeneration or Neuroscience or the Master programme of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine at the University of Cologne. 

Your benefits

Master Fellowship holders will be supported with a monthly stipend of €934 for the duration of their studies (maximum 1.5 years). They will be provided with an employment contract for the duration of their Master thesis project. All admitted students will choose a Principal Investigator from our internationally renowned faculty as a student mentor. As part of the mentor’s group, Master Fellows actively engage in the scientific and social activities of the chosen group and have regular advisory meetings with their mentor. This gives our students a unique opportunity to identify the research area they are most passionate about for their future PhD studies at an early stage in their scientific career,

Requirements

We encourage highly motivated, outstanding candidates with a Bachelor degree in Biological Sciences, Biochemistry or a related subject to apply for the CGA Master Fellowship Programme. Admission to one of the MSc programmes in Biological Sciences (Computational Biology, Genetics and Biology of Aging and Regeneration or Neuroscience) or to the MSc programme in Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine at the University of Cologne is a prerequisite for the award of a Master Fellowship. In addation, all candidates require a very good command of written and spoken English.

Please note that applying to one of the University's MSc programmes is a separate and independent step.

For the relevant MSc programmes in Biological Sciences (Computational Biology, Genetics and Biology of Aging and Regeneration or Neuroscience), please apply here: https://biologie.uni-koeln.de/studium-lehre/master-of-science/how-to-apply
For the MSc programme in Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, please apply here: https://bc.uni-koeln.de/master-of-science/application

Master students who have started their MSc studies in Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine at the University of Cologne in the summer term 2024 and have achieved excellent grades in the first subject modules are also welcome to apply!

Application and Admission

Applications for the CGA Master Fellowship Programme will be accepted from April 05, 2024 on for Master studies starting in the winter term 2024/2025. The deadline for applications is July 15, 2024.

Please note that the application deadline for the relevant MSc programmes in Biological Sciences (Computational Biology, Genetics and Biology of Aging and Regeneration or Neuroscience) and Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine at the University of Cologne is also July 15, 2024! Please be advised that different deadlines may apply for international applicants via uni-assist and are indicated on the websites of the respective MSc programmes.

Applications for our Master Fellowship Programme are made through our online application portal.

For the online application you will be asked to provide the following information:

  • Statement on past and current research interests (250 words)
  • Statement on the motivation to join the Master Fellowship Programme (250 words)
  • Specification of one desired mentor (see list of possible mentors in the application portal)
  • Contact details of two academic advisors as referees
  • CV, certificates, transcripts and other supporting documents as separate pdf files
  • Confirmation of application to one of the above-mentioned Master programmes at the University of Cologne

All candidates will be recruited in August 2024 on the basis of their online profiles and submitted documents. Admitted students will be able to start their Master studies as fellowship holders in October 2024.

Please check our FAQs if you have any further questions.

Applications for the CGA Master Fellowship Programme for Master studies starting in the winter term 2024/2025 will be possible here from April 05, 2024 on.The deadline for applications is July 15, 2024.

Application and admission to one of the Biological Sciences MSc programmes (Computational Biology, Genetics and Biology of Aging and Regeneration or Neuroscience) or to the MSc programme in Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine at the University of Cologne is a prerequisite for the award of a Master Fellowship and an independent step. All application requirements for these MSc programmes as well as the formal steps and deadlines can be found at www.biologie.uni-koeln.de/application.html or https://bc.uni-koeln.de/master-of-science/application. Please note that different deadlines may apply for international applicants via uni-assist and are indicated on the respective websites.