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 unique Master Fellowship Programme for excellent and motivated students who wish to learn more about ageing research, while pursuing their Master studies at the University of Cologne in Computational Biology, Genetics and Biology of Aging and Regeneration, Neuroscience or Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine. 

Your benefits

Master Fellowship holders will be supported with a monthly stipend of €992 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 their chosen group and have regular advisory meetings with their mentor. This gives our students a unique opportunity to identify, at an early stage in their scientific careers, the research area they are most passionate about for their future PhD studies.

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. Application to the MSc programmes Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Computational Biology, Genetics and Biology of Aging and Regeneration or Neuroscience is a prerequisite and an independent step that can be followed via the programme websites. Please note that their application deadlines and requirements may be different! In addation, all candidates require a very good command of written and spoken English.

For the relevant MSc programmes in 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 2025 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 are accepted from April 1 to July 15, 2025 for Master studies starting in the winter term 2025/2026. The deadline for applications is July 15, 2025 at 11:59 pm CEST (Central European Summer Time).

Please note that the application deadline for the relevant MSc programmes in Computational Biology, Genetics and Biology of Aging and Regeneration or Neuroscience and in Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine at the University of Cologne is also July 15, 2025! Please be advised that different deadlines may apply for international applicants registering 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 of past and current research interests
• Statement of motivation for participation in the Master Fellowship Programme and for pursuing a Master degree
• Specification of a preferred and an alternative student mentor (see list of possible mentors in the application portal)
• Contact details of two academic advisors as referees (one should be your most recent supervisor, e.g. your BSc thesis supervisor)
• CV, certificates, transcripts and other supporting documents as separate pdf files
• Confirmation of application to one of the above Master programmes at the University of Cologne

Only applicants admitted to any of the above MSc programmes will be considered for the Master Fellowship Programme and their online profile and submitted documents will be assessed by our faculty. Successful candidates will be admitted to the Master Fellowship Programme in mid-August 2025. Admitted students will be able to start their Master studies as scholars in October 2025.