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Entry Requirements

Join the team!

Doctoral students receive a scholarship (see here for the terms), funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG). Our aim is to train students who publish at the frontier in macroeconomics, economic history, or financial stability. We seek to attract students from an international pool of applicants. The working language is English.

More details on the application process follow below. If in doubt, apply. Or get in touch with us [RTG2281_inquiries@uni-bonn.de]. There are two ways to enter the RTG: directly with a Master’s degree in Economic Research or equivalent qualifications, or through prior training (1.5 years of coursework) at the Bonn Graduate School of Economics (BGSE).

Route 1: Direct entry

The RTG offers German Research Foundation-funded scholarships for a 3-year dissertation stage. In order to be able to take full advantage of the RTG’s training during that stage, prior to entering the RTG, students are expected to have obtained education commensurate with a Master’s degree in economics with a specialization in economic research. Such degree programs are offered by several universities (to name but a few, Mannheim, Toulouse, Pompeu Fabra, or the Bonn Graduate School of Economics).

This level of education amounts to roughly the first one-and-a-half years of coursework (including qualifying exams) in a US-style PhD program. Minor exemptions can be granted subject to the student working toward completing the missing coursework.

Route 2: Prior training at the Bonn Graduate School of Economics

The BGSE provides doctoral education in economics. It admits students with a  Bachelor’s or Master’s degree. Each year, the BGSE provides 20 doctoral scholarships that cover the entire doctoral education phase (coursework and dissertation). Entry is competitive across fields. After passing the BGSE’s 1.5 year-long coursework stage, students are encouraged to apply for entry into the RTG. Admission will be based on merit. Once admitted to the RTG, students will receive the same German Research Foundation-sponsored scholarships as the direct entrants.

The application deadline for the RTG is BEFORE the BGSE’s. If you apply to the RTG, please flag on your application if you wish your application to be forwarded for consideration at the BGSE as well. This could be a valuable option if your prior training does not allow direct entry into the RTG.

We look forward to your application!

Training

The group organizes a weekly seminar, a workshop, and a reading group. These events help define the RTG’s identity. All members of the RTG participate regularly (students and faculty alike).

In the reading group, students and faculty present current developments in the literature and discuss new ideas for research.

In the workshop, students and faculty present their ongoing research projects. We expect every member of the RTG to present at least once a year.

The seminar provides the opportunity to learn from and interact with academic guests from leading institutions in Europe and overseas.

The RTG’s students need to take two mandatory courses with a methodological focus: a course on “Advanced numerical tools for macroeconomists” and a course on “Good scientific practice in computational economics.” Given the applied focus of these classes, students are required to hand in solutions to exercises on a regular basis. Further elective courses are offered to cater to the student’s desired focus within the RTG.

What to submit with your application

With your application, please, send:

  1. Letter of motivation
  2. A curriculum vitae
  3. Two academic reference letters (sent to us under separate cover, directly by your professors)
  4. Academic transcripts (complete set of transcripts: where applicable, Bachelor, Master, doctoral studies)
  5. GRE and TOEFL (not older than 3 years), and any other documents that support your application.

How to submit your application

Please submit your materials bundled as one PDF document to RTG2281_application@uni-bonn.de.

Deadline: January 31st, 2022

Funding starts: April 1st, 2022