International Doctorate Programme Business and Human Rights IDP BHR 2025-2029
- Omran Aburayya
- 1 day ago
- 3 min read
Are you a highly motivated graduate with a passion for justice, sustainability, and global governance? The applications are now open for the International Doctorate Programme (IDP) “Business and Human Rights: Governance Challenges in a Complex World” for 2025–2029. This elite programme offers a unique opportunity for emerging scholars to contribute to groundbreaking research at the intersection of human rights, business, and global governance. Supported by the Elite Network of Bavaria, this fully-funded doctoral programme is hosted by a prestigious trio of German universities and is tailored to shape the next generation of academic and policy leaders.
🎓 Scholarship Summary
Location: Germany (Erlangen, Nürnberg, Bayreuth, or Würzburg)
Host Institutions: Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), University of Bayreuth, University of Würzburg
Study Level: PhD/Doctoral
Target Group: Graduates with a Master’s degree in law, management, or social sciences
Fields of Study: Business & Human Rights, including sustainability, corporate responsibility, law, governance, and socio-political practice
Award Value and Coverage: 66% TV-L E13 position (~€3,000/month pre-tax), 4 years of funding
Duration: 4 years (November 2025 – October 2029)
Application Deadline: 1 June 2025
Start Date: 1 November 2025
Eligible to: Applicants worldwide with strong English proficiency and a relevant academic background
💡 Programme Overview
The IDP BHR Governance programme is a multidisciplinary doctoral initiative focused on the practical and theoretical challenges of business and human rights in a globalized, complex world. Doctoral candidates will engage with topics such as:
Implementation of the Business & Human Rights agenda in legal and corporate settings
Corporate responsibility in authoritarian regimes and fragile democracies
Climate change and environmental obligations in business
Sustainability in global governance
New frontiers, such as human rights in sports or artificial intelligence
The programme fosters collaboration with civil society, businesses, and policymakers, allowing doctoral candidates to ground their academic work in real-world impact.
🧩 Curriculum and Activities
The IDP offers a structured, vibrant academic environment with:
Interdisciplinary coursework and seminars
Research colloquia and international conferences
Research retreats and practical project opportunities
Close supervision by faculty from the three partner universities
International academic exchanges and networking
Candidates will teach one course per semester, enhancing their academic and pedagogical experience.
🎁 Programme Benefits
Monthly Stipend: Approx. €3,000 before tax and social contributions (66% TV-L E13)
Four-year Contract: Employment at one of the three host universities
Research Support: Access to an international, interdisciplinary team and extensive institutional resources
Professional Development: Opportunities to publish, teach, and engage in public discourse
Global Network: Integration into the Elite Network of Bavaria and collaboration with alumni and global stakeholders
Eligibility Criteria
To qualify, applicants must:
Hold a Master’s degree in law, management, or social sciences
Demonstrate very good English proficiency
Show interest and experience in international, intercultural, or practice-oriented work
Submit a research proposal relevant to Business and Human Rights (max. 5,000 words)
Be motivated to contribute actively to the programme curriculum and team
📝 Application Procedure
Applicants must submit the following documents as a single PDF to humanrights-idp@fau.de by 1 June 2025:
Research proposal (in English, max. 5,000 words)
CV
Motivation letter (in English, max. 1,000 words)
Writing sample (e.g., thesis, publication, or seminar paper)
Academic certificates and transcripts
Shortlisted candidates will be invited for online interviews in early July 2025. Successful applicants will be matched with a supervisory team aligned with their research focus.
📂 Resources
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