BGSH Starter Scholarships

The BGSH Starter Scholarships are one‑year start‑up grants offered by the Graduate School of History (BGSH) at the University of Basel to support doctoral researchers in the initial phase of their PhD project. The scholarship finances the first year of research and aims to enable fellows to prepare multi‑year funding applications to bodies such as the Swiss National Science Foundation. Recipients join the BGSH research network and gain access to the university's seminars, research infrastructure and libraries.

32,000 CHF total for 10 months (≈3,200 CHF/month); participation in BGSH scientific activities and seminars; access to university research infrastructure and libraries.

Applicants must hold a Master's degree or equivalent in history or a related discipline, have formal agreement from a University of Basel PhD supervisor, present an original research project aligned with BGSH themes, and demonstrate academic excellence.

Obtain prior agreement from a Basel PhD supervisor, submit the complete application electronically via the BGSH portal when the call is open; applications are reviewed by the BGSH selection committee and candidates are notified after evaluation.