Academic Doctorate in Engineering

Programme Objectives

The programme aims to foster strong, internationally oriented higher education systems in Latin America with the capacity to contribute to sustainable development. For this purpose, scholarships for development related Master's studies are awarded to individuals who plan to pursue a career in teaching and/or research at a higher education institution in Latin America.

Application Requirements for a PHD Degree

Applicants for a PhD degree

• postgraduates with a first academic degree, who have successfully completed a two year university Master’s degree (or equivalent) with above average results (at least: Second Class/Upper Division or equivalent, if applicable);
• clearly show motivation and strong commitment;
• have thorough knowledge of the language of instruction;
• have completed their last university degree not more than 6 years ago at the time of application;
• must be nationals or permanent residents of a Central American country;
• should be a) staff member of a public university, b) or a candidate considered for teaching or research staff recruitment, c) or from the public sector and/or d) Alumni of the DAFI-programme. Fresh graduates, professionals and other candidates who do not fit in the above- mentioned areas are also invited to apply for the programme.

Female applicants, refugees with recognised refugee status and candidates from other less privileged regions or groups are especially encouraged to participate in the programme.

Scholarships for PhD studies are initially granted for one year and can be extended to a maximum of the regular period of study upon receipt of an application for extension. Scholars must demonstrate satisfactory progress before an extension is granted.

Please note: If you have already received a scholarship for PhD studies from the DAAD, further PhD funding from the DAAD is not possible.

Eligible Fields For a PHD Degree

The In-Region Scholarship Programme supports studies in subject areas with strong relevance to national development.

Scholarships at ITCR-UCR are available for the following programme:

• Academic Doctorate in Engineering

Place of Tenure for a PHD Degree

Instituto Tecnológico de Costa Rica y Universidad de Costa Rica, Cartago, San José, Costa Rica

Duration and Commencement for a PHD Degree

The duration

• of the PhD programme is generally 3 years (36 months) and is usually starting in August 2025.

Please note that the maximum duration of the scholarship consists of the year you apply for, plus the time left to the end of the regular period of studies in that programme. For example, if you apply for a DAAD scholarship starting in your second year of studies of a three-year programme, the maximum duration of the scholarship will be two years. The standard period of study and the start date are based on the Affiliate Agreement between the host university and the DAAD.

Please note: if you arrive later, the duration of your scholarship will be shortened accordingly.

Scholarship Benefits

The scholarship covers:

Application and Selection Procedure For a PHD Degree

All applicants must submit a complete application for the programme via the DAAD Portal. This is a standard uploading area for all programme applications and some documents may not be mandatory for your application. Please refer to your programme call to check which documents are required.

Please be aware of the DAAD’s application deadline as well as ITCR-UCR. deadline.

The application process for DAAD scholarships contains the following steps:

1. Register on the portal: DAAD-ID
2. Log in to the portal
3. Carefully read the instructions on how to apply in the portal
4.  Submit your application via the portal by the deadline 03.03.2025

Remember to check that your application is complete and meets DAAD requirements before submitting! Otherwise, your application cannot be considered.

Application Documents to be Uploaded to the DAAD Portal

Mandatory documents for the DAAD scholarship application to be submitted and uploaded to the DAAD portal (in either English or German) and submitted to [email protected]:

• DAAD online application form (available on the DAAD portal under Application → Fill In Form) duly filled in and submitted according to the outlined deadline. Important information as regards Question 7 in the application form: If you cannot find your university/institution in the drop-down menu, please click on 'other institution', and enter it manually. • A full curriculum vitae in tabular form if not otherwise possible without a signature • A list of publications (if applicable)
• Two recommendation letters signed by university teachers which provide information about your qualifications. One of the recommendation letters for PhD could be issued by an employer. You can generate the recommendation form in the DAAD Portal as a writable PDF under 'Request reference form'. Please send it to your university teacher and ask them to complete the form in full. When you have received it back, please upload it in the portal under 'Letter of Recommendation'. Please note: The form for completion by a university teacher can only be generated during the applicaTion period. This form of a Letter of Recommendation is mandatory and will be the only one which will be accepted by the DAAD.
• Letter of admission for the host university (this can be subsequently submitted before the scholarship begins if it is not available at the time of application) Certified copies of university degree certificates including transcripts (if available, including a grading scale for the final university degree and if available, information on the recognition of the university degree certificates in the host country) to be uploaded under “university degree certificated” in the DAAD portal
• Letter of motivation (1-3 pages with your personal, social motivation as well as your reference to the studies and a PhD project). Please upload the letter of motivation under “study project/motivation” in the DAAD portal
• Copy of the passport or, if not applicable, a copy of National Identification Card (mandatory for an application for a scholarship)
• Detailed and precise PhD proposal (8-10 pages)
• Detailed work and timetable with detailed information outlined with months and dates as well as information on when the last exam will take place (if applicable: mentioning the planned research stay in Germany, see “Additional benefits”)
• Please note that a detailed and comprehensive proposal is necessary for the assessment. Concept notes will not be accepted.
• Abstract of the proposal on one page (please include name and title of the proposal
• Declaration of acceptance, must be provided at the beginning of the scholarship, from the academic supervisor or a commitment letter from the host institution that a supervisor will be assigned
• If applicable, information on the UNHCR registration as refugee

Application Deadline

March 3, 2025 at 11:00 a.m.

Contact

• Interested students may contact o[email protected]
• Phone: 560-3201
• Attention in person at the International Relations Office from Monday to Friday from 8 am to 4 pm.
• Find us on social networks as @dri_utp