GRADSAplus
GRADSAplus is an ESF Plus-funded project with a central coordination office at Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg (MLU) that is redefining and reimagining the support system for early-career researchers in Saxony-Anhalt. The project is aimed in particular at doctoral candidates, those interested in pursuing a doctorate, postdocs, and their advisors, and seeks to improve their training and development conditions across universities in a needs-based and sustainable manner.
Long-term goals include
- to strengthen collaboration and the international connectivity of universities,
- to increase the number of approved structured doctoral programs,
- to facilitate a standardized offering on Good Scientific Practice for doctoral candidates at all universities,
- to promote faster completion of doctoral degrees and a higher success rate for doctoral candidates,
- to strengthen transfer of technology and knowledge early on during the doctoral program.
This will be achieved through close collaboration with the project partners—the universities in Saxony-Anhalt authorized to grant doctoral degrees. The aim is to raise the visibility of existing support services, bring relevant stakeholders together, and develop new formats where gaps currently exist.
In a nutshell
- Project name: GRADSAplus
- Duration: 01/2025–12/2027
- Funding: ESF+
- Funding amount: €1.631.494,26
- Network: Universities in Saxony-Anhalt
Empowering Saxony-Anhalt’s Early Career Researchers: A central platform to bundle knowledge, network opportunities, and unlock potential together.
GRADSAplus focuses on key aspects of supporting early-career researchers in Saxony-Anhalt:
- Advice on applying for structured doctoral programs
- The development of modern supervision models for doctoral studies
- Support and training opportunities for postdocs
- Promoting Good Scientific Practice through the expansion of structures, networking, and the development of educational content
- Strengthening PhDs with industry and doctoral pathways on the job
GRADSAplus operates around its core themes in a needs-based, networked, and cross-university manner. The goal is to better coordinate services in Saxony-Anhalt, identify needs, and systematically address gaps. To achieve this, the coordination office brings together universities, faculties, graduate schools and other partners. This allows for the pooling of knowledge and experience, the utilization of synergies, and the development of concepts that can be applied at multiple universities.
Depending on the thematic focus, support services are provided at several levels
- Mentoring
- Consulting
- Workshops
- Toolbox and materials
- Website as a central platform
GRADSAplus creates added value by pooling knowledge, facilitating access, and strengthening networking. The project helps to further develop funding structures collaboratively instead of isolatedly.
The added value lies in particular in:
- greater transparency regarding existing offerings,
- better networking between universities and stakeholders,
- the development of needs-based measures,
- concepts and guidelines applicable across universities,
- a stronger commitment to good scientific practice,
- better conditions for various doctoral pathways,
- and more sustainable support for early-career researchers.
In short: GRADSAplus aims to unlock synergies, use expertise, close gaps, and facilitate access to support.
