Qualification Concept

The GRACE-training concept is based on three pillars internationality, assistance and qualification. GRACE PhD students are supported in their plans to establish international contacts and to gain experience abroad through various funding opportunities such as scholarships and grants abroad. Through the personal steering group within GRACE, all PhD students are supported in their scientific career and matters. Within the framework of the GRACE certificate, an individually tailored curriculum is designed for the GRACE PhD student to develop a broad range of scientific and personal skills.

Internationality

Internationalism is one of the fundamental concepts of the Graduate School GRACE, which is also explicitly promoted. For example, a longer stay abroad is mandatory for each GRACE PhD student. Furthermore, the international orientation will be shown by:

  • funding of a research stay abroad of up to three months
  • funding of an guest scientist program
  • funding of international summer schools

Curriculum structure

As part of the GRACE curriculum, PhD students acquire new scientific and personal skills through participation in events and workshops of the GRACE Science School.
In total, 12 ECTS are acquired in the GRACE curriculum, which are to be chosen from the three module categories: topic-related, cross-cutting and competence skills.

The topic-related module supports students in the acquisition of theoretical and methodological fundamentals and advanced courses in cutting edge approaches and methods for environmental sciences. A high relevance for environmental sciences has the development of skills concerning system analysis and interpretation which is promoted by the courses within the cross-cutting module. In addition to scientific skills, personal, social and methodological competences play an essential role for a successful doctorate and are strengthened by the courses of the competence skills module.

Personal steering group

Special emphasis is placed on supporting PhD students with regard to their doctoral development and all administrative matters. Each PhD student is supported by a personal steering group (PSG) consisting of three representatives: the supervisor in charge, a personal advisor (usually a senior scientist from the KIT) and a member from another institute or another research institution. The PSG provides guidance on scientific matters.

After defining of the research aims at the start, the first meeting should take place within six months, followed by biannual meetings. The main objectives of the PSG meetings are to monitor progress, adjust PhD objectives, and develop a detailed work plan. Regular monthly informal group meetings and annual progress reports, submitted to the PSG, help to monitor work progress.

PhD students are strongly encouraged to present their own work to the scientific community, for example at conferences, and to submit at least one part of their research to a scientific journal within the three-year PhD period.