Every project has to be planned from the very beginning in order to be completed successfully – especially in scientific work. The length of the entry phase depends on the stage of development of the dissertation project. Ideally, doctoral students have already established a concrete idea at the admission stage regarding what kind of research they wish to do in the next years and have already contacted a potential supervisor (or even have an acceptance from a supervisor).

The research proposal is a thematically and methodologically concise description of the doctoral thesis project. Moreover, it is an important planning instrument that helps you structure and realize your doctoral thesis step-by-step. The clearer you define your research questions, approach, and goals, the easier you will manage the realization.