LMU Stipends for LERU Doctoral Summer Schools
Since 2010 LMU Munich grants stipends for the annual LERU Doctoral Summer Schools. LERU (League of European Research Universities) is an association of 24 research-intensive universities in Europe.
The next LERU Doctoral Summer School is hosted by KU Leuven, Belgium, from September 6 to 11, 2026.
The theme of the Summer School is "Inter-, Multi- and Transdisciplinary Perspectives on Health".
The LERU network aims to prepare future scientists and societal leaders to tackle global challenges and facilitate interdisciplinary research, innovation, and communication.
The LERU Doctoral Summer School at KU Leuven seeks to foster increased cooperation in research on health across all academic disciplines and in tandem with extra-academic partners. The timing is fortunate, since 2026 also sees the opening of Leuven's new Vesalius Museum of science, healthcare and society. Participants in the Summer School will be invited to join in pre-opening trial runs of the permanent exhibition and share their critical assessments in dedicated sessions of the Summer School program.
The LERU Doctoral Summer School 2026 welcomes participants from all disciplines whose research focusses principally on health broadly conceived or promises to lend itself to extension to health research. Day One features expert surveys on inter-, multi- and transdisciplinary health research and on research-based public engagement initiatives on health, as well as a presentation of the Vesalius Museum, whose permanent exhibition will serve to loosely structure the Summer School program. Days Two, Three and Four feature morning sessions by leading health researchers and afternoon sessions devoted to museum testings and group project work facilitated by local experts. On the final day, groups finalise their presentations and share their projects with university leaders, academics and guests.
The application deadline is January 15, 2026.
| Event | LERU Doctoral Summer School |
| Topic | Inter-, Multi- and Transdisciplinary Perspectives on Health |
| Venue | KU Leuven, Belgium |
| Date | September 6 to 11, 2026 |
| Official language | English |
| Costs | There is a fee of 600 Euro per participant. This covers course materials and university accommodation. The GraduateCenterLMU grants stipends to cover the participation fee and to support travel expenses based on real costs (800 Euro). The GraduateCenterLMU stipend can only be granted if the Summer School is conducted as on-site event. |
| Target group | Advanced doctoral candidates of LMU Munich from all disciplines as described above. Candidates must be available for the entire duration of the Summer School and must be prepared to participate in all activities. Fluency in both spoken and written English is essential. |
| Application | The application must be submitted via the GraduateCenterLMU Portal. Please prepare the following documents (as PDFs):
Please ask your official supervisor to send a letter of reference by email directly to the GraduateCenterLMU (graduatecenter@lmu.de). The letter can be written either in German or in English. |
| Application deadline | January 15, 2026 |
| Selection procedure | Candidates of LMU Munich will be selected on merit and other criteria to participate in the Summer School. |
| Additional information | LERU Doctoral Summer School - Draft Program (PDF) |
| Contact | For inquiries concerning the LMU stipends, please write an email to graduatecenter@lmu.de. |
Important notes:
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