Welcome to the Bonn International Graduate School of Neuroscience!
In addition to individual doctoral supervision, the University of Bonn offers PhDs through structured programmes, including our renowned Bonn International Graduate School of Neuroscience (BIGS Neuroscience). Our distinguished 3-year programme is known for its international competitiveness and interdisciplinary approach.
At BIGS Neuroscience, you will be immersed in cutting-edge research into the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying brain function, the circuits regulating complex behaviours and brain states, and disorders of the central nervous system (CNS). Join a vibrant research community in Bonn, where you can explore CNS function using molecular neurobiology, electrophysiology, in vivo imaging and modulation, behavioural studies, computational neuroscience and psychology. Our students benefit from state-of-the-art technology, core facilities, and the expertise of leading scientists from the University of Bonn, the German Center of Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), and the Max Planck Institute for Neurobiology of Behavior – caesar.
Our mission
At BIGS Neuroscience, we are committed to attracting exceptional doctoral students from around the world and providing them with the training and mentoring necessary to become leading neuroscientists.
We pride ourselves on offering students unparalleled research facilities in a prestigious academic environment and collaborations with international research partners. Graduate students gain a broad understanding of neuroscience and are exposed to the latest advances in research methodology through the extensive and diverse expertise of our faculty.
We are committed to diversity and inclusion in academia. Notably, we are proud to report that over 50% of our PhD students have an international background, both European and non-European. Well over 50% of our graduate students are women.
Structured curriculum: With soft skill and method courses
Summer school: For onboarding of first year students
Yearly student retreat: Offering scientific exchange and social activities
Social activities: Museum visits, summer barbecue, and other activities to bring our students together
Travel grants: BIGS Neuroscience awards travel grants three times annually. Detailed information about the rules and guidelines for the submission of entries can be found in the downloads section of the internal system. Please log in to access this information.
BIGS Neuroscience thesis award: This annual award honors the most outstanding doctoral thesis successfully defended by a BIGS Neuroscience student in a given year. The winner will receive a prize of 500 EUR and a certificate.
BIGS Neuroscience is part of the University of Bonn and provides PhD students with the opportunity to conduct their doctoral research within one of the following three faculties: Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, and Faculty of Arts. Information about the relevant faculties and the registration process with the respective Graduate Studies Offices (Promotionsbüros) can be found in the admissions area.
Our Non-University Partner Institutions
BIGS Neuroscience collaborates with leading institutions such as the German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE) within the Helmholtz Association and the Max Planck Institute for Neurobiology of Behavior– caesar. This collaboration offers doctoral students in Bonn the opportunity to conduct doctoral research in non-university neuroscience research centers.
BIGS Neuroscience is an integral part of the Bonn Center of Neuroscience (BCN) the central network for neuroscience at the University of Bonn.
We support the Bonn Brain Conference, a biennial international neuroscience conference in Bonn, with organisation, coordination, and funding. We also collaborate with the European University of Brain and Technology – NeurotechEU, where we engage both on a central and local level to foster impactful partnerships and initiatives. We are deeply committed to advancing the Deutsche Neurowissenschaften-Olympiade (DNO e.V.), the official German branch of the International Brain Bee. This engagement provides our graduate students with the opportunity to showcase their research to the international scientific community and provides them with additional training opportunities.
For curricular activities we cooperate with the Master´s Program Neurosciences and other BIGS programmes at the Medical Faculty namely BIGS Clinical and Population Science, BIGS Drugs, and BIGS Immunosciences and Infection.