KICK OFF YOUR DOCTORATE (organized by FU Berlin) / 25-12-KO-1

The Berlin University Alliance is an alliance of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Technische Universität Berlin and Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin. Together, they are pursuing the goal of creating and shaping an integrated research space in Berlin. This alliance aims to establish Berlin as a leading international science location.  In addition to other key aspects, the Graduate Study Support team offers a comprehensive interdisciplinary qualification program that addresses the following topics in five core modules: "Kick off your doctorate" retreats, an "(In)Credible Research" conference, online and in person "Writing Week", "Mental Health Days" and a "Career Day".

+++++++++  Registrierung für den Deutschen Kick Off Your Doctorate - Retreat in Präsenz: November 19-21, 2025 (DE) erfolgt über die Webseite der TU.

+++++++++  Registration for the English Kick Off Your Doctorate - in person retreat: December 1-3, 2025 (EN) is on this FU booking plattform.
Please note: If you are new to the booking platform, it will take a moment before you can register for offers. You will be informed by email.          

Participation

Doctoral researchers of all disciplines of the Berlin University Alliance in the first six months of their doctorate. If you have already been doing your doctorate for longer than 1 year, this kick-off event is not suitable for you. Participation is only permitted once.

Objectives

Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Technische Universität and Charité - Universitätsmedizin are pursuing the goal of improving the conditions of young researchers in the doctoral phase within the framework of the Berlin University Alliance.

It is a long way from the decision to do a doctorate to the moment when the doctoral certificate is handed over. Exchanging ideas and networking with peers is very valuable for starting a doctorate. The focus of this kick-off event is to help early career researchers get started and to introduce them to contact persons at the four institutions in addition to helpful information on the content. Accompanied by trainers, a selection of important tools will be tested in small exercises and opportunities will be shown to deepen these across institutions in further follow-up workshops. Short presentations, (group) coaching sessions, joint active breaks and a networking evening will round off the event.

Highlights from the program:

Kick-off your doctoral project: What typically awaits me during my doctorate? How can I plan well and get organized? What are the top tips for getting started? This workshop will give you an initial overview and provide you with concrete skills and methods to help you get started on your doctoral project.

Motivation and goal clarification: A doctorate requires stamina. It can help if you consider your own goals and motivation at the beginning. This is exactly what this workshop is designed to support you with. At the same time, you will learn what you can do when motivation wanes in difficult phases. 

Networking and exchange: In science, especially during your doctorate, reliable networks are essential. During the retreat you will learn concrete methods for networking and at the same time get the opportunity to actually network and exchange with other doctoral researchers.

The Kick Off takes place in person. In order to create a setting in which participants can focus on their (upcoming) doctoral project and exchange ideas with peers.
Participation includes two nights in the hotel. Accommodation will be in single rooms and all costs are covered. You will however have to pay for the transport.
We reserve the right to charge you for any costs incurred in the event of cancellation at short notice or non-attendance without a medical certificate. 

For questions please check the FAQs below.

Please Note

Are you a doctoral researcher at a member institution of the Berlin University Alliance but not yet registered? Then go to https://www.drs.fu-berlin.de/user/register. Please keep in mind to use an institutional email address of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Technische Universität Berlin or Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin. And please do so as soon as possible to be ready for booking. If you do not already have an institutional email address, please send us proof that you are pursuing your doctorate at one of these institutions. Contact us at skills@drs.fu-berlin.de if you have any further questions.

We recommend

Submit the "Form to notify about absence from work" that you can find under resources after your registration to your institution in a timely manner. This way, your supervisor knows that you will not be working on those days and you will NOT be able to participate in (online) meetings during the event.

Code of conduct

We are against discrimination on the grounds of racism, ethnic origin, gender, religion or world view, disability, sexual identity or age. We are committed to treating everyone with respect! We do not tolerate harassment in any form. Those who violate these rules may be excluded from our offers at the discretion of the team.

Further information

Doctoral programs calculate credits based on the number of work units earned through workshop participation. Each work unit represents 45 minutes of workshop time, and 8 work units equal 0.5 credit points. For mini workshops (less than 8 work units), credits are calculated proportionally based on the work units. Please note: To be eligible for credit transfer, you must accumulate enough work units from short workshops. For example, attending two 3-hour workshops results in 8 work units (2 workshops x 4 work units each), which equals 0.5 credits.