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SICSS
SCHOOL OF INTEGRATED
CLIMATE AND EARTH
SYSTEM SCIENCES

Photo: UHH/SICSS

Become a member

The SICSS welcomes applications from doctoral candidates whose research aligns closely with the scientific focus of CLICCS II.

Who Can Become a SICSS Member

  • All doctoral candidates funded directly through CLICCS II are automatically expected to become SICSS members, except those enrolled in the IMPRS-ESM program (MPI-M). Although no formal application is required, CLICCS II doctoral candidates must still submit basic documentation (e.g., admission letter, supervision agreement, CV) to complete their membership. Detailed instructions and required documents are provided in the SICSS Membership Applications.
  • Doctoral candidates who are not part of CLICCS II may apply for SICSS membership. Please read the SICSS Membership Application (PDF) for detailed instructions on required documents and the application process.
    In the following, you will find an overview of the most important information on eligibility, deadlines, and what to include in your application:

Eligibility
You can apply for SICSS membership if your doctoral project:

  • Addresses the overarching CLICCS II guiding question: “Which climate futures are plausible, and how can desired climate futures be achieved?”
  • Shows a clear thematic connection to the goals and research priorities of CLICCS II, and ideally aligns with one or more specific research objectives within the Research Themes. To learn more about the research priorities and current projects of CLICCS II, please visit the CLICCS II website.
  • Is fully funded for the entire duration of the doctorate.
  • Application Timing: The application for SICSS membership must be submitted no later than six months after the start of the doctoral project. The start date is considered to be the date on your admission letter at your institution/faculty. Submission Deadlines:
    • 26 January 2026
    • 6 April 2026
    • 8 June 2026
    • 21 September 2026

      All required documents must be submitted by these dates at the latest

Optional Association with CLICCS II
Doctoral candidates whose projects fit thematically may additionally express interest in being associated with CLICCS II. This is entirely optional and does not affect eligibility for SICSS membership.

If you apply for admission to doctoral procedure at MIN faculty before your application at SICSS, please be sure to complete the "Confirmation of membership in a structured doctoral program" field on the appropriate form (page 9), and let SICSS (Alexandra Franzke) sign before handover to your faculty. Please contact the SICSS Office Team for all necessary information regarding the procedure of admission.

Interested individuals who do not yet have a supervisor and funding cannot apply with us.

Enrollment at University of Hamburg

Doctoral candidates at University of Hamburg must enroll as members of University of Hamburg. The enrollment is proceeded by the academic office in the campus center. The enrollment procedure can be found here.

Registration as doctoral candidate

Next to the enrollment, you have to register as doctoral candidate with the academic office of your respective institution/faculty that will host your doctorate.

The admission process for the MIN Faculty you find here.

For admission to the Faculty of Business, Economics and Social Sciences please register here.

SICSS doctoral candidates also need a free account at Geventis. It is a central information platform of the MINGZ Graduate Centre, the umbrella graduate school of the SICSS. The entire range of courses for doctoral students at the MIN faculty is published there. Registration is then centralised via the platform. It can also be used to book events organised by the University of Hamburg's Human Resources Development and Language Centre - applications for scholarships and grants from the MIN Graduate Centre can also be made there. Geventis is also used to record the doctoral candidates' performance, also important documents such as certificates will be available there.

Click here for instructions.
Click here to go to Geventis.

Application for a SICSS membership

For external doctoral candidates
All doctoral candidates whose projects are not funded through CLICCS II may apply for SICSS membership at any time. The SICSS Board decides on membership based on the submitted documents. For details, please see the SICSS Membership Guidelines (PDF), which can be found in the box at the bottom right of this webpage.

For CLICCS II doctoral candidates
Doctoral candidates funded through CLICCS II are automatically SICSS members, except those enrolled in the IMPRS-ESM program. Even though no formal application is required, basic documentation (e.g., proof of enrollment, supervision agreement, CV) must still be submitted.

Being a SICSS member

The SICSS Office will inform you by email on your acceptance as SICSS member. You will also receive an official letter of acceptance by the SICSS Office, stating start and end of your membership.

A membership is granted for four years, starting from the date on your official admission letter to the doctoral program at your institution/faculty at the University of Hamburg.

Help and assistance

The SICSS Office staff is always ready to help you with any kind of question or query. Please contact our team.

If there is ever a conflict arising, please be sure to get in touch early with us. We will be happy to advise and support you in a trusting setting.