DAAD Doctoral Fellowship Scholar Tuyu Zheng from China Shares Their Journey of Securing a Fully Funded PhD at the Heidelberg University, Germany

My name is Tuyu Zheng and I am originally from China. I completed my PhD (summa cum laude) in Cancer Biology at Heidelberg University in 2023, where I worked at the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) in the Department of Pediatric Neuro-Oncology. I am now a Postdoctoral Research Associate at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee, in the Department of Developmental Neurobiology, supported by the Damon Runyon–St. Jude Pediatric Cancer Research Fellowship Award. My research focuses on understanding the molecular and biological drivers of pediatric brain tumors, in particular supratentorial ependymoma and other rare brain tumors in children. The decision to pursue this field was driven by the urgency of the problem: brain tumors are among the leading causes of cancer-related death in children, and current treatment options remain very limited. With a background in bioengineering, I wanted to combine engineering rigor with biological discovery to contribute to better diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for young patients.

DAAD Doctoral Fellowship Details

I was awarded the 4-year Doctoral Fellowship from the DAAD (Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst) to support my doctoral studies in Germany from 2018 to 2022. My host institution was the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), affiliated with Heidelberg University. The DAAD provided €1,200 per month, with DKFZ topping that up to €1,600 per month in total. This funding covered my living expenses and allowed me to focus fully on my research throughout the PhD.

Were You Offered Any Other Scholarships?

N/A. The DAAD scholarship was the only scholarship I applied for and received.

Educational Background

I completed both my Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Bioengineering at Shanghai University, China, and the University of Technology of Compiègne, France, respectively. My bachelor’s GPA was 3.7/4.0, and my master’s GPA was 4.7/5.0. I then completed a PhD in Cancer Biology (summa cum laude) at Heidelberg University in 2023.

Bioengineering was an excellent foundation for transitioning into cancer biology research. The curriculum gave me rigorous training in molecular and cell biology alongside quantitative and engineering skills. During my master’s studies I had the opportunity to undertake two research internships that directly shaped my scientific trajectory: a 6-month placement at the Max-Delbrück-Center for Molecular Medicine in Berlin, where I studied the role of primary cilia in vascular biology, and a 6-month master’s thesis project at the Institut Pasteur de Lille, where I developed a cellular assay for viral protease inhibitor research. These experiences taught me how to design and execute rigorous biological experiments, and gave me the confidence to take on independent research questions during my PhD.

How Did You Prepare to Apply to Heidelberg University?

Identifying the right research environment was my first priority. I thoroughly searched the literature to find groups working at the forefront of pediatric brain tumor research, which led me to the DKFZ. I then studied the specific labs and PIs there whose work aligned most closely with my research interests. I reached out to potential supervisors with a concise but detailed message explaining my background and research interests, and I made sure to tailor each message to the specific work of that group. Once I secured a host supervisor at DKFZ, I applied to the DKFZ International PhD Program, which is a highly competitive and structured selection process that involves an international application round, written evaluation, and an in-person interview week at the DKFZ campus. Going through that program also meant that my application materials (CV, motivation letter and recommendation letters) were already polished to a high standard, which was very useful for the subsequent DAAD application.

How Did You Find Information About DAAD Doctoral Fellowship and Heidelberg University?

I used several complementary sources. For research institutions, I would look up papers on topics I was interested in and trace the leading groups back to their institutions and countries. This naturally pointed me toward Germany and DKFZ, which publishes consistently influential work in cancer biology. For scholarships, I did not research them in great detail , because if accepted by the program, they would offer funding directly. It was in fact the International PhD Program that referred me to the DAAD scholarship.

Did You Take Any Standardized Tests? If So, How Did You Prepare for Them?

No formal standardized tests were required for my application. The DKFZ International PhD Program accepted prior university education conducted in English as sufficient evidence of language proficiency. Since my education was in Chinese and French, they scheduled an additional short online interview to assess my English communication skills.

How Did You Prepare to Apply for the DAAD Doctoral Fellowship?

The key to my DAAD application was going through the DKFZ International Graduate School’s PhD selection process first. Once I had been selected by DKFZ as a doctoral candidate, the graduate school provided an official institutional recommendation letter in support of my DAAD application. This endorsement from a world-renowned institution carried enormous weight and, as I later understood, essentially near-guaranteed the reception of the scholarship.

How is Your Experience at Heidelberg University?

My experience at DKFZ has been outstanding. The research environment is world-class: access to state-of-the-art equipment, a large and diverse scientific community, and a genuine culture of collaborative science. The PhD program structures the process well: there are thesis advisory committees, career development seminars, and retreats that ensure PhD students receive both scientific and professional guidance. Living in Heidelberg is also a privilege. It is a vibrant, international university city with a high quality of life, excellent public transport, and a large student and researcher community that makes it easy to build a social network. I miss Heidelberg.

How Do You Rate Heidelberg University Academically?

I would rate DKFZ very highly if you want to carry out cancer research. But at the end of the day, the whole experience is largely influenced by your PI and your colleagues.

How Does Heidelberg University Support International Students?

DKFZ provides strong support for international PhD students. The international office offers help with visa and residence permit applications, which can be complicated to navigate especially if you don’t speak German. The PhD program itself is entirely in English and is designed with international students in mind. There are welcome events and orientation sessions at the beginning and German language courses offered at a subsidized rate. The international community at DKFZ is large: the majority of PhD students come from outside Germany. So it is easy to find people who have gone through the same experience and can offer practical advice.

Is the Institution Free for Cancer Biology? If You Had to Pay Semester Fees, How Much Was It?

There is no tuition fee to study at Heidelberg University or for the DKFZ PhD program. Like most public universities in Germany, higher education is largely free. There is, however, a mandatory registration fee of approximately €150–200 per semester. This fee covers administrative costs and the DAAD scholarship will waive part of it as well.

Are Your Classes Conducted in English or German?

My PhD program is conducted almost entirely in English. Seminars, group meetings, conferences, and written communications within the research environment are all in English. This is standard at DKFZ and at most research-oriented graduate programs in Germany in the natural sciences. However, most administrative communications for daily life are in German, but German colleagues are very kind and usually offer help.

What Did You Pursue After the DAAD Doctoral Fellowship?

After completing my PhD in 2023, I moved to the United States to pursue a postdoctoral fellowship at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee , one of the world’s leading institutions dedicated to pediatric cancer research. I am based in the Department of Developmental Neurobiology, working in the laboratory of Dr. Stephen Mack, where my projects focus on functional characterization of tumor neuronal networks in ependymoma. I was awarded the Damon Runyon–St. Jude Pediatric Cancer Research Fellowship Award (2025–2028), a highly competitive national fellowship that supports the most promising early-career researchers in pediatric oncology.

Would Potential Students Have Any Problems Not Knowing German?

For research-oriented PhD programs at institutions like DKFZ, not knowing German is not a significant academic barrier. The scientific community in Germany operates largely in English, and you will be able to conduct your research, attend courses, read literature, and communicate with colleagues entirely in English. That said, daily life outside the lab , dealing with bureaucracy, housing contracts, doctor’s visits, and grocery shopping , will be noticeably easier with at least basic German. I strongly recommend taking German language classes before or shortly after arrival. Even a beginner level (A1/A2) makes a meaningful difference in everyday comfort and integration into local culture.

What Do You Think Made Your Application Stand Out?

I believe the single most important factor was being selected through DKFZ’s own rigorous international PhD selection process before applying to DAAD. By the time I submitted my DAAD application, I had already been vetted by one of the world’s leading cancer research institutions, and their institutional recommendation letter carried enormous weight.

Looking Back, Would You Have Done Anything Differently During Your Time in the Program?

Nothing differently. You always find a way to figure things out. J Don’t be too stressed.

What Advice Would You Give Those Looking to Apply for a Similar Scholarship?

First, do your research thoroughly and identify a host supervisor or institution before applying. DAAD scholarships for PhD study typically require an affiliation with a German institution, and having a strong institutional supporter is transformative for your application. Second, use the DAAD website (daad.de) as your primary resource , it is comprehensive, well-organized, and covers deadlines, eligibility, and required documents in detail. Third and most importantly, apply through structured PhD programs at prestigious institutions (like the DKFZ International PhD Program, or equivalent programs at Max Planck, Helmholtz centers, or top German universities) if possible. These programs often have established relationships with DAAD and provide institutional backing. Finally, be patient and persistent. The process takes time, and setbacks along the way are normal. The scholarship is competitive, but if the research fit is strong and your application is well-prepared, the effort is absolutely worth it. Please feel free to reach out if you have further questions. Good luck!