A good supervisory relationship is central to the success of the doctorate. In structured programs, supervisory teams are made up of at least two supervisors who may come from different disciplines and institutions. The topic and duration of the dissertation, the members of the supervisory team and the rights and obligations of both parties are defined in a supervisory agreement.

Dahlem Research School also expressly encourages doctoral researchers and supervisors to conclude such a supervision agreement in the context of an individual doctorate. The more recent doctoral regulations of the departments (since mid-2016) generally require the conclusion of a superviory agreement.