DAAD Scholarships for Germans
The programmes listed below are not limited to German professors or students; they also support the internationalization goals of foreign universities and foster cooperation with German partners.
By promoting these programmes internally, your university could build partnerships to invite German professors for teaching and research or offer internships to German students.
Objective
The program supports short-term teaching by German academics at foreign universities, aiming to strengthen international cooperation, enhance graduate training, and raise the global profile of German research and higher education.
Duration of Funding
Funding is provided for teaching stays from a minimum of 4 weeks up to a maximum of 6 months within one year.
Target Group
Eligible applicants are university lecturers and researchers employed at German universities, who are usually EU citizens or permanent residents of Germany.
Scope of Funding
The scholarship includes:
- Travel allowance
- Reimbursement for excess baggage or transport of scientific equipment (under specific conditions)
- Daily allowances for accommodation and meals depending on the host country
- Possible advance payment before departure
Contributions from the host university (e.g., honorarium, accommodation, meals, or travel support) may reduce the DAAD funding amount.
Eligibility and Application Requirements
Applications must be submitted by German university lecturers or researchers invited by a foreign host university. Applicants are usually academics employed at German universities who are granted leave while continuing to receive their salary.
Applicants must either:
- hold citizenship of an EU member state, or
- possess a permanent German residence permit if they are non-EU citizens.
Funding for teaching activities in the applicant’s former home country is generally excluded.
The application requires:
- an official invitation from the host university,
- a description of the teaching position and teaching programme,
- written confirmation that the host university contributes appropriately to the costs (e.g., honorarium, accommodation, or meals).
Further information about the programme (only in German)
What is funded?
The programme funds the active participation in international scientific conferences abroad (or online). This includes presenting a paper, poster, or organizing a panel. Funding covers travel costs, accommodation (daily allowance), and a lump sum for expenses, or for online participation, conference fees and related costs.
While the programme does not fund foreign universities directly, they benefit through:
- Greater international visibility
- Stronger academic partnerships
- Increased and higher-quality participation
- Knowledge exchange and innovation
- Support for internationalisation
- More stable conference participation
Who can apply?
Eligible applicants are Master’s and Diploma students (from 4th year), doctoral candidates, and academic staff from German Universities of Applied Sciences (HAW/FH). Applicants are usually expected to have their main residence in Germany.
Application Requirements
Applicants must submit:
- DAAD application form
- Questionnaire (conference participation details)
- CV
- Abstract of the contribution
- Academic certificates (if applicable)
- Proof of the conference (screenshots/info)
- Acceptance letter of the contribution (can be submitted later)
- Additional supporting documents if relevant
Application Deadline
Applications are possible year-round, but strict deadlines apply:
- Most documents must be submitted at least 4 months (120 days) before the conference
- The acceptance letter can be submitted up to 1 month (30 days) before the event
Selection Procedure
Applications are evaluated based on:
- Confirmation of active participation in a recognized conference
- Academic performance and quality of the contribution
- Available funding budget
Only completed and timely applications are reviewed, and decisions are made by the DAAD after evaluation.
Further information about the programme
What is funded?
The programme funds lecture trips of German researchers to institutions abroad (outside of conferences). It supports invited presentations of the applicant’s own research. Funding mainly consists of travel cost subsidies, depending on the travel distance and type of transport.
While the programme does not fund foreign universities directly, they benefit through:
- Direct knowledge transfer through lectures
- Stronger research and institutional partnerships
- Improved internationalisation and visibility
- Enriched teaching and learning environment
- Increased academic reputation
- Minimal or no financial burden for hosting
Who can apply?
Eligible applicants are doctoral candidates and postdoctoral (or senior) researchers who are integrated into the German academic system and usually have their main residence in Germany.
Application Requirements
Applicants must submit:
- DAAD application form
- Programme questionnaire
- Curriculum vitae (CV)
- Motivation and project description
- Academic certificates (if applicable)
- Official invitation letter from the host institution
- Additional documents if relevant (e.g. funding confirmations, awards)
Application Deadline
Applications can be submitted throughout the year, but must be completed at least 1 month (30 days) before the planned lecture date.
Selection Procedure
Academic qualifications and publication record
- Scientific and professional relevance of the trip
- Quality and impact of the proposed lecture
- Cost-effectiveness and available budget
Decisions are made after a formal and academic review, and only complete applications are considered.
Further information about the programme
About the Programme
The RISE Worldwide program offers research internships for German Bachelor students in the fields of natural sciences, engineering and computer science. Research institutes all over the world can participate. RISE Worldwide supports up to 300 students with a monthly scholarship.
Becoming a RISE host allows research institutions or universities to attract talented German students, strengthen international collaboration, and enhance their research capacity at no scholarship cost.
Who can offer an internship?
A professor, a postdoc or a PhD student at a research institute and offer an internship and become a host for a German undergraduate intern.
Tasks of the internship provider
- Supervising the research project
- Apartment search
- Visit the authorities
- Leisure activities
Timeframe and Duration of the Internship
Six weeks to three months between June and October (please note that German academic year usually ends in mid-to-late July).
Timeframe of the Programme
By submitting the offer that means confirmation that the offer can be forwarded to the interested applicants.
The project description should not be longer than one page and must be uploaded in pdf format.
Please include the name and contact data on the project description including the webpage of the institute. Many applicants only print out the description itself. With no contact data they have problems finding the project in the database one more time.
Please mention the following aspects in the project description:
- scientific research questions
- experimental approach
- possible prospective tasks of the intern
- general information about the work group, the university and the region
Procedure
- German applicants register online to review the internship offers. They apply from October 15 through November 30 to a maximum of three projects.
- The German applicants’ profiles are checked for eligibility by DAAD staff and are then activated to be reviewed online by the researchers.
- As a prospective host we ask the internship providers to rank the applicants to their project. In order to do so, the providers may contact the applicants and arrange interviews with them.
- DAAD places students with internship projects and awards scholarships based on academic merit and the internship providers’ quality assessment.
- Future hosts and interns are notified of the decision at the beginning of March.
- Earliest start of the internship June 1.