Finding Scholarships

Overview

Objective

To improve international relations and bilateral research cooperations between German universities and universities abroad, the DAAD supports the mutual exchange of academics.

The basis for the exchange are cultural agreements between the Federal Republic of Germany and partner countries as well as bilateral agreements with partner institutions abroad.

Who can apply?

The programme is aimed at university teachers and experienced academics and scientists. As a rule, you should have a doctorate and you should be working at a university or research institute in your home country.
You should also, if possible, already be in contact with your chosen host institution in Germany. Ideally, you will have an exchange partner who is simultaneously applying for funding to visit your institution.

What can be funded?

This programme promotes mutual exchanges between researchers from Germany and partner countries. You find the DAAD contract partners and participating institutions in your country in this overview.
Research stays at state or state-recognised universities or non-university research institutes in Germany are funded.

In the implementation of the bilateral programme, care is taken to ensure equal exchanges in both directions. Funding for a visit to Germany can therefore only be awarded if researchers from Germany also travel to your country for research stays. It is therefore advantageous for your application if you have an exchange partner from Germany who is also applying for the programme. You can find the call for applications for researchers from Germany here (in German).

Lecture tours or visits to congresses are not funded.

Duration of the funding

Your research stay should last at least 14 days (for stays from applicants from EU countries: at least 7 days) up to a maximum of three months. Please indicate in your application form how long you wish to receive funding. The funding period will then be determined during the selection process, taking into account your study plan.

The grant cannot be extended.
Funding must begin in 2027.

Value

• Monthly scholarship payments of:
  2,000 euros for assistant teachers, assistant professors and lecturers
  2,150 euros for professors
• Unless otherwise regulated by bilateral agreements, the costs of the outward and return journey are borne by the respective sending country. Please contact your university or research institution or enquire at the DAAD (see ‘Contact and Consulting’).
• In case of a disability or chronic illness: on application, a subsidy may be provided for justified additional costs incurred abroad that are necessary to realise the project in Germany and that are not covered by a third party; whether and to what extent a subsidy will be paid, will be reviewed and determined on an individual basis (see important information for scholarship applicants, section F, point 8)
• Please note: Health insurance coverage is mandatory in Germany. If you do not have a corresponding home health insurance, you will be insured by the DAAD. The costs will be deducted from the scholarship payment.

Selection

An independent selection committee will decide on the applications based on the documents submitted.

The most important selection criteria are:

• Your academic achievements as evidenced by your curriculum vitae and list of publications (see ‘Application documents’)
• A convincing and well-planned research project agreed with the host institution (see ‘Application documents’)