Incoming Programs of External Sponsors for Doctoral Researchers
- Bayer Science & Education Foundation – Carl Duisberg Scholarship
- Bayer Science & Education Foundation – Jeff Schell Scholarship
- Bayer Science & Education Foundation – Otto Bayer Scholarship
- Canon Foundation in Europe – Research Fellowships
- Catholic Academic Exchange Service (KAAD) – Eastern Europe Program
- Catholic Academic Exchange Service (KAAD) – Scholarship Programme 1
- Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) and Ministry of Science, Technology and Space (MOST) – German-Israeli Cooperation in Water Technology Research) – Young Scientists Exchange Program
- German Federal Environmental Foundation (DBU) – DBU Scholarship Exchange Program with CEE Countries
- German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) – Research Grants in Germany
- German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) – Program of project-based personnel exchange (PPP)
- German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) – Research Internships in Science and Engineering (RISE)
- German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) – Sino-German (CSC-DAAD) Postdoc Scholarship Program
- German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) – Re-invitation Program for Former Scholarship Holders
- Government Scholarship PR China / CAS DAAD Programme – Scholarships for research stays in Germany
- Helmholtz Visiting Researcher Grant
- HIDA Trainee Network – Helmholtz-wide exchange program
- Human Frontier Science Program – Program Grants
- International Scholars and Welcome Office (IScO) – Re-Invitation Grant for Research Alumni
- Minerva Stiftung (Minerva Foundation) – Minerva Fellowship Program
- Minerva Stiftung (Minerva Foundation) – Minerva Short-Term Research Grants
Bayer Science & Education Foundation – Carl Duisberg Scholarship
Target group:
Science students and young professiobals from abroad seeking a doctorate or research project in Germany or science students and young professionals from Germany seeking a doctorate or research project abroad
Area of studies:
Medicine
Terms of application:
The scholarship is intended for doctoral researchers going abroad for up to one year in the framework of a particular project (for example, research projects, internships, special courses). Applicants need to have good grades and a specific project for which a project and cost plan as well as the confirmation of the receiving institution must be submitted.
Period/amount of funding:
In principle, the funding is intended to cover the cost of living, travel and project costs incurred. To this end, each applicant can provide individual details in the cost plan, on which the Board of Trustees makes its funding decision (maximum 20.000€).
Deadline:
April 9, 2024. Deadline for 2025 is not published yet.
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Bayer Science & Education Foundation – Jeff Schell Scholarship
Target group:
Science students and young professiobals from abroad seeking a doctorate or research project in Germany or science students and young professionals from Germany seeking a doctorate or research project abroad
Area of studies:
Agricultural sciences
Terms of Application:
The scholarship is intended for students and young professionals with up to two years of professional experience going abroad for up to one year in the framework of a particular project (for example, research projects, internships, special courses). Applicants need to have good grades and a specific project for which a project and cost plan as well as the confirmation of the receiving institution must be submitted.
Period/amount of funding:
In principle, the funding is intended to cover the cost of living, travel and project costs incurred. To this end, each applicant can provide individual details in the cost plan, on which the Board of Trustees makes its funding decision (maximum 20.000€).
Deadline:
April 9, 2024. Deadline for 2025 is not published yet.
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Bayer Science & Education Foundation – Otto Bayer Scholarship
Target group:
Science students and young professiobals from abroad seeking a doctorate or research project in Germany or science students and young professionals from Germany seeking a doctorate or research project abroad
Area of studies:
Chemistry, biochemistry or biology
Terms of application:
The scholarship is intended for students and young professionals with up to two years of professional experience going abroad for up to one year in the framework of a particular project (for example, research projects, internships, special courses). Applicants need to have good grades and a specific project for which a project and cost plan as well as the confirmation of the receiving institution must be submitted.
Period/amount of funding:
In principle, funding is intended to cover cost of living, travel and project costs. For this, each candidate individually specifies these in the cost plan based on which the board of the foundation makes its funding decision (maximum 20.000€).
Deadline:
April 9, 2024. Deadline for 2025 is not published yet.
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Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) and Ministry of Science, Technology and Space (MOST) – German-Israeli Cooperation in Water Technology Research) – Young Scientists Exchange Program
Target group:
Israeli and German diploma/M.Sc.-students, postgraduates, doctoral researchers, and postdoctoral researchers who wish to spend a training period in Israel or Germany for up to 6 months, but not less than 1 month.
Area of studies:
German-Israeli cooperation in water technology research.
Period/amount of funding:
Accommodation and living expenses (as lump sums): EUR 1,690 for 1st month *), EUR 1,380 for 2nd - 6th month, EUR 46 for additional days as lump sums, travel, extraordinary expenses: only on account *) The increased lump sum for the first month includes the costs for additional insurances (health, accident, luggage, private liability) that shall be contracted by the candidates for the period of their stay abroad according to the agreement.
Deadline:
Applications can be submitted at any time.
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Canon Foundation in Europe – Research Fellowships
Target group:
European and Japanese researchers
Area of studies:
All
Application:
Candidates are required to have obtained at least a Master's degree within the previous ten years. Exceptional candidates who obtained their qualification more than ten years prior to application will also be considered. Such candidates are required to provide further supporting information in their application. The European Fellowship holders pursue a period of research in Japanwhereas the Japanese Fellows do their research at host institutions in Europe.
Funding period/ funding amount:
3-12 months; The financial support for Research Fellows ranges from EUR 22,500 to EUR 27,500 per year and pro-rata for different periods.
Deadline:
September 15 every year
German Federal Environmental Foundation (DBU) – DBU Scholarship Exchange Program with CEE Countries
Target group:
applicants from Central and Eastern Europe for a research stay in Germany
Area of studies:
Environmental sciences
Terms of application:
An above-average university degree obtained within the last three years, doctoral candidates can apply if the doctoral project is not completed until after the end of the scholarship. Sufficient knowledge of the German language needs to be proven at the beginning of the stay at the host institution. The application procedure is available in German and English.
Period/amount of funding:
Six to twelve months' research stay with EUR 1,350 a month. In addition to the financial support scholarship holders also receive health, accident and liability insurance. doctoral candidates can apply if the doctoral project is not completed until after the end of the scholarship
Deadline:
March 5 / September 5 every year
German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) – Research Grants in Germany
Target group:
Foreign doctoral researchers and postdocs
Area of studies:
All
Terms of application:
A research project at a state or state-recognised university or a non-university research institute in Germany, which is being carried out in agreement with a scientific supervisor in Germany.
Period/amount of funding:
Duration/Funding Amount: Doctoral candidates: 2 to 12 months; Postdocs: 2 to 6 months. The funding period cannot be split into multiple intervals. Research conducted in countries outside Germany is not eligible for funding. The duration of funding is determined by the selection committee based on your work plan. Scholarships cannot be extended.
Funding includes a monthly stipend of EUR 1.300; payments towards health, accident and personal liability insurance cover; travel allowance. For funding periods exceeding six months: a one-time research allowance of EUR 460.
Deadline:
Application deadlines depend on the country of origin. Please use the ▶ scholarship database of the DAAD to find application deadlines.
German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) – Program of project-based personnel exchange (PPP)
Target group:
Graduates, doctoral researchers, postdocs, scientists
Area of studies:
Varies, depending on the program agreements with the partner country
Terms of application:
The aim of the program is to strengthen cooperation between international and German research groups. It is a bilateral program with 29 foreign partner countries. Contact at KIT is ▶ Oliver Kaas.
Period/amount of funding:
Normally up to two years, with a possible extension for a further year (varies by destination country). Basic funding of the project must be secured by other means. The stay is then generally one month (with exceptions).
Deadline:
depends on destination country
German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) – Research Internships in Science and Engineering (RISE)
Target group:
doctoral researchers
Area of studies:
biology, chemistry, physics, engineering, earth and life sciences
Terms of application:
RISE offers unique opportunities for bachelor students from the United States, Canada, Ireland and the UK to work with research groups at universities and top research institutions across Germany for a period of 2 to 3 months during the summer. RISE interns are matched with doctoral researchers (from Germany) whom they assist and who serve as their mentors. The doctoral researchers are helped by receiving support in their experimental work, opportunity for (professional) discussion, improvement of their knowledge of foreign languages, experience in personnel management, new contacts with universities in North America and Great Britain. Contact at KIT is ▶ Oliver Kaas. Doctoral researchers can offer an internship at KIT.
Period/amount of funding:
The internships take place in summer.
Deadline:
September 30, 2024
German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) – Sino-German (CSC-DAAD) Postdoc Scholarship Program
Target group:
Chinese postdocs and doctoral candidates intending to complete their doctorate by the start of funding
Area of studies:
All
Terms of Application:
Outstanding graduates from Chinese universities can apply, especially those that are part of the "985" or "211" project, and from institutes of the Chinese Academy of Sciences or the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.
The doctoral degree should have been completed no longer than two years before the time of application. Doctoral candidates intending to complete their doctorate by the start of funding are also eligible to apply.
Period/amount of funding:
The funding period is 6-24 months. After 12 months, it will be checked whether the funding can be extended for up to 12 more months.
Payments made by the CSC: Monthly scholarship payments of EUR 1.350
Payments made by the DAAD: Monthly scholarship payments of EUR 700
Deadline:
Applications are possible between November 01 and November 30.
German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) – Re-invitation Program for Former Scholarship Holders
Target group:
Former holders of DAAD research grants or study scholarships, who were funded for a period of over six months. Former East German scholarship holders who studied for at least one year in Germany.
Area of studies:
All
Terms of application:
Eligible for funding are:
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Research and work projects at state or state-recognized universities or non-university research institutions in Germany
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Working stays at an institution from business, administration, culture or media for former scholarship holders working outside the scientific field.
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A research or work stay can also take place at various host institutions.
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A grant can only be claimed once within three years.
Period/amount of funding:
1 to 3 months; the funding period is determined by a selection committee depending on the project and the work planning. The scholarship cannot be extended. Monthly scholarship rate of EUR 2.000 for assistants, assistant professors and lecturers; EUR 2.150 Euro for professors. The scholarship rate for former scholarship holders working outside the academic sector depends on their qualification and is determined analogously to the rates mentioned above. Subsidy for travel expenses, provided that the costs are not borne by the home country or another party.
Deadline:
depends on destination country.
Helmholtz Visiting Researcher Grant
Target group:
Doctoral researchers (at least 3 years research experience ) and postdocs from (inter)national research organizations or from industry
Area of studies:
Link to the (applied) information & data sciences
Terms of application:
The aim of the program is to enable new research collaborations, to foster knowledge exchange, and to explore new or emerging research topics in the field of information and data sciences. For the awarding of the grants, the motivation of the applicant, the quality and originality of the project as well as the basic feasibility within the time frame of the planned research stay are particularly decisive. Furthermore, a relation to the field of Information & Data Science as well as the added value for the research portfolio of the Helmholtz Association must be clearly recognizable. The funding commitment is made in coordination with the Helmholtz centers.
Period/amount of funding:
Research grant (2860€ + subsidies) for a 1-3 months stay at a Helmholtz Center.
Deadline:
March 15 and October 15 every year.
HIDA Trainee Network – Helmholtz-wide Exchange Program
Target group:
Doctoral and postdoctoral researchers
Area of studies:
(Applied) Information & data sciences
Terms of Application:
The exchange must take place between two Helmholtz Centers. The funding is awarded in particular on the basis of the applicant’s motivation, the quality and originality of the project, and its basic feasibility within the timeframe of the planned research stay. There must be a clear connection to the information science area. The program is intended to promote exchange between Helmholtz Centers and researchers and to enable young scientists to expand their portfolios.
Period/amount of funding:
One- to three-month-long research stays at another Helmholtz Center.
Two funding options:
1. Funding for travel and material expenses (up to EUR 2.000 per month) for Helmholtz‑internal doctoral and postdoctoral researchers
2. Receive a research grant (EUR 2.860 + subsidies) for Helmholtz-affiliated postdocs
Deadline:
At the start of 2024, HIDA will conduct an interim evaluation of its exchange programs and make adjustments if necessary.
Human Frontier Science Program – Program Grants
Target group:
teams of independent scientists
Area of studies:
Life sciences
Terms of application:
All team members must be independently able to advance their research.
Period/amount of funding:
up to USD 450.000 per team and year (depends on the number of members of the teams) for three years
Deadline:
March 27, 2025
International Scholars and Welcome Office (IScO) – Re-Invitation Grant for Research Alumni
Target group:
former guest researchers from abroadbwho would like to return to KIT for a short period to carry out a research project, to jointly set up and publish a scientific paper, or to jointly apply for funding for a joint research project with a funding organization
Area of studies:
All
Terms of application:
Prior ▶ registration in the research alumni network with a profile on the ▶ research alumni world map is mandatory. For the application please hand in the application form, the research alumni’s CV and a support letter by the host, including a short sketch of the joint research project during the stay. Contact is ▶ Oliver Kaas.
Period/amount of funding:
One to a maximum of two months, up to EUR 1.500 per month
Deadline:
There is no deadline for 2023 available.
Catholic Academic Exchange Service (KAAD) – Eastern Europe Program
Target group:
doctoral researchers and young scientists from Central, Eastern and Southeastern Europe, the Caucasus and Central Asia
Area of studies:
All, except for the training of clergy/order members and usually doctoral studies in theology
Terms of application:
Applications are open to candidates with good knowledge of German and of Catholic Christian faith (in exceptional cases, another Christian denomination, as long as they are proposed by Catholic partners) who are seeking a research stay or a deepening of existing scientific knowledge in Germany. Also supported are doctoral and postdoctoral projects in Germany. Applications are also open to university teachers invited for short research visits to Germany.
Period/amount of funding:
A research stay (in particular, justified exceptional cases doctoral research projects from applicants with a degree in Germany may also be funded up to a maximum of three years).
Deadline:
January 15 (award of scholarship March)
June 30 (award of scholarship September)
Catholic Academic Exchange Service (KAAD) – Scholarship Programme 1
Target group:
doctoral researchers from a developing or emerging country in Africa, Asia, the Near and Middle East or Latin America with work experience
Area of studies:
All
Terms of application:
You can apply for the "scholarship programme 1" of the KAAD if you: have a university degree and professional experience in your home country, want to carry out a research stay at a German university (doctoral or postdoctoral research) and are of Catholic Christian faith (mainly from the Near /Middle East belong to a Christian denomination in general/applicants of another religion may be eligible if they are put forward by Catholic partners with a documentable commitment to interreligious dialogue), have German language skills prior to entering Germany (KAAD can provide a German course of max. six months in Germany ).
Period/amount of funding:
postgraduate studies or research stay in Germany for 2-6 months
Deadline:
The selection committee meets twice a year. For the precise deadlines for application, please contact your KHG/KSG (catholic university/students group).
Minerva Stiftung (Minerva Foundation) – Minerva Fellowship Program
Target group:
German and Israeli doctoral researchers and postdocs
Area of studies:
All
Terms of application:
Applications are made in English. Graduates must have a university degree. Postdocs should have completed their doctorates less than seven years ago.
Period/amount of funding:
Six to 36 months for doctoral researchers, six to 24 months for postdocs (not extendable); Israeli scholarship holders receive between EUR 1.577 and EUR 2.600. German scholarship holders received plus EUR 1.898 to EUR 3.058 plus married persons and children's allowance.
Deadline:
January 6, 2025
Minerva Stiftung (Minerva Foundation) – Minerva Short-Term Research Grants
Target group:
German and Israeli academics younger than 38 years
Area of studies:
All
Terms of application:
Applications are made electronically. Prerequisites are innovative research fields.
Period/amount of funding:
One to eight weeks; graduates receive EUR 350 a week, postdoctoral researchers receive EUR 450 a week, plus travel allowance of EUR 700.
Deadline:
May 2 and November 2 of every year.
Government Scholarship PR China / CAS DAAD Programme – Scholarships for research stays in Germany
Target group:
doctoral researchers from the Univeristy of Chinese Academy of Sciences (UCAS) and research institutes of UCAS
Area of studies:
all
Terms of application:
A research stay at a German institution of higher education or research institution, with the exception of Max-Planck or Fraunhofer institutes can be funded.
Period/amount of funding:
12 to maximum of 22 months;
Monthly scholarship rate up to EUR 1.350 for the first year, EUR 1.200 for the second year .
Deadline:
Via the DAAD portal from November 13, to December 9.