2. DAAD Grants & Funding: Graduates & Post-Docs
Herzlich Willkommen!
DAAD Grants & Funding: Graduates & Post-Docs
Simon Fraser University Tuesday, November 19, 2013
Welcome Everybody.
I am happy to having the chance today to introduce you to the variety of DAAD funding opportunities.
My name…. Information Officer at Information Centre of the DAAD – German Academic Exchange Service in Toronto. Our job is to provide information on study and research opportunities in Germany and that is what I am going to do here today with an emphasis on our programs geared towards graduate students and post-docs.
John Paul Kleiner DAAD Information Centre Toronto
DAAD
Deutscher Akademischer Austausch Dienst
German Academic Exchange Service
: : North America : :

3. What is DAAD?
German national agency for international academic cooperation and exchange
Independent association of universities
DAAD provides:
Scholarships and grants
Information and counseling about studying & research in Germany
Facts & Figures:
70 Regional Offices and Information Centers worldwide
Regional Office for the US and Canada : New York City
Annual budget : ~ 428 m € / CAD $ 603 m in 2012
Over 70,000 people supported annually
2,034 from North America / 5,507 to North America in 2012
All academic levels, all fields, varied lengths of stay
The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) is the largest funding organisation in the world supporting the international exchange of students and scholars.
Do not offer programs of study or courses, but awards competitive, merit-based grants for studying and/or doing research in Germany
It also awards grants to German students, doctoral students, and scholars for studies and research abroad.
Since 1925, more than 1.5 million scholars in Germany and abroad have received DAAD funding.
internationalisation of German universities
promotes German studies and the German language abroad
assists developing countries in establishing effective universities
Funded mainly by ministries of German federal government, chiefly the German Federal Foreign Office, but also EU and a number of enterprises, organisations and foreign governments.
HQ Bonn and in Berlin, the German capital with 70 offices around the world of which the Information Centre in Toronto is one.
Annual budget : ~ 428 m € / CAD 603 m in 2012
Over 70,000 people supported annually
2,034 from North America / 5,507 to North America in 2012
Thereof 349 from Canada / 923 to Canada - relative to the demographic populations Canada fares comparatively well in terms of scholarship and grant numbers, which makes Canada a very important academic partner.
DAAD
Deutscher Akademischer Austausch Dienst
German Academic Exchange Service
: : North America : :

4. The DAAD Network – Worldwide
Headquarters maintain contact with and provide advice to its main partner countries on every continent via a network of 15 regional offices and 55 information centres.
DAAD
Deutscher Akademischer Austausch Dienst
German Academic Exchange Service
: : North America : :

5. Bologna Process Creating a European Higher Education Area
Three-tier degree Structure:
Bachelor (3 years)
Master (2 years)
PhD
1000+ “International Degree Programs”; taught in English
More competition between institutions
More transparency about
individual programs
Bologna Process refers to efforts to integrate post-secondary education in Europe that began in the 1990s with an eye to making degrees more transferable
Three-tier degree Structure
And International Degree Programs (at present more than at German unis and # growing), typically taught in English
These changes have helped increase the number of young people choosing to study in Germany and it has clearly enhanced the international mobility of German students – not unusual for a German bachelor degree study to include 1 semester or at a university in another European country.
DAAD
Deutscher Akademischer Austausch Dienst
German Academic Exchange Service
: : North America : :

6. Why Germany? High academic standard & standard of living
101 million people speak German worldwide  
Most widely-spoken language of the European Union
Number of German pages in the internet takes second place after English-speaking pages
Ranked 3rd worldwide for the number of books published
More than 250,000 international students in Germany (2011)
Largest economy in Europe & the 3rd largest in the world
High academic standard & standard of living
Germany is the fourth most popular study destination after the US, UK and Australia, according to OECD data.
With regard to tuition fees, a German degree costs non-EU students on average € 500 / 750 CAD per semester and in some states nothing at all.
DAAD
Deutscher Akademischer Austausch Dienst
German Academic Exchange Service
: : North America : :

7. German Higher Education
Two main types of higher education institutions:
Research Universities: undergraduate, professional and doctoral programs
Universities of Applied Sciences (Fachhochschulen): practice-oriented Bachelor’s and Master’s programs
Outstanding research institutes outside universities:
Max Planck Institutes
Helmholtz Research Centers
Fraunhofer Institutes
German universities are manifold and diverse. There are more than 350 universities and over 13,500 courses.
Link: is where you can find information on International Degree Programs, or, the over 1,300 degrees offered by German institutions that are offered in English. More than 600 Master’s programs compared with approx. 350 in France.
Work in Germany: In May 2012 the German government passed a bill extending work rights for international students – it’s now possible for foreign students to work part-time while in Germany in order to cover their costs of living.
DAAD
Deutscher Akademischer Austausch Dienst
German Academic Exchange Service
: : North America : :

8. DAAD Scholarships
Funding for study abroad, internships or senior thesis research
Open to students in all fields
Previous knowledge of German not required, but advantageous
Monthly stipend or lump sum
Health Insurance
Some travel reimbursement
All-Grantees meeting in Bonn
DAAD
Deutscher Akademischer Austausch Dienst
German Academic Exchange Service
: : North America : :

9. Opportunities for Study & Research in Germany
- Graduates & Post-Docs - Programs and Scholarships

10. Study Scholarship for Graduates
Support for one or two years of study in Germany
Can be used to earn a Master’s degree at a German university
German language ability should be commensurate with needs
Final-year undergrads may apply
60 awarded annually
€ 750/month; insurance; travel stipend
Deadline: November 15
DAAD
Deutscher Akademischer Austausch Dienst
German Academic Exchange Service
: : North America : :

11. Intensive Language Courses in Germany
Eight-week intensive language courses at leading institutes in Germany
Courses can be taken between June and January
Requirements:
Full-time graduate students in any field of study except German Studies, German Language & Literature, and German Translation & Interpretation
Applicants must have completed 3 semesters of college or university level German or have achieved an equivalent level of language proficiency
Terms of Award:
Scholarship: €2,300; includes tuition, accommodation and a cash allowance, health insurance, travel costs
Deadline: December 15
DAAD
Deutscher Akademischer Austausch Dienst
German Academic Exchange Service
: : North America : :

12. Research Grants 1 to 10 months with the possibility of an extension
For PhD candidates and postdocs, must have well-defined research project
Can also be used to complete PhD in Germany
Around 30 short term (< 6 mo.) and 60 long-term awarded annually
Invitation by host institution essential
Monthly support of ~ €1,000; travel stipend; insurance
Deadlines: November 1 / May 1
DAAD
Deutscher Akademischer Austausch Dienst
German Academic Exchange Service
: : North America : :

13. German Studies Research Grant
For students who are nominated by their department/program chairs
Short-term research (one or two months) in either North America or Germany
Undergrad with a German Studies major or minor and Grad students
Two years of college-level German are expected
Minimum of three courses in German Studies
$1,500 to $2,500 research support for living costs during the active research phase
Deadline: For Canadians, applications will be accepted on a rolling basis (i.e. no deadline) until further notice!
The program is designed to encourage research and promote the study of cultural, political, historical, economic and social aspects of modern and contemporary German affairs from an inter- and multidisciplinary perspective.
Eligibility Requirements:
Applicants are expected to have completed two years of college German and a minimum of three courses in German Studies (literature, history, politics or other fields) at the time of nomination. Grants are restricted to citizens of the US and Canada who are enrolled full time at the university that nominates them.
DAAD
Deutscher Akademischer Austausch Dienst
German Academic Exchange Service
: : North America : :

14. RISE professional
For undergraduate DAAD alumni, recent graduates or grad & PhD students
6-26 week summer placements in industry internships with leading German companies
German requirements depend on the nature of the internship
Scholarships and housing assistance are provided
2 week intensive language course for participants with little or no German
€250/monthly for graduates, €500/monthly for PhD students + €500/monthly from host company
Health insurance, travel reimbursement
Deadline: January 31
DAAD
Deutscher Akademischer Austausch Dienst
German Academic Exchange Service
: : North America : :

15. Study Scholarship for Artists & Musicians
Fields: fine art, design, film, music, choreography and architecture
Graduates, PhD candidates, postdocs
One academic year (October – July) with possibility of an extension
€750/monthly, health insurance, travel reimbursement
Deadline: November 1
Graduate students applying for this program must be enrolled at an accredited university at the time of application.(Those who have already completed an undergraduate degree do not need to be currently enrolled.)
Recent graduates who have completed their Bachelor's degrees no longer than six years before the application deadline are welcome to apply.
PhD candidates must have achieved ABD status no longer than four years before applying. Postdocs may apply until two years after completion of their PhD.
Applicants should be US or Canadian citizens. Foreign nationals must have studied at an accredited US or Canadian university for at least two years by the time of application.
DAAD
Deutscher Akademischer Austausch Dienst
German Academic Exchange Service
: : North America : :

16. Leibniz-DAAD Research Fellowships
Targets highly-qualified recent postdocs
Scholarship supports research stay at one of the 86 Institutes of the Leibniz Association in Germany
Research foci include the humanities and social sciences, economics, spatial and life sciences, mathematics, natural sciences, engineering and environmental research
Website:
Announcement of 2014 Fellowship Details: January 7, 2014
Deadline: March 7, 2014
DAAD
Deutscher Akademischer Austausch Dienst
German Academic Exchange Service
: : North America : :

17. DAAD – Roche Diagnostics Postdoc Program
Advanced research placements at one of Europe’s leading biotech research centres
Highly qualified recent post-docs looking for industrial research experience
12 months with possibility of one 12 month extension
Monthly allowance of €2,250 (more for those with family), insurance coverage, travel costs and help finding accommodation
Rolling deadline for applications
Young postdocs working in fields of chemistry, biochemistry, molecular biology, cell biology, or bio-informatics,
DAAD
Deutscher Akademischer Austausch Dienst
German Academic Exchange Service
: : North America : :

18. Tips for success
Express why a stay in Germany is critical for your academic or professional goals
Obtain a letter of invitation from a German professor or institution
Explain clearly why you chose the location or program you did
Submit quality letters of recommendation
Make sure your application is on time and complete
DAAD
Deutscher Akademischer Austausch Dienst
German Academic Exchange Service
: : North America : :

19. PhD Research Grants and Positions
DFG
Research Training Groups
Position/Grant
Graduate Schools
DAAD
Research Grants
Max Planck
Research Schools
Individual Doctoral Projects
Leibniz
Graduate Schools
PhD Progs DAAD – Research Grants DFG – Research Group Training, Graduate Schools
Max Planck – Research Schools, host individual Doctoral Projects at their Institutes
Leibniz Institutes – host Graduate Schools
Fraunhofer – host individual Doctoral Projects Helmholtz – Research Schools and Graduate Schools, individual Doctoral Projects
Helmholtz
Research Schools and Graduate Schools
Individual Doctoral Projects
Fraunhofer Institutes
Individual Doctoral Projects
DAAD
Deutscher Akademischer Austausch Dienst
German Academic Exchange Service

20. Postdoc Positions in Germany
DFG
Position/Grant at:
Research Training Groups
Graduate Schools
Research Fellowship
Collaborative Research Centres
Clusters of Excellence
DAAD
Research Grant
DLR-DAAD Research Fellowships
Universities and
Academies
Refer them to „German Funding Programmes for Scientists and Researchers“ booklet
Max Planck
Grants for advanced postdoctoral training
Alexander von Humboldt Foundation
Humboldt Research Fellowships for postdoctoral researchers
DAAD
Deutscher Akademischer Austausch Dienst
German Academic Exchange Service

21. Visit our website for the USA and Canada: www.daad.org
Online-Brochure for Canadians:
Other funding resources:
General information about study and research in Germany
This short presentation could give you only a basic overview of the scope of grant possibilities that DAAD provides for North Americans.
There are a number of resources to help you search for long and short-term study and research in Germany and stay connected with DAAD North America. Be sure to check out these search engines and social media resources:
lets you search for all degree courses at the Bachelors, Masters and PhD level and offers great resources everything you need to know about preparing for and executing a study experience in Germany!
displays a variety of information on pursuing graduate and post-graduate level research as well as general information about navigating the German research landscape.
The Deutsche Studentenwerk (The German Student Agency) is the umbrella organisation of the 58 Studentenwerke in Germany. The Student agencies are partner organisations of the universities and support the ca. two million students with lots of help and services around their studies e.g. organizing the .
Visit us at one of these websites or connect with us via social media!
All the addresses of the websites and online databases shown on the slides are also available in the different brochures that we provide for you.
Most of the brochures are also available online as pdf files on the DAAD.org website.
DAAD
Deutscher Akademischer Austausch Dienst
German Academic Exchange Service
: : North America : :

22. We hope to see you soon in Germany!