Incoming Programs of External Sponsors for Doctoral Researchers





Alfred Toepfer Stiftung F.V.S. (Alfred Toepfer Foundation F.V.S) – Voltaire-Scholarship 

Target group:
German and French young scientists

Area of studies:
All

Terms of application:
The Alfred Toepfer Foundation F.V.S. awards this scholarship annually in cooperation with the Académie de Berlin, which proposes the fellow. An application for a Voltaire scholarship is thus not possible.

Period/amount of funding:
Funding amounts to EUR 1.200 a month. The funding period is up to a year.

Deadline:
For information on the nomination period, please contact the foundation!

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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

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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:
February 13, 2023

April 10, 2023

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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:
A call for nomination is published in spring of every second year alternating with the Hansen Family Award.

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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

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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

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German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) – One year grants for doctoral researchers 

Target group:
foreign doctoral researchers

Area of studies:
All

Terms of application:
Applications are open to highly qualified young scientists who have completed their studies with a Master's or Diploma, or, in exceptional cases, a Bachelor's degree, at the latest by the time the scholarship is awarded.

Period/amount of funding:
7 months to usually 12 months; the funding period is determined by a selection committee depending on the project and the work plan. Monthly scholarship rate of EUR 1.200. Additionally payments for insurance, a one of research subsidy, possibly a subsidy for travel costs, partial or complete absorption of the costs of a German course and exam.

Deadline:
Application deadlines depend on the country of origin. Please use the ▶ scholarship database of the DAAD to find application deadlines.

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German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) – Short-term grants 

Target group:
Doctoral researchers and postdocs from abroad

Area of studies:
All

Terms of application:
Funding is provided for a research project or a training project at a state or state-recognized German university or research institution which is carried out in consultation with an academic supervisor in Germany. For doctoral researchers the begin of their doctoral research phase should not be longer than three years ago.

Period/amount of funding:
One month to max. six months. Monthly grant rate depending on the level of training in the amount of EUR 1.200 for doctoral researchers (in addition, insurance and travel expenses are supported).

Deadline:
Application deadlines depend on the country of origin. Please use the ▶ scholarship database of the DAAD to find application deadlines.

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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

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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:
December 6, 2023

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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.

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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:

  • Research and work projects at state or state-recognized universities or non-university research institutions in Germany

  • Working stays at an institution from business, administration, culture or media for former scholarship holders working outside the scientific field.

  • A research or work stay can also take place at various host institutions.

  • 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.

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German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) and International Scholars and Welcome Office (IScO) – STIBET Graduation Support

Target group:
Graduation support is meant for foreign doctoral researchers who in the final phase of their dissertation project have to bridge a financing gap.

Area of studies:
All

Terms of application:
Application of the supervisor of the doctoral dissertation: informal letter, with an estimate of the completion date of the doctorate and the period of required support, curriculum vitae, valid letter of acceptance at the KIT Department and registration at ▶ KHYS.

Period/amount of funding:
Funding period is up to six months, an extension is possible after renewed examination. The amount of funding is adapted to individual needs.

Deadline:
The program is temporarily not open for applications. Contact is ▶ Oliver Kaas of International Scholars and Welcome Office (IScO).

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German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) and International Scholars and Welcome Office (IScO) – STIBET Research Assistantships

Target group:
foreign doctoral researchers

Area of studies:
All

Terms of application:
Documents required: Application letter by the supervisor confirming and explaining the content of the additional research project, CV of the candidate, registration at ▶ KHYS

Period/amount of funding:
Type of grant: research assistantship based on a contract as graduate assistant (wissenschaftliche Hilfskraft) for 1-5 months (depending on the intended research activities), workload about five hours per week. Funding is ca. EUR 450 (pre-tax) per month.

Deadline:
The program is temporarily not open for applications. Contact is ▶ Oliver Kaas of International Scholars and Welcome Office (IScO).

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German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) and International Scholars and Welcome Office (IScO) – STIBET Contact scholarships

Target group:
doctoral researchers 

Area of studies:
All

Terms of application:
Application of the supervisor of the doctoral dissertation: informal letter, with an estimate of the completion date of the doctorate and the period of required support, curriculum vitae

Period/amount of funding:
five months (extension possible)

Deadline:
The program is temporarily not open for applications. Contact is ▶ Oliver Kaas of International Scholars and Welcome Office (IScO).

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German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) and International Scholars and Welcome Office (IScO) – STIBET Teaching Assistantships

Target group:
foreign doctoral researchers

Area of studies:
All

Terms of application:
In principle applications will be accepted only from those foreign doctoral researchers currently receiving neither university funding nor any other funding. Doctoral researchers supported by third parties are not eligible to apply.

Required application documents: cover letter of the supervisor which confirms the support for the proposed course and the corresponding integration into the curriculum, curriculum vitae of candidate, letter of acceptance at the KIT Department.

Period/amount of funding:
1-5 months (depending on the intended research activities), workload about five hours per week
Funding is ca. EUR 450 gross (pre-tax) per month.

Deadline:
The program is temporarily not open for applications. Contact is ▶ Oliver Kaas of International Scholars and Welcome Office (IScO).

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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.

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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. The next call for applications is expected to take place in fall 2024.

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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:
application must be submitted by 21 March 2023.

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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.

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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)

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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).

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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 EUR 1.377 to EUR 2.300. German scholarship holders received plus EUR 1.365 to EUR 1.519 plus married persons and children's allowance.

Deadline:
January 15 / June 15 every year

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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.

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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 4, to December 4.

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