The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) is inviting applications for the 2024 DAAD PRIME Fellowship Program. This program offers full funding, including an annual salary of up to €80,000. It also covers travel expenses, accommodation costs, and expenses for dependents accompanying the fellow abroad for more than one month.
Program Overview
- Host Country: Germany
- Study Region: Europe
- Category: Fellowships
- Eligible Countries: All countries
- Reward: Full sponsorship, €80,000/year, travel costs covered
- No IELTS Required
- Deadline: August 30, 2024
About the DAAD PRIME Fellowship Program
The DAAD PRIME Fellowship Program aims to fund international mobility for postdoctoral researchers with temporary positions at German universities. The program is funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) and includes a mandatory return phase for reintegration into the German science system. The goal is to provide participants with important qualifications for a continued career in science.
The target group for this program consists of postdoctoral researchers who see their long-term professional career in Germany. Postdocs who envision their long-term career in Germany receive funding for an independent research stay abroad, based on temporary employment at a German university.
Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible for the DAAD PRIME Fellowship Program 2024, you must meet the following criteria:
- Applicants with above-average qualifications from all faculties may apply.
- Applicants can be of any nationality.
- Applicants must accept that the research stay abroad and the return phase to Germany are both mandatory parts of the program.
- Applicants living abroad are expected to state their intent to continue their research careers in Germany upon completion of the return phase.
- Applicants who already have a permanent employment contract with the prospective host institution for the intended research activity are not eligible for funding.
- Applicants must apply within six years after their (first) doctorate.
- Applicants must have completed their doctorate with excellent results before the start of funding.
Benefits
- The DAAD will conclude a grant agreement with the respective German university, covering the costs for the regular salary and monthly expatriate allowance.
- Salary: Temporary 18-month employment contract at a German university according to pay scale TV-L EG 13 (€70,000 – €80,000), determined by the university based on previous work experience.
- Expatriate allowance: A monthly allowance for the research stay abroad, based on the destination area and the gross income of the fellows.
- Travel allowance: PRIME Fellows receive the DAAD lump sum travel subsidy for postdoctoral scientists. Spouses and children are also eligible if they accompany the fellow for at least one month during the research stay abroad. The travel allowance is paid directly by DAAD.
- DAAD provides funding for an 18-month employment contract at a German university to conduct a 12-month research stay abroad with a 6-month subsequent return phase to Germany.
- During the 12 months abroad, fellows may combine stays at several research institutions in one or several countries.
Required Documents
To apply, candidates must submit the following documents:
- Application Form
- EU standard Curriculum Vitae
- Binding declaration from the German host university (form)
- Invitation letter from the German host
- Time schedule for the planned work abroad and in Germany
- A detailed and independently prepared research proposal
- One confidential letter of recommendation from a university professor
- Short summary/abstract of the research project
- Career plan (one-page maximum)
How to Apply
- Visit the DAAD website for the fellowship
- Access the DAAD application portal by clicking on “Stipendiendatenbank für Deutsche.”
- Complete the portal registration to generate and download the form for the required letter of recommendation.
- Enter the applicant data, and upload all other application documents (including the letter of recommendation) to the portal as PDF files.
- Submit all documents in English, except for certificates.
- Applications can be updated and supplemented until the deadline.
