Objective
'DLR-DAAD Research Fellowships' is a programme implemented by the 'German Aerospace Center' (DLR) and the 'German Academic Exchange Service' (DAAD). DLR is Germany’s national research centre for aeronautics and space. Its extensive research and development work in Aeronautics, Space, Energy and Transport is integrated into national and international cooperative ventures. As Germany’s space agency, DLR has been given responsibility for the forward planning and the implementation of the German space programme by the German federal government as well as for the international representation of German interests. Approximately 10,000 people plus approx. 550 visiting scientists are employed in DLR’s 55 institutes and facilities at 30 locations in Germany.
Who can apply?
This special programme is intended for highly-qualified foreign graduate and doctoral students as well as postdoctoral researchers and senior scientists. DLR-DAAD Fellowships are defined and awarded on an individual basis. Each fellowship announcement will indicate the specific qualification requirements and terms of visit.
What can be funded?
The current offers are published under DLR-DAAD Fellowships - Current offers on the homepages of the DAAD and the DLR in the research fields:
- Aeronautics
- Space
- Energy
- Transportation
Duration of the funding
- Type A – Graduate Students: 9 months
- Type B – Doctoral Students: 36 months
- Type C – Postdoctoral Researchers: 7 to 24 months
- Type D – Senior Scientists: 1 to 3 months
- Type E – Visiting Researchers PhD/Postdoc Level: 1 to 6 months
Value
- Type A – Graduate Students (Research in Germany): monthly instalment of 992 euros; plus e.g. flat-rate travel allowance, rent subsidy, health insurance, family allowances
- Type B – Doctoral Students (Doctorate in Germany): monthly instalment of 1,760 euros; plus e.g. flat-rate travel allowance, health insurance, family allowances
- Type C – Postdoctoral Researchers (Research in Germany): monthly instalment of 2,400
- Type D – Senior Scientists (Research in Germany): monthly instalment of 2,760 euros
- Type E – Visiting Researchers
PhD level: monthly instalment of 1,760 euros; plus health insurance, flat-rate travel allowance
Postdoc level: monthly instalment of 2,400 euros
Under certain circumstances, fellowship holders may receive the following additional benefits:
- In the case of a disability or chronic illness: subsidy for additional costs which result from the disability or chronic illness and are not covered by other funding providers: Further information
Further information
For further information see: www.daad.de/dlr
What requirements must be met?
At the time of their application, applicants for a DLR-DAAD Fellowship must
- not be of German nationality, or must be able to proof that the main place of residence lies outside of Germany for at least six years,
- be able to prove their outstanding study or research achievements in the field of research corresponding to the fellowship offer,
- Type A –have completed a first qualifying degree (Bachelor's, Diploma, equivalent) and must be enrolled in a Master's programme at a foreign or German university,
- Type B – have completed their studies or research with a university degree not more than six years ago,
- Type C – have completed their studies with a doctorate/PhD/Candidate (Russia) not more than two years ago,
- Type D – applicants are working in higher education or at a research institute; positions are open to outstandingly-qualified academics and scientists who should generally hold a doctorate/ PhD, additional prerequisites may differ and are stated in the fellowship offers,
- Type E – PhD applicants have completed a first qualifying degree and are currently enrolled in PhD studies; Postdoc applicants must have completed their studies with a doctorate/PhD/Candidate (Russia) not more than two years ago.
Language skills
An excellent knowledge of English; knowledge of German is advantageous.
Application deadline
If an application deadline exists, it is mentioned in the current offers.
The DLR-DAAD scholarships are awarded with the principle 'first come first serve', therefore fellowship offers may sometimes be allocated to other applicants while your application is still processed.
The DLR-DAAD scholarships are awarded with the principle 'first come first serve', therefore fellowship offers may sometimes be allocated to other applicants while your application is still processed.
Application documents
Type A
The following documents must be uploaded to the DAAD portal:
Type B and Type C
The following documents must be uploaded to the DAAD portal:
Type D
The following documents have to be uploaded to the DAAD portal:
Type E
The following documents have to be uploaded to the DAAD portal:
Important notice for all applicants:
Within the DLR-DAAD programme, you can only apply for a DLR institute, not for a university or any other institution.
By applying for a fellowship within the 'DLR-DAAD Research Fellowhips' Programme you give your consent to the DAAD to forward your documents and your personal details to DLR and its relevant institutions. The DAAD and the DLR will not pass on your details to third parties.
The following documents must be uploaded to the DAAD portal:
- Online application form;
- Cover page;
- Statement of the reasons for applying for a certain fellowship: Appendix;
- Complete curriculum vitae;
- Abstract of the final Bachelor (or equivalent) thesis;
- Bachelor or similar degree certificate indicating final grade(s): the certificate must be subsequently submitted before the grant-supported research begins if it is not yet available at the time of application;
- German or English translation of documents submitted in the national language;
- All university certificates on all annual examinations with individual grade(s), incl. explanation of grading System;
- Proof of Enrolment for Master's programme;
- Proof of English proficiency;
- One letter of recommendation from a professor of the applicant’s home institution.
The reference letter must be sent to the DAAD by post or can be submitted digitally by the referees via the reference database.
Type B and Type C
The following documents must be uploaded to the DAAD portal:
- Online application form;
- Cover page;
- Statement of the reasons for applying for a certain fellowship: Appendix;
- Complete curriculum vitae;
- List of publications, if applicable;
- Abstract of the final Master or PhD thesis (max. 3 pages);
- University degree certificate indicating final grade(s): the certificate must be subsequently submitted before the grant-supported research begins if it is not yet available at the time of application;
- English language certificate giving evidence of the applicant's Level of proficiency (e.g. TOEFL IBT min. 79, IELTS min. 6.5);
- German or English translation of documents submitted in the national language;
- All university certificates on all annual examinations with individual grade(s), incl. explanation of grading System.
Applicants are not required to submit any confirmation of academic supervision. - Two letters of recommendation which should be written by a senior academic of the applicant’s own choice.
The reference letters must be sent to the DAAD by post or can be submitted digitally by the referees via the reference database.
Type D
The following documents have to be uploaded to the DAAD portal:
- Online application form;
- Cover page;
- Statement of the reasons for applying for a certain fellowship: Appendix;
- Complete curriculum vitae;
- List of publications.
Type E
The following documents have to be uploaded to the DAAD portal:
- Online application form;
- Cover page;
- Statement of the reasons for applying for a certain fellowship: Appendix;
- Complete curriculum vitae;
- All university certificates on all annual examinations with individual grade(s), incl. explanation of grading System;
- List of publications.
Important notice for all applicants:
Within the DLR-DAAD programme, you can only apply for a DLR institute, not for a university or any other institution.
By applying for a fellowship within the 'DLR-DAAD Research Fellowhips' Programme you give your consent to the DAAD to forward your documents and your personal details to DLR and its relevant institutions. The DAAD and the DLR will not pass on your details to third parties.
Application location
Please ask the referees to send the letters of recommendation to:
German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD)
Section ST43/DLR
Kennedyallee 50
53175 Bonn
Germany
German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD)
Section ST43/DLR
Kennedyallee 50
53175 Bonn
Germany
Please note
- The application documents remain with the DAAD. Data relating to applicants is saved by the DAAD in accordance with the Federal Data Protection Act and the EU Data Protection Regulation insofar as this data is needed to process the application.
- Please be aware that only complete applications will be accepted. Applicants are responsible for their applications' completeness.
Information and advisory centres
Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst
German Academic Exchange Service
Section ST43 – Research Fellowship Programmes
Kennedyallee 50
53175 Bonn
Ms Katrin Bußmeier
E-Mail: dlr-daad-program@daad.de
German Academic Exchange Service
Section ST43 – Research Fellowship Programmes
Kennedyallee 50
53175 Bonn
Ms Katrin Bußmeier
E-Mail: dlr-daad-program@daad.de
General information on the application via DAAD portal
Click on ‘Application portal’ at the bottom of the page to go to the DAAD portal. There you will be provided with an online application form to enter your application data.
This is what you have to do:
1. Register in the DAAD portal (Read notes about registering in the portal >>)
2. Request recommendation form
You can generate the recommendation form in the DAAD portal as a writable PDF under 'Request recommendation form'. Please send it to your referee and ask him or her to complete the form in full. The letter of recommendation can be submitted digitally by the referees via the reference database. Provide your referee the link to the reference database or application address (see tab 'Application procedure' under 'Application address') so that he/she can send the letter of recommendation directly to the DAAD.
Please note that the form for completion by a referee can only be generated during the application period. Please generate one form for each referee.
The document is confidential and may not be viewed by the applicant!
3. Applying online in the DAAD portal (Read notes on applying in the portal >>)
Please note:
If you have any technical questions or problems your local information and advice centres could not help you with, please do not hesitate to contact portal@daad.de via e-mail.
You can also call the technical portal hotline on weekdays from 9-12 and 14-16 (CET/CEST) on +49 (0) 228 882-8888.
Please consider possible processing times of your request when you are planning your application.
This is what you have to do:
1. Register in the DAAD portal (Read notes about registering in the portal >>)
2. Request recommendation form
You can generate the recommendation form in the DAAD portal as a writable PDF under 'Request recommendation form'. Please send it to your referee and ask him or her to complete the form in full. The letter of recommendation can be submitted digitally by the referees via the reference database. Provide your referee the link to the reference database or application address (see tab 'Application procedure' under 'Application address') so that he/she can send the letter of recommendation directly to the DAAD.
Please note that the form for completion by a referee can only be generated during the application period. Please generate one form for each referee.
The document is confidential and may not be viewed by the applicant!
3. Applying online in the DAAD portal (Read notes on applying in the portal >>)
- Prepare application documents
- If necessary, translate documents (unless they are already in German or English).
- Scan paper documents and save in PDF format. You can only upload PDF files to the portal.
- Fill out the application form and upload the application documents to the portal in PDF format. Translations, if applicable, should be uploaded together with the document issued in the original language.
- Submit the application online.
Please note:
If you have any technical questions or problems your local information and advice centres could not help you with, please do not hesitate to contact portal@daad.de via e-mail.
You can also call the technical portal hotline on weekdays from 9-12 and 14-16 (CET/CEST) on +49 (0) 228 882-8888.
Please consider possible processing times of your request when you are planning your application.
