About DAAD Postdoctoral Researchers Experience
PRIME funds the international mobility of postdoctoral researchers with temporary positions at German universities.
Postdocs who see their long-term career perspectives in Germany Receive Funding for an independent research stay abroad, based on temporary employment at a German university.
The grant also includes a mandatory return phase for reintegration into the German science system.
The Programme aims to provide participants with an important qualification for a continued career in science.
The target group are postdoctoral researchers who see their long-term professional career in Germany. The Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF)provides the funds for this programme.
Who Can Apply for The DAAD Postdoctoral Researchers?
Applicants of the DAAD Postdoctoral Researchers program with above-average qualifications from all faculties may apply. They must have completed their doctorate with excellent results before the start of funding.
There are no restrictions regarding nationality and current residency. However, depending on nationality and place of residence, restrictions may apply when choosing the destination country for the stay abroad (see application requirements).
What Can Be Funded?
DAAD Postdoctoral Researchers Experience provide funding for an 18-month employment contract at a German university to conduct a 12-month
research abroad with a subsequent return phase to Germany.
During your 12 months abroad, you may combine stays at several research institutions in one or several countries.
Please Indicate all host institutions in the application form.
Duration of Funding For The DAAD Postdoctoral Researchers
DAAD Postdoctoral Researchers International Program provides support for 18 months: the first 12 months are spent abroad, and the remaining 6 months of the return phase are spent in Germany (funding cycle 12+6).
If your science or insurance and residence law requires an alternate schedule, other models may be chosen with approval of DAAD.
Integration into the German social security system is a prerequisite for the research stay abroad, therefore funding may have to begin with a 1-month starting phase in Germany (funding cycle 1+12+5). The
respective local statutory insurance determines your status.
- Support: The DAAD Postdoctoral Researchers will conclude a grant agreement with the respective German university covering the costs for the regular salary and the monthly expatriate allowance.
- Salary: Temporary 18-month employment contract at a German university according to pay scale TV-L EG 13. Your exact pay is determined by the universities based on your previous work experience.
- Expatriate allowance: Monthly expatriate allowance for the research stay abroad is based on an area classification of the destination and the gross income of the fellows.
- Travel allowance: PRIME Fellows receive the DAAD lump sum travel subsidy for postdoctoral scientists. Spouses(either by marriage or according to German law on civil partnerships) and children are also eligible if they accompany the fellow for at least one month during the research stay abroad.
Application And Eligibility Requirements
- Only DAAD Postdoctoral Researchers candidates with an excellent scientific record, including at least one publication (co-authorship is accepted)
- You must have completed your doctorate before the start of funding with excellent marks. If the doctorate is not graded, the decision lies with the DAAD selection committee.
- Applicants must comply with the programme’s mobility rule, i.e., they are free to choose any country (except Germany) as a destination for their research stay abroad, provided they have not resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in that country for more than 12 months.
- To be considered for funding, applicants living abroad are expected to state their intent to continue their research careers in Germany upon completion of the return phase.
Selection process
All applicants receive information on the outcome of the formal eligibility check approximately six weeks after the application deadline.
Our interdisciplinary selection committee decides on the final rating based on the external reviews and generates a ranking list.
Available funds determine the number of successful applicants and reserve candidates.
The selection does not include personal interviews but is based exclusively on the submitted documents.
After the successful candidates have declared acceptance of their fellowships, DAAD Postdoctoral Researchers will notify their German host universities.
Application Documents To be Submitted
- Completed application form
- Curriculum vitae without chronological gaps and in tabular form(please specify the month and duration, e.g.,MM / YY -MM / YY);
- Your career plan(one page max.): Short summary and abstract, a clearly recognizable working title and an indication of keywords.
- A detailed and independently prepared research proposal coordinated with the German and foreign
- Time schedule for the realization of the planned work abroad and in Germany (e.g., Gantt chart)
- Binding declaration from the German host university (form 1,word/pdf)
- Invitation letter from the German host (form 2,word/pdf).
- Invitation letter from the foreign host
- Publication list, categorized according to publications
- Short summary of the doctoral thesis (1-2 pages)
Timeline:
- Announcement of call: May 2024
- Application deadline: 30 August 2024
- Selection result: mid-March 2025
- Orientation seminar for new fellows:Earliest starting date: March/April 2025
- Latest starting date: 01 June2025
- Remark on application documents: 01 November 2025
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