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Introduction to the DAAD PRIME Fellowship 2026
If you’re a highly skilled postdoctoral researcher with a desire to advance your international career while gaining experience in Germany, the DAAD PRIME Fellowship 2026 is a golden opportunity. This prestigious program offers researchers from all disciplines and nationalities a unique chance to conduct research abroad and in Germany, fully funded and structured as a salaried position.
Unlike traditional grants, the PRIME Fellowship provides full employment, enabling researchers to focus solely on impactful scientific inquiry and collaboration.
About the DAAD PRIME Fellowship 2026
The Postdoctoral Researchers International Mobility Experience (PRIME) is an initiative by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), co-financed by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) and the European Union. It allows postdocs to spend 12 months conducting research abroad, followed by 6 months at a German institution, offering a total of 18 months of structured and funded research.
This program is unique in that it provides employment opportunities rather than scholarships, supporting mobility, professional growth, and international collaboration.
Eligible Fields
The DAAD PRIME Fellowship supports research in all academic disciplines.
Whether you specialize in natural sciences, engineering, social sciences, humanities, health, or arts, this fellowship is open to your area of study.
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must meet the following conditions:
- Must have completed their PhD before the fellowship starts.
- Can be of any nationality.
- Must not have spent more than 12 months in the host country abroad during the last 3 years.
- Must have the agreement of a host institution abroad and a German institution willing to employ them for the full 18-month period.
- Must have proof of research compatibility with the selected institutions.
Selection Criteria
Selection is based on:
- Academic excellence and research record
- Feasibility and relevance of the proposed project
- The potential for international collaboration
- Institutional support and compatibility with host institutions
- Contribution to DAAD’s goals of international mobility and German research visibility
Shortlisted applicants will be invited to an interview. Final selection will take place in February 2026.
Eligible Countries
Open to researchers of all nationalities. Applicants can choose any country for the international phase of their research, provided they haven’t spent more than a year there in the last 3 years.
Required Documents
To apply, you will need:
- A detailed research proposal
- CV and publication list
- Confirmation letters from both the German and foreign host institutions
- Proof of PhD completion
- Language proficiency (if applicable)
- Letters of recommendation (if required)
Benefits of the DAAD PRIME Fellowship 2026
This fellowship offers substantial support, including:
- Full-time employment contract at a German university for 18 months
- Basic salary according to the German public service scale
- International allowance
- Travel support for the fellow and accompanying family
- Health insurance and social security benefits
- Orientation seminar before the research begins
How to Apply for the DAAD PRIME Fellowship 2026
- Visit the Application Portal: Access the official DAAD PRIME application via the DAAD funding database.
- Search for “PRIME” under the program options.
- Choose your subject (Fachrichtung) and host country (Zielland).
- Select status: “Programme für: Promovierte.”
- Register and fill out the form in English.
- Upload all required documents.
- Submit before the deadline: 29 August 2025.
For technical assistance, applicants are encouraged to read the registration instructions carefully and contact the DAAD portal support if needed.
CLICK HERE TO APPLY
See also:
Tokyo University Amgen Scholars Program 2025: Apply Now!
The Letten Prize 2025 for Researchers: Apply Now!
World Trade Organization Internship Program 2025
Apply for the $5,000 Pathways Access Scholarship
