Are you looking for possibilities to fund a study or research stay in Germany?
The DAAD is Germany's largest scholarship-awarding organisation and runs several programs to support academic exchange between Germany and all parts of the world. These programs range from short-term exchanges for research or teaching purposes to doctoral scholarships lasting several years. The scholarships offered by the DAAD are awarded to younger university graduates from all academic disciplines as well as from the fields of music and art. Support is also available for young academics and scientists, university teachers and groups completing study visits under the guidance of a university teacher. This support is largely financed from public funds made available by the German Federal Foreign Office.
The following scholarship programs were designed especially for Australian students and academics. You will find more detailed information on scholarships and funding via the links below, on the DAAD scholarship search engine and in our scholarship flyer. In addition, the scholarship flyer lists a host of external scholarship opportunities provided by other institutions, so it's worth checking out even if our scholarships don't suit your particular situation!
Für Deutsche, die Informationen über Förderungsmöglichkeiten für Studium oder Forschung in Australien suchen, haben wir eine Übersicht an Förderungsmöglichkeiten zusammengestellt.
• Applicants are generally expected to be Australian nationals; foreign nationals may be eligible under certain circumstances. You will find more information in our FAQ.
• As a rule, study beginners cannot be considered for support.
• Applicants who have been resident in Germany for longer than fifteen months at the time of application cannot be considered as the scholarships aim to foster exchange.
• Please keep in mind that the selection process for most scholarships takes a long time, so planning more than one year in advance may be required. Check the info for your chosen scholarship program for details.
• Generally, applicants should have received their last degree no longer than six years before the application deadline. Ph.D. students should have started their Ph.D. no longer than three years before the application deadline. Applicants with a Ph.D. applying for a research grant of over 6 months should have finished their Ph.D. no more than two years prior to the application deadline. Applicants with a Ph.D. applying for a short stay (up to six months) should have finished their Ph.D. no more than four years prior to the application deadline.
• DAAD scholarship recipients for a stay over 6 months are entitled to a funded language course in Germany of 2 (up to 6) months before beginning their actual studies / research. Alternatively they can participate in DUO (Deutsch-Uni Online, a platform for German language courses) at no cost (registration at www.deutsch-uni.com/daad).
Attending a course is usually very helpful for situations outside the study/research context as well as in making friends. Scholarship recipients who will study or conduct research in English only may also attend a funded language course should they wish to do so. The fact that no knowledge of German is required for their proposed study/research will not diminish their chances of receiving funding for a language course; at the same time, deciding not to participate in a course will have no negative consequences in any way.
• Scholarship holders attending university courses that are held in German are required to take an initial language test. These may be tests devised by their university (DSH) or a Goethe-Institut test (KDS, GDS) as well as the international and standardised TestDaF (www.testdaf.de)
• Please note that if you are receiving other funds or scholarship(s) for the period you are applying for, you are obliged to note this on the application form and that these will be taken into account when deciding how much funding you will be granted. In some cases where your current scholarship pays more than the DAAD scholarship, this may mean that you will only receive e.g. a travel allowance or health insurance, but no living allowance. However, you will still be a DAAD scholarship holder and join the ranks of DAAD alumni, including all alumni benefits such as contacts within the DAAD network, invitations to alumni meetings, a special re-invitation program for former one-year scholarship holders and more.
• Detailed information on what application papers need to be submitted can be found in our Application Packs. You will find them on the relevant scholarship pages below. For programmes that don't have an application pack yet, links to the relevant forms are provided instead.
• We have also put together an FAQ. The FAQ is also available as a pdf for download. Please note that the FAQ is also included in the application packs where required.
Deutschlandkundlicher Hochschulwinterkurs
(University Winter Course Grants)
In co-operation with the DAAD, the Universities of Freiburg, Leipzig, Duisburg-Essen and the IIK Duesseldorf offer a "Deutschlandkundlicher Winterkurs" lasting 6 weeks. The program is designed for bachelor, master and PhD students with a sound knowledge of German and some background in German Studies who are interested in improving their language skills and understanding of contemporary affairs.
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Encounter Europe – Visit Germany
In co-operation with the ASKO Europa Stiftung (AES) and other renowned partners in Germany and Australia, the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) is offering scholarships for a two-week course dealing with a variety of issues regarding the European Union. Two weeks full of exciting opportunities for students – from the fields of law, politics, international relations, European studies or similar subjects – wanting to improve their
understanding of contemporary European affairs and legislative regulations, organised by the European Academy Otzenhausen, the University of New England and the DAAD.
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Please note that our One-Semester Scholarships for University Students Reading German Studies are no longer available!
Study Scholarships for Graduates of All Disciplines
Graduates of all disciplines can apply for a scholarship to complete a postgraduate or Master's degree course at a German higher education institution and to gain a degree in Germany (Master's/Diplom).
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Research Grants for Doctoral Candidates, Young Academics and Scientists
Research grants provide young academics and scientists with an opportunity to carry out a research project or a course of continuing education at a German university or non-university research institute.
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Leibniz-DAAD Research Fellowship Program
With the Leibniz DAAD Research Fellowship Program, up to 15 excellent international post-docs can conduct research for one year at one of the 87 Institutes of the Leibniz Association of their choice.
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DLR-DAAD Research Fellowships in the fields of Space, Aeronautics, Energy and Transportation Research
In collaboration with the DAAD, this program by the ‘Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt’ (DLR), Germany's national research center for aeronautics and space, offers outstanding scientists and researchers the opportunity to conduct one to 36 months of research at the institutes of the DLR in Germany.
Study Visits to Germany for Groups of Foreign Students
The study visits program aims to help foreign students, visiting Germany under the guidance of a lecturer, make contacts in their specific academic field and gain a knowledge of Germany.
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Scholarship Program for Artists and Architects
Study scholarships aim to provide foreign applicants from the fields of
Fine Art, Design, Film, Music, Architecture as well as Performing Arts (Drama, Direction, Dance, Choreography, etc.)
with an opportunity to complete a course of extension studies at a state institution of higher education in Germany, without gaining a formal degree or qualification.
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Artists in Berlin Program
This residential program for international artists of all countries and all ages is one of the most internationally renowned scholarship programs. A jury annually selects approximately 20 international guests.
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Practical Traineeship for Foreign Students of Natural and Technical Sciences, Agriculture and Forestry
Practical training placements for students of the above mentioned subjects are arranged by the International Association for the Exchange of Students for Technical Experience (IAESTE).
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Research Stays for University Academics and Scientists
These grants and scholarships aim to provide foreign academics and scientists working in higher education or at research institutes with an opportunity to carry out a research project at a state (public) or state-recognised higher education institution or non-university research institute in Germany.
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Research Stays for Go8 Researchers – Group of Eight Australia – Germany Joint Research Co-operation Scheme
The scheme aims to foster research collaborations between researchers from Go8 universities and German researchers by supporting exchanges between Australian and German researchers.
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Visiting Lectureships / Professorships Program
The program aims to enable foreign academics on longer term visiting lectureships or professorships to teach at universities in Germany, at the same time acting as important disseminators who enable their German host university to deepen and develop its international relations and who help to encourage foreign students to study in Germany. Teaching in English will be very much appreciated!
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Re-Invitation Program for Former Scholarship Holders
To maintain contacts, the following former DAAD scholarship holders can apply for a re-invitation: One-year scholarship holders, study scholarship holders, research grant holders with a scholarship/grant lasting more than six months as well as scholarship holders who studied in East Germany (DDR) for at least one year. The stay aims to enable the holder to carry out a research project or another project at a public or state-recognised higher education institution or non-university research institution.
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RISE worldwide – Get a Research Intern from Germany!
Research groups, laboratories and doctoral students can apply to host a motivated and well-qualified student from Germany as a research intern to assist in research and lab work in the fields of biology, chemistry, physics, earth sciences, engineering, or a closely related field. Interns receive a DAAD scholarship consisting of a monthly allowance, a travel subsidy as well as health, accident and personal liability insurance.
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