DLR

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 center for aeronautics and space. Its extensive research and development work in Aeronautics, Space, Energy, Transport, Digitalisation and Security 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 program 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.

This special programme is intended for highly-qualified foreign graduate, doctoral and postdoctoral students as well as senior scientists from the fields of Aeronautics, Space, Transportation, Energy and Security. DLR-DAAD Fellowships offer outstanding scientists and researchers the opportunity to conduct special research at the institutes of the DLR in Germany.

Please note that within the DLR-DAAD programme, you cannot apply for a university or another institution, only for a DLR institute.

DLR-DAAD Fellowships are defined and awarded on an individual basis. Each Fellowship announcement will indicate the specific qualification requirements and terms of the visit. The current offers are published under DLR-DAAD Fellowships - Current Offers.

Fellowship Types, Duration and Fellowship Value 

Type A

  • Target Group - Graduate Student 
  • Fellowship Goal - Research in Germany 
  • Funding Duration - 9 months 
  • Monthly Instalment - 934 Euros 
  • Possible Additional Payments - e.g. flat-rate travel allowance, rent subsidy, health insurance family allowances 

Type B

  • Target Group - Doctoral Students
  • Fellowship Goal - Doctorate in Germany
  • Funding Duration - 36 months
  • Monthly Instalment - 1,760 Euros
  • Possible Additional Payments - e.g. flat-rate travel allowance, rent subsidy, health insurance, family allowances

Type C

  • Target Group - Postdoctoral Students
  • Fellowship Goal - Research in Germany
  • Funding Duration - 6 to 24 months
  • Monthly Instalment - 2,400 Euros
  • Possible Additional Payments - none

Type D

  • Target Group - Senior Scientists
  • Fellowship Goal - Research in Germany
  • Funding Duration - 1 to 3 months
  • Monthly Instalment - 2,760 Euros
  • Possible Additional Payments - none

Fellowships are always awarded for the length of the research stay in Germany. The host DLR institute and the fellowship candidate will agree upon the length of this term.

Application Requirements

At the time of their application, applicants for a DLR-DAAD Fellowship must

  1. not be of German nationality,
  2. be able to prove their outstanding study or research achievements in the field of research corresponding to the fellowship offer,
  3. 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 must be working in higher education or at a research institute; positions are open to outstandingly-qualified academics and scientists who should generally hold a doctorate/Ph.D., additional prerequisites may differ and are stated in the fellowship offers,
  4. have an excellent knowledge of English; knowledge of German is advantageous.

Application

The application procedure occurs online through the DAAD portal.

Type A: 

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; 
  • 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 enrollment for Master´s programme 
  • Proof of English proficiency 
  • One letter of recommendation from a professor of the applicant´s home institution 
Type B & C:

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, 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 available at the time of application;
  • English language certificate (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.

Documents to be sent to the DAAD application address by post:

Two letters of recommendation, which should be written by senior academics of the applicant´s own choice. The form of the letter of recommendation has to be generated in the DAAD portal in the section "Request reference" after registration and downloaded. Please send the form by e-mail to your referees and ask for the completed reference form to be sent to the application address in Bonn in a sealed envelope. References are confidential and must not be read by the applicant.

The letters of recommendation cannot be accepted in digital form and must be sent by your referees by regular mail to the DAAD head office in Bonn. The letters of recommendation must arrive 4 weeks after the application was uploaded in the DAAD portal at the latest, at the address:

German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD)
Section ST43/DLR
Kennedyallee 50
53175 Bonn
Germany

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.

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.

To apply, please go to the DAAD scholarship database (www.funding-guide.de) and search for DLR. From here, you can enter the portal by clicking the tab "Submitting an application". Please be aware that only complete applications will be accepted. Applicants are responsible for their applications’ completeness.

Important Notice

By applying for a fellowship within the DLR-DAAD Research Fellowships 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.

Contact

Section ST43
German Academic Exchange Service
Postfach 200404
D-53134 Germany

E-mail: dlr-daad-program@daad.de