Starting today, the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) is offering a new funding programme called "Academic Horizons – Attracting Global Minds". It supports German universities in attracting young international talent to Germany for master's degree and doctoral programmes in key technologies. The Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR) is funding the programme as part of its "Global Minds Initiative". Around 15 million euros will be available until 2029. Universities can apply from today on.

It is crucial for Germany's future and competitiveness to attract outstanding young people from all over the world to our higher education institutions for master's degree and doctoral programmes in key technologies. With 'Academic Horizons', we support our member higher education institutions in specifically targeting these international talents, bringing them to Germany and providing them with good support here. The programme is our contribution to the German government's 'Global Minds Initiative'. In this way, we are also supporting the German government's high-tech agenda," emphasised DAAD President Prof. Dr. Joybrato Mukherjee.

The programme is aimed at international students and young researchers who are studying or conducting research at a master's degree or doctoral level in key technologies such as artificial intelligence, quantum technology and technologies for climate-neutral mobility. The higher education institutions are to develop targeted recruitment strategies for their recruitment and set up structured support services to facilitate entry into study and research in Germany. In addition, "Academic Horizons" promotes career opportunities at higher education institutions that prepare international talents for starting their careers in Germany.

The call for proposals has been available in the DAAD programme database since 1 October and will run until spring 2026; a total of up to 20 German higher education institutions can participate in the programme. Each selected higher education institution will receive funding of up to €750,000 until 2029. The programmes at the higher education institutions are scheduled to start in May 2026.