The DAAD PRIME Fellowship Program, sponsored by the German Academic Exchange Service, is a highly competitive funding program for postdocs (PhD) who plan their professional career in Germany. Applicants with above-average qualifications from all faculties may apply. There are no restrictions regarding nationality and current residency.
About The DAAD PRIME Fellowship Program
The DAAD PRIME Fellowship supports the international mobility of postdoctoral researchers with temporary positions at German universities. The program is funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) and includes a mandatory return phase for reintegration into the German science system. Its goal is to provide participants with qualifications for a continued career in science.
The program is specifically for postdoctoral researchers who intend to pursue long-term careers in Germany. It provides funding for independent research stays abroad, based on temporary employment at a German university, for postdocs with long-term career perspectives in Germany.
The program offers full funding that covers an annual salary of up to €80,000. The program also covers the expenses of travel, accommodation, and dependents if they accompany the fellow abroad for more than one month.
Which Fields are Eligible?
All fields
Type:
Fully funded
Who can Apply The DAAD PRIME Fellowship Program
International students who want to pursue their PhD programs in Germany.
How are Applicants Selected?
Applicants must meet the following eligibility requirements to be eligible for the DAAD Prime Fellowship program:
- Applicants with above-average qualifications from all faculties may apply.
- Applicants can be from any nationality
- Applicants must accept that the research stay abroad and the return phase to Germany are both mandatory parts of the program.
- Also, applicants living abroad are to state their intent to continue their research careers in Germany upon completion of the return phase.
- Applicants who already have a permanent employment contract with the prospective host institution for the intended research activity are not eligible for funding.
- Again, you may apply up to six years after the (first) doctorate.
- They must have completed their doctorate with excellent results before the start of funding.
Which Countries Are Eligible?
All countries
Where will the Award be Taken?
Germany
How Many Awards?
Not specified
Recommended: DAAD EPOS Germany Fully Funded Scholarship
What is the Benefit of the DAAD PRIME Fellowship Program
The DAAD will conclude a grant agreement with the respective German universities 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 (€70,000 – 80,000). Your exact pay is determined by the universities based on your previous work experience.
- Expatriate allowance: A 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 and children are also eligible if they accompany the fellow for at least one month during the research stay abroad.
Furthermore, DAAD provides funding for an 18-month employment contract at a German university to conduct a 12-month research stay abroad with a 6-month subsequent return phase to Germany. During your 12 months abroad, you may combine stays at several research institutions in one or several countries.
How Long Will the Award Last?
12 months
How to Apply DAAD PRIME Fellowship Program in Germany:
Interested and qualified applicants should follow the steps below to apply:
- Click on the button below to visit the DAAD website for the fellowship
- The application form will be available at the DAAD application portal. To get to the portal and click on Stipendiendatenbank für Deutsche
- After your portal registration, you can generate and download the form for the required letter of recommendation.
- After entering the applicant data, all other application documents (including the letter of
- recommendation) may be uploaded to the portal.
- To upload the documents, all attachments must be available as PDF files.
- Also, except for the certificates (see below), all documents must be in English, as the evaluation and selection process is carried out by international reviewers and an international committee.
- Applications that were sent before the deadline can be updated until the deadline.
When is the Application Deadline:
29th August, 2025.
Visit the Award Webpage for more details.
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