GERMANY: Bilateral Exchange of Academics

The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) awards funding for a research stay of 14 days to 3 months at any Germany university to university lecturers, experienced academics, or scientists who are active in university and research spaces in their home country. 

The programme funds exchanges between scientists and researchers from Germany and partner countries. In the implementation of the bilateral programme, care is taken to ensure equal exchanges in both directions.

Detailed information about the Bilateral Exchange of Academics can be found at: Bilateral Exchange of Academics

Degree Level

Research Grants

Deadline

Applications can be made at any time but at least 3 months prior to the planned research stay.

Who can apply?

• Candidates who hold a PhD degree;
• Applicants must be employed as university lectures, established academics, or scientists at a university or research institute in their home country;
• The research project must be coordinated with the date and purpose of your stay in advance with your host institution in Germany. 

Fields of Study

The research grant can be taken up for all fields.

Scholarship Benefits

Your research stay should last at least 14 days up to a maximum of three months. Please indicate in your application form how long you wish to receive funding. 

The scholarship covers living costs and travel for the grant holder.

• Monthly scholarship payment for living costs,

              - 2000 EUR for assistant teachers, assistant professors and lecturers;

              - 2150 EUR for professors.

• Unless otherwise regulated by bilateral agreements, the costs of the outward and return journey are borne by the respective sending country;
• In the case of a disability or chronic illness: subsidy for additional costs which result from the disability or chronic illness and are not covered by other funding providers;
• Green Mobility Top Up (Support for climate-friendly travel) or partial reimbursement of carbon offset payments for air travel.

Please note: Health insurance coverage is mandatory in Germany. If you do not have a corresponding home health insurance, you will be insured by the DAAD. The costs will be deducted from the scholarship payment.

Application Process

The DAAD funding application is online through the DAAD application portal. For more information, see the notes on applying on the portal.

Documents to be uploaded to the DAAD portal:

• Online application form;
• Full curriculum vitae in tabular form (max. 3 pages);
• List of academic publications (max. 3 pages);
• Comprehensive statement about research project (max. 10 pages). Please also read important information for scholarship applicants / section B, point 2;
• Time plan for your planned research visit (please also name the host institute(s) and academic hosts);
• Written confirmation from your host (informal) about the academic cooperation that must refer to your proposal and guarantee that the host institute in Germany will provide you with a workplace; and
• Invitation letter for the German counterpart from the host university. The German counterpart should apply unter the following link: Bilateral Exchange of Academics.

Contact

The DAAD Information Centre Johannesburg can be contacted for support, advice and information:

Email: daad@wits.ac.za

Documents and Links

Doing a PhD and Research in Germany

Research in Germany

GERiT – German Research Institutions

Important information for DAAD scholarship applicants

Note

Please note that this opportunity is not offered by the Department of Higher Education and Training. Applicants are required to undertake their own research into programmes and institutions and are responsible for ensuring that the qualifications will be recognised in South Africa by contacting the South African Qualifications Authority and the relevant professional bodies. If there are any discrepancies in the details provided, the information given by the sponsor supersedes the details provided above. No additional financial support will be provided by the Department of Higher Education and Training.