DAAD (German Academic Exchange Program)

The Deutscher Akademischer AustauschDienst (German Academic Exchange Service) - DAAD - is a joint organization of the institutions of higher education in the Federal Republic of Germany. The University of Minnesota and the DAAD have an exchange relationship, whereby DAAD permits the University of Minnesota to nominate graduate students and post-doctoral researchers (those who have not yet exceeded two years past the completion of their PhD) for ten months of research at a German university.

Applications are available at from the DAAD website.

Please notify the Graduate School Fellowship Office of your intent to apply for DAAD by August 24, 2009: DAAD Intent to Apply

Campus Application Deadline: September 9, 2009.

Eligibility:

Applicants must be U.S. or Canadian citizens who are Registered in the University of Minnesota Graduate School at the time of application (or are employed as post-docs.) Foreign nationals, except German citizens, may apply if they have been full-time graduate students at the University of Minnesota for more than one year at the time of application. Perference is given to students 32 years of age and younger. Candidates must demonstrate language proficiency commensurate with their proposed study project. A minimum of two years of college-level German, or its equivalent, at the time of application is required for students planning to enroll at a German university.

Application:

(consists of the following in triplicate)

• Application form.
• A well-defined research project that makes a stay in the Federal Republic of Germany essential.
• Letter of invitation from a faculty member at a German university, institute, or laboratory.
• Detailed resume.
• Two letters of recommendation, printed on university letterhead, from professors at North American institutions in the applicant's field of study.
• DAAD language certificate signed by a faculty member of the German Department at the applicant's institution.
• Complete, official transcripts of all post-secondary studies.

Stipend and Allowance:

Monthly stipends range from €795 to €975, depending on the student's level of academic achievement. Additional allowances are provided for excess baggage charges, start-up costs and books. Round-trip airfare and medical insurance are also covered.

Selection Criteria:

Selection criteria are based on (1) a record of outstanding academic achievement, (2) a clearly defined research proposal and the necessity for conducting the research in Germany, (3) language proficiency.

Application Procedure:

Campus interviews are conducted in late September / early October. Final selection is made by the DAAD.

DAAD Web Site