VCU Honors College

Deutscher Akademischer Austausch Dienst (German Academic Exchange Service)

Web site: www.daad.org

Grants for undergraduate study and research in Germany

• Undergraduate scholarship opportunities
• University summer course grant
• German studies research grant
• EMGIP Bundestag Internship
• Research Internships in Science and Engineering
• Study and Internship Program in Germany

Undergraduate scholarship opportunities

Highly qualified undergraduate students are invited to apply for scholarships funding study, thesis research and internships in Germany that are either independently designed or part of organized programs. Scholarships may be granted for a period of four to 10 months. Recipients will be awarded a monthly stipend of approximately 615€, as well as additional funds to help defray travel, health insurance and start-up costs.

Requirements:

• Sophomores and juniors in all academic fields are eligible to apply.
• Applicants should be able to receive academic credit at their home institutions for their activity in Germany.
• Applicants must submit a DAAD language evaluation form, although German language competency is not mandatory.
• Applicants should demonstrate an interest in Germany and explain how their time there will impact their future academic or professional goals.

For more information, visit the undergraduate scholarship Web site.

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University summer course grant

Scholarships are available for a broad range of three- to four-week summer courses taught in German at German universities that focus mainly on literary, cultural, political and economic aspects of modern and contemporary Germany. Extensive extracurricular programs complement and reinforce the core material. The scholarship is approximately 615€, which covers tuition, room and board, in whole or in part. Accommodations are arranged by the host institution. In addition, DAAD will provide an international travel subsidy of 363 to 463€.

Requirements:

• There are no restrictions as to field of study, but applicants must have attained at least junior standing at the time of applications.
• Applicants must have completed a minimum of four semesters of college German, or have obtained an equivalent level of language proficiency elsewhere, so that they will be able to participate in group projects and follow lectures in German.
• Applicants will be assessed on the basis of their academic records and personal statements.
• Demonstrated interest in Germany and Europe or the need to learn the German language for professional or academic purposes will also be taken into consideration.

Scholarship recipients are expected to devote their full attention to the course and may not concurrently undertake individual research. A written report is required within four weeks of the end of the course.

For more information, visit the summer course grant Web site.

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German studies research grant

Up to five German studies research grants will be awarded to highly qualified undergraduate and graduate students who are nominated by their department or program chairs. The grants may be used for short-term research of one to two months in either North America or Germany. The program is designed to encourage research and promote the study of cultural, political, historical, economic and social aspects of contemporary German affairs from an inter-and multidisciplinary perspective.

Requirements:

• Undergraduates with at least junior standing pursuing a German Studies major or minor may be nominated for the grant by their department or program chair.
• Candidates are expected to have completed two years of college German and a minimum of three courses in German studies, such as literature, history or politics, at the time of nomination.
• DAAD will announce its decision approximately eight weeks after the deadline.

Terms of award:

• Research support ranging in value from US $1,500 to US $2,500 is available to individual scholarship recipients and is intended to offset living costs during the active research phase.
• Support cannot be provided for stays in German in the context of study abroad programs.

For more information, visit the research grant Web site.

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EMGIP-Bundestag Internship

Émigré Memorial German Internship Program offers internship opportunities for Canadian and U.S. students in the German parliament, the Bundestag. The internships are two months long and will be in positions matching the student’s interests and academic and professional experience.

Requirements:

• Applicants should possess outstanding academic records and personal integrity, should have some knowledge of the German legislative process, and should be comfortable communicating in spoken and written German.
• Participants should be advanced undergraduate or graduate students in fields such as political science, international relations, law, history, economics or German.

For more information, please visit the EMGIP-Bundestag Internship Web site.

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Research Internships in Science and Engineering

DAAD, in cooperation with science organizations in North America and Germany, is pleased to offer summer internships in Germany for Canadian and U.S. undergraduate students in the fields of biology, chemistry, physics, geology and engineering. RISE fellows work directly with doctoral students in research groups at top German universities and institutions and can expect to gain serious hands-on research experience.

Requirements:

• Undergraduate students majoring in a science or engineering field are welcome to apply.
• Applicants must have completed at least two years of undergraduate study. Graduating seniors may apply as long as they can prove they will be enrolled in a graduate program after the internship is over.
• Knowledge of German is not required for most positions but would be helpful for life outside of the laboratory.

Terms of award:

• DAAD will provide a pro-rated monthly stipend of approximately 615€ for any period of six weeks to three months between June and August 2008. The exact dates will be determined by the RISE fellow and supervisor.
• The award includes health, accident and liability insurance.
• The host institution will support the search for reasonably priced housing.

For more information, visit the RISE Web site.

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Study and Internship Program in Germany

This new program run jointly by German Universities of Applied Sciences and DAAD provides students the opportunity to study for a full semester together with German and international students at one of Germany’s leading universities of applied sciences followed by a six-month hands-on, professional internship experience in a company or research institute in Germany where the student can apply his or her academic and professional skills. Students in the fields of engineering, computer science, science, life sciences, business, management, economics, architecture, art and design, social work, or journalism are welcome to apply.

Terms of award:

• Recipients are awarded a monthly stipend of approximately 675€ during the six months of university study. An 850€ contribution towards travel expenses is included as well. Health, accident and liability insurance are covered for the duration of the program. During the internship program, recipients will be paid a minimum of 500€ per month by the company or research institute to help cover their monthly living expenses.

For more information, visit the program Web site.

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Graduate scholarship opportunities

• Study scholarship
• University summer course grant
• Study scholarship for artists and musicians
• Research grant
• German studies research grant
• Intensive language courses in Germany
• EMGIP-Bundestag Internship
• Research Internships in Science Engineering

Study scholarship

Study scholarships provide highly qualified individuals with an opportunity to do independent study in German or to complete a full master’s degree. German universities offer attractive graduate programs — in both English and German — in a wide variety of fields.

Requirements:

• Graduating seniors, recent graduates and graduate students early in their academic or professional careers in all academic fields are welcome to apply. For study in the fields of medicine and dentistry, please contact the DAAD New York Office. Applicants in the arts, humanities and social sciences should have a very good command of German.
• Applicants for master’s programs should either be admitted to a German host institution for the desired degree course or able to prove that they have established contact with a host institution.
• Study proposals should explain why a particular program has been chosen and how it will further the applicant’s educational and career goals. Applicants for independent study in Germany are expected to have a well-defined study or research project that makes study in Germany essential and should have an invitation from an academic partner at a German university or research institution. They are also required to complete two courses per semester and obtain “Scheine” for them.

Terms of award:

• Scholarships are granted for one academic year, or 10 months, and must take place during the German academic year. Students enrolling in master’s degree programs will be eligible for a one-year extension in order to complete a full-degree course.
• Monthly stipends are 715€ depending on the level of academic achievement. DAAD will also cover health insurance and will provide a stipend to defray travel costs.
• A very limited number of scholarship recipients may be awarded an additional two-month intensive language course grant. This language grant is decided upon by the independent selection committee and does not require a separate application.

For more information, visit the graduate study scholarship Web site.

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University summer course grant

Scholarships are available for a broad range of three- to four-week summer courses taught in German at German universities that focus mainly on literary, cultural, political and economic aspects of modern and contemporary Germany. Extensive extracurricular programs complement and reinforce the core material.

Requirements:

• There are no restrictions as to field of study, but applicants must have attained at least junior standing at the time of applications. Applicants must have completed a minimum of four semesters of college German, or have obtained an equivalent level of language proficiency elsewhere, so that they will be able to participate in group projects and follow lectures in German.
• Applicants will be assessed on the basis of their academic records and personal statements. Demonstrated interest in Germany and Europe or the need to learn the German language for professional or academic purposes will also be taken into consideration.
• Scholarships are available for courses taught in German lasting a minimum of three weeks. The scholarship is approximately 615€, which covers tuition, room and board, in whole or in part.
• Accommodations are arranged by the host institution. In addition, DAAD will provide an international travel subsidy of 363 to 463€.
• Scholarship recipients are expected to devote their full attention to the course and many not concurrently undertake individual research. A written report is required within four weeks of the end of the course.

For more information, visit the summer course Web site.

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Study scholarship for artists and musicians

These scholarships aim to provide highly qualified students in the fields of fine art, design, film, music, choreography and architecture with an opportunity to complete a course of additional studies, with or without earning a formal degree, at a German institute of higher education.

Requirements:

• Scholarships are awarded to applicants who have concluded their studies in their home country with an appropriate degree and who have, as a rule, exhausted all training possibilities there.

Terms of award:

• Scholarships are granted for one academic year, or 10 months, with the possibility of an extension. Scholarships must take place during the German academic year of Oct. 1, 2008 to July 31, 2009. The monthly stipend is approximately 715€ and DAAD will provide a stipend to defray travel costs.
• Limited funds are available for a rent subsidy and family allowance.

For more information, visit the artist and musician scholarship Web site.

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Research grant

Research grants are awarded primarily to highly qualified Ph.D. candidates who are early in their academic or professional careers, or to individuals wishing to earn a doctoral degree in Germany. Funding may also be granted to recent Ph.D. graduates who would like to conduct research in Germany.

Requirements:

• Applicants in all academic fields are welcome to apply. For medicine or dentistry, please contact DAAD New York. Applicants in the arts, humanities and social sciences should have a very good command of German.
• Applicants are expected to have a well-defined study or research project that makes a stay in Germany essential, and should have an invitation to a German university or research institution to pursue their project.

Terms of award:

• Grants are awarded for one to 10 months, but in exceptional cases, 10-month grants may be extended. Ten-month grants must take place during the German academic year. Short-term grants of one to six months are available.
• A very limited number of grant holders who receive grants for seven months or longer may be awarded an additional grant to complete a two-month language course. The language grant does not require a separate application.
• Monthly stipends are approximately 975€.
• DAAD will cover health insurance and provide a stipend to defray travel costs. Limited funds are also available for a rent subsidy and family allowance.

For more information, visit the research grant Web site.

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German studies research grant

Up to five German studies research grants will be awarded to highly qualified undergraduate and graduate students who are nominated by their department or program chairs. These grants may be used for short-term research of one to two months in either North America or Germany. The program is designed to encourage research and promote the study of cultural, political, historical, economic and social aspects of modern and contemporary German affairs from an inter- and multidisciplinary perspective.

Terms of award:

• Research support ranging in value from $1,500 to $2,500 is available to individual scholarship recipients and is intended to offset living and travel costs during the active research phase.
• Support cannot be provided for stays in Germany in the context of study abroad programs.

For more information, visit the research grant Web site.

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Intensive language courses in Germany

DAAD offers grants to graduate students to attend eight-week intensive language courses at leading institutes in Germany. Detailed descriptions of the institutes, their teaching philosophies and course content, as well as course dates area available on their Web sites:

• Goethe-Institute
• S + W speak + write
• did deutsch-institut
• Carl Duisburg Centren
• InterDaf Leipzig

Requirements:

• Scholarships are awarded to full-time graduate students in any field of study except English, German or any other modern language or literature.
• Applicants must have completed three semesters of college German or have achieved an equivalent level of language proficiency.

Terms of award:

• DAAD will consider individual placement preferences, but grantees must accept DAAD’s final decision regarding time and place.
• Courses can be taken between June and January of the following year. The scholarship of approximately 2,650€ includes tuition, accommodations that are arranged by the host institute and a cash allowance, depending on the choice of location and accommodations.
• DAAD will provide health and accident insurance, as well as a travel subsidy of 210€.
• Scholarship recipients are expected to devote their full attention to the course and may not concurrently undertake individual research.
• A written report is requested within four weeks of the end of the course.

For more information, visit the language course scholarship Web site.

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EMGIP-Bundestag Internship

Émigré Memorial German Internship Program offers internship opportunities for Canadian and U.S. students in the German parliament, the Bundestag. The internships are two months long and will be in positions matching the student’s interests and academic and professional experience.

Requirements:

• Applicants should possess outstanding academic records and personal integrity, should have some knowledge of the German legislative process, and should be comfortable communicating in spoken and written German.
• Participants should be advanced undergraduate or graduate students in fields such as political science, international relations, law, history, economics or German.

For more information, visit the EMGIP-Bundestag Internship Web site.

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Research Internships in Science Engineering

RISE professional gives graduating seniors, recent graduates, master’s and Ph.D. students in the fields of biology, chemistry, engineering, geology and physics, or other closely related fields, a unique opportunity to gain practical, career-building experience working in a German company for the summer.

Requirements:

• To apply for a RISE professional internship, you must be enrolled at the time of the internship in a master’s or Ph.D. program at a North American university in biology, chemistry, engineering, geology, physics or a closely related field.
• Undergraduates enrolled in North American universities in a relevant field who are RISE alumni or former DAAD scholarship holders are also welcome to apply, as are U.S. or Canadian citizens who have recently graduated or who will graduate from a North American University.
• German language requirements depend on the nature of the internship. Some require at least an intermediate level of German language skills, while others require none at all.

Terms of award:

• DAAD will provide a monthly scholarship of 315€ for undergraduates and 415€ for graduates. The host companies will contribute an additional stipend of 300€ per month.
• DAAD will provide health insurance and accident and personal/private liability insurance.
• The scholarship does not cover international travel costs.
• Funding is possible for a period of six weeks to four months, pro-rated depending on length of stay, between May and September 2008. For recent graduates the duration of the internship may not exceed three months.

For more information, visit the RISE Web site.

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