DAAD Re-invitation Programme for Former Scholarship Holders
DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service)
Application deadline
Check the official page
Overview
The Re-invitation Programme is run by DAAD (the German Academic Exchange Service) and funded by the German Federal Foreign Office. It lets people who once held a DAAD scholarship come back to Germany for a short research or working project, and stay connected to DAAD's worldwide alumni network.
You can apply if you are a former holder of a DAAD research grant or study scholarship and were funded for more than six months by the Federal Foreign Office (or under a programme co-financed with its funds). Former East German scholarship holders who studied in Germany for at least one year can also apply. You must not have lived in Germany for at least three years, and your project must be planned together with a cooperation partner in Germany.
The project can be research or work at a state or state-recognised university or a non-university research institute. If you work outside science, it can be a working stay at an institution in business, administration, culture or media.
Funding runs for one to three months and pays 2,000 euros a month for assistant teachers, assistant professors and lecturers, or 2,150 euros a month for professors, plus a travel allowance. You can use this funding only once in three years.
Applications are made online through the DAAD portal, which opens at least six weeks before the deadline. At the time of writing, the portal is closed. Check the official DAAD page for the next application dates.
At a glance
| Who can apply | PG, PhD |
|---|---|
| Streams | — |
| Category | All |
| Age | — |
| Income limit | — |
| Gender | — |
| States | All India |
| Benefit / amount | Monthly payment of 2,000 euros for assistant teachers, assistant professors and lecturers, or 2,150 euros for professors, plus a travel allowance. People working outside the science sector are paid according to their qualifications. |
| Duration | One to three months. The official page states: "The funding must begin in 2027." |
| Renewable | No |
| Last date | See official page |
| Opened | — |
Documents you'll need
- Online application form
- Full curriculum vitae in tabular form (max. 3 pages)
- List of your published academic publications, if applicable
- Comprehensive statement about the research or working project (max. 10 pages)
- Time schedule and itinerary of the planned research or working visit
- Confirmation from the academic host in Germany that refers to your project and guarantees a workplace at the host institute
- German or English translations of any document submitted in your national language
How you're selected
An independent selection committee reviews the applications. The most important criteria are your academic achievements (and publications, shown in your CV and publication list) and a convincing, well-planned research or work project. For working stays outside the science sector, the committee also looks at whether the stay will have a lasting effect on your professional work, whether it can create multiplier effects such as planned publications, and whether it will strengthen existing cooperations. The committee also gives due consideration to equal opportunities.
FAQs
Who can apply? Only former DAAD scholarship holders. You must have been a holder of a DAAD research grant or study scholarship funded for more than six months by the German Federal Foreign Office (or a programme co-financed with its funds). Former East German scholarship holders who studied in Germany for at least one year can also apply.
Are there any other conditions? Yes. The official page says you must not have lived in Germany for at least three years, and your research or working project must be coordinated with a cooperation partner in Germany.
How much money do I get? A monthly payment of 2,000 euros for assistant teachers, assistant professors and lecturers, or 2,150 euros for professors. A travel allowance is also given, unless your travel is paid by your home country or another funder. If you work outside the science sector, your monthly payment is worked out from your qualifications. Note that health insurance is compulsory in Germany, and if DAAD insures you the cost is deducted from your scholarship.
How long is the funding? One to three months. You say in your application how long you want. The final period is decided by the selection committee. The official page says the funding must begin in 2027.
What is the last date to apply? DAAD has not published a date on this page. It only says that application deadlines are updated every year in the second quarter and are usually around the same time as the previous year. Please check the official DAAD page before you plan your application.
How do I apply? Everything is done online in the DAAD portal. The portal opens at least six weeks before the deadline and disappears once the deadline has passed. You register, fill in the online form, and upload all documents as PDFs. At present the page says you cannot apply yet.
Can I get this scholarship again? The grant is non-renewable, and funding may only be claimed once within three years.