Fellowship Program, Gottlieb-Daimler- and Karl Benz-Foundation

A period of study or traineeship at aforeign research institution is likely to represent an importantmilestone in the career of a young scientist. With its fellowshipprogram the foundation offers both German and foreign PhD students thechance to get acquainted with a different scientific system and to pavethe way, through successful scientific cooperation, for long-lastingrelationships.

To promote the research efforts of German PhD students abroad as wellas of foreign PhD students at German research institutions thefoundation awards fellowships. The program is open to all disciplines,topics and countries. Applicants are required to provide their ownresearch project and to be affiliated to some scientific institution inthe host country. The work conditions have to be clarified with thehosting institution before applying for the fellowship.

On the basis of the written applications a first selection is made. Theselected applicants are invited to a seminar in Ladenburg, where theypresent their research projects to experts and other applicants. Thispresentation does not serve the purpose of reaching a final decision onthe eligibility of the proposed research projects; it also offers allthe participants a chance to meet and to discuss content aspects oftheir respective projects.

The written documentations and the presentation are the major criteria for the final decisions.

The fellowships are meant to promote young scientists; only individuals - and not projects - can apply for them.

Eligible are German students who are going to stay abroad in thecontext of their PhD research, as well as foreign students who areintending to do research for their PhD thesis at German institutions.

The majority of fellowship holders go abroad.

The age limit is 30. Candidates should have graduated (Diplom or Master degree) within the last year before the application.

Candidates who have studied predominantly abroad cannot apply. Purefieldwork, visits of archives, pursuit of postdoctoral qualification,of Diplom or Master's theses, courses of further studies as well asuniversity courses abroad and internships are all not eligible for thefoundation's Fellowship Program. PhD theses in medicine will only besupported if the candidate is able to prove extensive experimentalexpertise.

The fellowship is designed to cover the living costs in the hostcountry. The Foundation does not cover tuition fees, funds formaterials and supporting staff, costs for stays in the home country oroutside of the host institution or travel costs within the researchproject.

The Fellowship Program currently pays the following stipends:
Euro 970 for foreign applicants doing their PhD degree in Germany
Euro 1025-1300 for German applicants doing their PhD in other Europeancountries (depending on the cost of living in the host country)
Euro 1300 for German applicants doing their PhD in USA
The rates for the other countries depend on the respective costs of living.

In addition, German postgraduates receive a lump sum for books,materials and travel costs to the host country of 160 Euro (Europeancountries) and 510 Euro (overseas) respectively. If necessary, theFoundation can provide support for a German language course for foreignfellowship holders. Partial financing (up to 50%) can be requested fromthe Foundation up to twice a year for the participation in conferences,if the fellowship holder is presenting a paper. Furthermore travelallowances will be provided for the participation in events organisedby the Foundation and in the annual fellowship holder meeting.

The duration of stipends may vary according to the requirements of theresearch projects; it will not exceed two years of support, however.

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