Study and Research at a German University

ELIGIBILITY

American students who will have completed at least a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Sciences degree by the time of arrival in Germany.

A solid academic background and a well-focussed project plus adequate German language proficiency where necessary are essential.

Prerequisites

• U.S. citizenship
• A high level of academic achievement
• A solid application

DESCRIPTION

The program facilitates university study and research for two academic semesters at a German university. The grants usually begin in September. Depending on the academic level of the candidate, he or she may be able to pursue full-time study (graduating seniors) or independent research under the supervision of a German advisor (doctoral candidates). The Commission will arrange for university affiliation and set up academic contacts when necessary.

Several grants are reserved for candidates in the performing arts. Special application procedures for these grants can be obtained from the Institute of International Education.

NUMBER OF GRANTS

Approximately 90 grants are available annually.

GRANT BENEFITS

 Benefits for the full maintenance grant:

• Monthly stipend of currently Euro 750 to Euro 1.000, depending on the candidate's academic background
• An incidental allowance of Euro 250 per semester
• International travel (according to the guidelines set by the Fulbright Commission)
• Current German visa regulations require a valid passport for American grantees traveling to Germany. The Fulbright Commission assists its grantees in applying for a residence permit after arrival.
• Orientation and mid-year meetings
• A host family program at the beginning of grant through the Experiment e.V. program
• Health insurance
• Administrative and academic support through the Fulbright Commission in Germany
• The Fulbright Commission offers intensive language courses (approximately six weeks in duration) in Germany to those grantees whose German language ability is not sufficient at the beginning of the grant to pursue their projects.
• A spouse allowance of Euro 276 per month will be available to married grantees.

Benefits for the travel-only grant:

• This grant category is for candidates with funding from other resources, for instance through the Germanistic Society of America/IIE awards or through direct fellowships from German host institutions.
• The benefits provided by Fulbright are restricted to international travel, orientation and mid-year meetings, and administrative support.

SPECIAL FEATURES

Fulbright Internship Program

The Commission has recently developed an internship program for U.S. student grantees, designed particularly but not exclusive for those in the fields of economics, finance, hard sciences, and law. This program allows grantees to intern with an internationally-oriented company for several months following the academic year. Benefits include maintenance at approximately the regular grant level and health insurance. Further details about this program are distributed to grantees during the course of the grant year.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE & DEADLINES

Applicants still affiliated with a university should consult the Fulbright Program Advisor at their institution for application information and deadline. At-large applicants no longer at a university should contact the Institute of International Education directly.

Applicants should contact their advisor or the IIE in the spring preceding the year in which they wish to study in Germany. (For example, those wishing to apply to begin studying in September 2011 should contact an adviser in the spring of 2010.)

All applications will be reviewed by special selection committees, and grants are awarded in competition and depending on funds available.

 For Applicants in the Performing Fields

Further admission conditions and audition requirements

Contact