New DAAD funding programmes announced
SDG alumni project: Knowledge and practice for development for Germany alumni from emerging and developing countries
The objectives of the programme are to expand the skills of alumni to solve development-related issues through professional and methodological training, to strengthen alumni involvement in professional networks (regional and supra-regional), to strengthen alumni as multipliers for knowledge transfer and to strengthen alumni's long-term ties to Germany and cooperation with German universities / research institutions and companies. Funding is provided for further training seminars for the professional and technical development of international Germany alumni from emerging and developing countries and participation in re:publica, Europe's largest conference on the digital society, in Berlin in May 2026. The funding is aimed at Germany alumni from emerging and developing countries (DAC countries) with a proven research or study stay in Germany for at least 3 months and who are now generally working abroad again, as well as alumni from DAC countries who have received a scholarship / DAAD funding under the following programmes: Surplace/Third Country Programme (SP/DL), Centres of Expertise Africa, Higher Education Excellence in Development Cooperation - exceed, SDG Research Training Groups, Global Centres for Climate and Health and Health and Pandemic Preparedness.
Application deadline: 13 June 2025
Further information: https://www.daad.de/de/infos-services-fuer-hochschulen/programme-der-projektfoerderung/detail/sdg-alumniprojekt-zur-republica-2026/?pfp-id=57690944
SDG partnerships
The long-term goal of the programme is to contribute to sustainable development in line with the 2030 Agenda, to the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and to the establishment of efficient and cosmopolitan universities in the partner countries. The focus is on the planning, development and implementation of university partnerships between German universities and universities in developing countries and, as a result, the sustainable strengthening of structures at the partner universities. Funding is provided for the development and revision of teaching/learning materials relevant to project implementation, the organisation of events, further and advanced training and project-related stays; the realisation of target group-oriented public relations work and the implementation of relevant research. Researchers, students, graduates, doctoral candidates and administrative staff at universities are eligible for funding.
Application deadline: 13 June 2025
Further information: https://www.daad.de/de/infos-services-fuer-hochschulen/programme-der-projektfoerderung/detail/sdg-partnerschaften/?pfp-id=57599639
African-German Centre for Just Energy Transition (South Africa location)
The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) uses funds from the Federal Foreign Office (AA) to support the "African-German Center for Just Energy Transition (South Africa) - Line A (Capacity Building and Transfer)" funding programme as part of the "African Excellence - Fachzentren Afrika - DAAD" funding programme, which has been funded since 2008.
The funding programme consists of funding lines A and B. They are advertised in parallel. One application must be submitted for each funding line, whereby the overall concept must be presented in the application for funding line A. The Africa Centres of Expertise funding programme supports the development and establishment of (degree) programmes in selected disciplines for the training and further education of specialists and managers for science, society and industry, the creation of research capacities and the networking of research institutions on the African and German sides.
Line A: Capacity building and transfer
As part of the above-mentioned multi-institutional, practice-oriented and transdisciplinary project, Line A aims to establish the structure of the Centre of Expertise for Just Energy Transition. Teaching and capacity building, the development of flexible (training) modules as well as networking and transfer activities are the focus of the education and training of specialists and future decision-makers
The objectives of the funding programme in Line A are:
- Master's students, university lecturers and graduates are (further) educated in specialist, interdisciplinary and methodological terms.
- The (digital) teaching and support services, especially in Master's programmes, are improved at the participating partner universities and other universities in sub-Saharan Africa.
- Innovative and strategic approaches have been developed to ensure the financial, personnel and structural sustainability of the centre.
- The centre works (digitally supported) in networks with relevant African, German and international stakeholders from politics, business, civil society and academia.
Application deadline: 30 June 2025
Further information: https://www.daad.de/de/infos-services-fuer-hochschulen/programme-der-projektfoerderung/detail/fachzentrum-jet-linie-a/?pfp-id=57812202
Line B: Funding for German and African doctoral candidates and postdocs
The aim of the funding programme in Line B is to build up the research component of the centre by funding doctoral candidates and postdocs. Furthermore, smaller research projects are funded as part of the research work. In addition, the funding is intended to establish links to the DIGI-FACE digital platform for overarching research networking. Doctoral scholarships are awarded to African and German doctoral candidates and postdoctoral funding is awarded to African and German doctoral candidates and/or the establishment/filling of postdoctoral positions. Funding is also available for the realisation of smaller research projects or work/strategy sessions for postdocs or as part of the training of doctoral students.
Application deadline: 30 June 2025
Further information: https://www.daad.de/de/infos-services-fuer-hochschulen/programme-der-projektfoerderung/detail/fachzentrum-jet-linie-b/?pfp-id=57812207
Funding for international guest lecturers to teach at German universities
I. Model A (guest lectureships) and Model B (guest chairs)
The programme aims to promote the internationalisation of German universities and strengthen the international dimension in teaching. Visiting international university lecturers from all countries and all subjects are funded.
- "Model A - Guest Lectureships": Preparation, realisation and follow-up of courses by a guest lecturer (duration of stay from three to twelve months). The stay of a currently funded guest lecturer can be extended for a maximum of a further twelve months as part of a new project application (follow-up application).
- "Model B - Guest Chairs": The establishment of a guest chair through the preparation, implementation and follow-up of courses by alternating international guest lecturers (usually 24 months duration; duration of stay of the individual guest lecturers at least three months; change usually after one semester).
II. French guest lectureships to promote degree programmes with a connection to France
The focus is on strengthening the Franco-German exchange of university lecturers and the internationalisation of teaching in degree programmes with a proven connection to France. Funding is available for the preparation, implementation and follow-up of courses taught by individual French lecturers (minimum stay of three to a maximum of six months).
Application deadline: 15 July 2025
Further information: https://www.daad.de/de/infos-services-fuer-hochschulen/programme-der-projektfoerderung/detail/gastdozentenprogramm/?pfp-id=50014795
Project-related exchange of persons programme (with various countries)
The programme focuses on initiating or intensifying binational partnership-based research activities between a German and a foreign university or research institution in order to strengthen academic relations. Special emphasis is placed on the qualification of young academics. The programme promotes mobility and short-term stays for the exchange of project participants from the participating partner institutions, in particular young academics, for research activities in all disciplines. The programme supports graduates (Master's and Master's students), doctoral students, post-doctoral researchers, post-doctoral lecturers and university lecturers. Country-specific conditions apply.
Application deadline: country-specific
Further information: https://www.daad.de/de/infos-services-fuer-hochschulen/programme-der-projektfoerderung/detail/ppp-joint-research-bilateral-collaboration/?pfp-id=57299799
Ta'ziz Partnership Short Measures
The aim of the Ta'ziz short measures is to initiate, intensify, expand and/or consolidate cooperation and knowledge exchange between the participating universities and non-university stakeholders, primarily from Tunisia, Sudan, Lebanon and Iraq, but also Algeria, Egypt, Yemen, Jordan, Libya and Morocco as well as Germany in the areas of teaching, research, university management and/or transfer. Further objectives are the acquisition of (inter-)disciplinary and/or administrative skills by students, teachers, (junior) academics and/or university management staff and the implementation of concepts and/or (knowledge) products for teaching, research and/or reform processes in the field of university management that correspond to the local context and the state of the art. Funding is available for fact-finding missions, the exchange of students and doctoral candidates, teachers, (early career) researchers, professors and/or university management staff as part of a short measure, (digital) events such as further education/training, workshops, summer/winter schools, meetings, conferences and the development of concepts and/or (knowledge) products for teaching, research and/or university management. The involvement of Germany alumnae and alumni is welcomed.
Application deadline: 29 November 2024 for measures between 01.03. and 31.12.2025; 30 May 2025 for measures between 01.09. and 31.12.2025
Further information: https://www.daad.de/de/infos-services-fuer-hochschulen/programme-der-projektfoerderung/detail/taziz-partnerschaft-kurzmassnahmen/?pfp-id=57660897
Information on all DAAD funding programmes: www.daad.de/projektfoerderung
Interested BUW members seeking support with their application can contact the International Center.
Contact:
Andrea Bieck
Head of International Office
0202 439 2181
bieck[at]uni-wuppertal.de
