Pursue research in Germany with scholarship

The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) is an association of higher education institutions and student bodies in the Federal Republic of Germany, promoting academic exchange.

DAAD annually offers fellowships for Indian nationals for research and study at universities and research institutes in Germany. The announcements for current year's fellowships and scholarships were made recently.

Annual research fellowship

Under this fellowship, there are three categories where researchers can apply. One can apply for full-time Ph.D that can be completed in three years. Qualified postgraduates from any discipline can apply.

Sandwich model fellowships are for scholars registered for their Ph.D in any discipline in India. If selected, scholars can carry out research for their Ph. D thesis for one year, in Germany under the joint supervision of their Indian as well as a German professor.

The Ph.D will be awarded by the Indian institute.

Short-term scholarships

There are also short-term scholarships for Ph.D registered scholars and M.Phil (German studies only) candidates to visit Germany for two to six months.

This scholarship provides an opportunity for registered Ph.D scholars to carry out a part of their research under the guidance of a German professor.

Research scholarship for recent post-doctoral scholars is open for university academics and scientists from India on active duty. Those selected, can carry out a research (one to six months) project in a State or State-recognised higher education institution or non-university research institute in Germany.

The scholarships are open to Indian research scholars who have an acceptance / invitation from a professor at any of the German universities, to pursue research. The application deadline for research fellowship is October 1, 2011.

Master's scholarships

“This year, DAAD has introduced a new programme for scholarship, namely, Conflict studies and management. The programme is offered by the Willy Brandt School of Public Policy in Erfurt,” says Padmavathy Chandramouli of DAAD Chennai. Regional security (especially developing frameworks for regional security architectures), terrorism, governance, fragile States, peace and institution building, global policy making, cultural and religious aspects in conflict studies are covered under this programme.

The target group for this programme are scholars, who have completed their studies with a bachelor's degree in one of the following areas: International relations, peace and conflict studies / war studies, International law, areas studies or other relevant programmes with focus on conflict studies or conflict regions.

Highly-qualified applicants with different academic backgrounds and at least two years of practical experience in the field are also eligible to apply.

Apart from this, scholarship is awarded for postgraduate studies with relevance to developing countries.

A PG scholarship for Public Policy and Good Governance is offered at select German universities in the following focus areas: public policy, good governance, international relations, public management, administration and civil society.

For both of the above mentioned programmes, well-qualified candidates form focus-related disciplines can apply.

Last date

Information pertaining to application procedure is available at www.daaddelhi.org.

The deadline for submission of application is July 31, 2011, at DAAD New Delhi office.