German Aerospace Center (DLR) and DAAD are organizing fellowship programs for doctoral studies, Postdoctoral, and senior scientists to do extensive research in the following fields:

• Aeronautics
• Space
• Energy
• Transportation
• Digitalisation
• Security

Scholarship/Fellowship details:

There are four types of funding for 4 different levels of programs:

• Type A – Graduate Students :
  • Funding lasts 9 months. The monthly instalment is 992 euros, plus additional benefits such as a flat-rate travel allowance, rent subsidy, health insurance, and family allowances.
• Type B – Doctoral Students: Funding is available for 36 months. The monthly instalment is 1,760 euros, along with possible benefits including a flat-rate travel allowance, health insurance, and family allowances.
• Type C – Postdoctoral Students:
• Funding is available for periods ranging from 6 to 24 months. The monthly instalment is 2,400 euros.
• Type D – Senior Scientists:
• Funding is provided for periods ranging from 1 to 3 months. The monthly instalment is 2,760 euros.

Related: 

42 Chancellor’s International Scholarship for PhD Degree at the University of Warwick [Fully-Funded]

UCA & DAAD Scholarships in Germany

Apply to the UCA-Cambridge Trust scholarship for PhD studies at the University of Cambridge 

Apply to 100 Knight Hennessy Fully Funded Scholarships at Stanford University 

105 MIEM Master Scholarship Program for International Students at the University of Paris

Global ‘Sustainability Scholarship’ for Master’s Degree in Denmark (€5000 Award)

Who can apply for the DLR Scholarship?

At the time of their application, applicants for a DLR-DAAD Fellowship must

• not be of German nationality, or must be able to prove that the main place of residence lies outside of Germany for at least six years,
• be able to prove their outstanding study or research achievements in the field of research corresponding to the fellowship offer,
• Type A: applicants have completed a first qualifying degree (Bachelor’s, Diploma, equivalent) and must be enrolled in a Master’s programme at a foreign or German university,
• Type B: have completed their studies or research with a university degree not more than six years ago,
• Type C: have completed their studies with a doctorate/PhD/Candidate (Russia) not more than two years ago,
• Type D: Applicants must be working in higher education or at a research institute. Positions are open to outstandingly qualified academics and scientists who generally hold a doctorate/Ph.D.; additional prerequisites may differ and are stated in the fellowship offers.
• Have an excellent knowledge of English; knowledge of German is advantageous.
• Be a national of a country other than Germany.
• Meet English language requirements (TOEFL IBT 79-95, IELTS 6.5-7.0, CAE, C1)

How to apply?

Applicants should apply online through the DAAD portal and submit all required documents electronically. And the reference should be sent by post.

DAAD’s Head Office in Bonn will only request certified copies of the submitted documents in paper form if a grant is awarded!

Required documents for DLR – DAAD Research Fellowship in English /German

Required for All Types (A, B, C, D)

• Online application form
• Cover page
• Statement of purpose (Appendix)
• Complete curriculum vitae

Additional Requirements

Type A

• Abstract of Bachelor’s (or equivalent) thesis
• Bachelor’s or equivalent degree certificate with final grade(s) (submit later if unavailable)
• Proof of enrollment in a Master’s program
• Proof of English proficiency
• All university transcripts with individual grades and grading system explanation
• German or English translations of any documents not originally in these languages

Types B and C

• List of publications (if applicable)
• Abstract of Master’s or PhD thesis (max. 3 pages)
• University degree certificate with final grade(s) (submit later if unavailable)
• Proof of English proficiency (e.g., TOEFL iBT min. 79 or IELTS min. 6.5)
• All university transcripts with individual grades and grading system explanation
• German or English translations of any documents not originally in these languages
• No confirmation of academic supervision is required

Type D

• List of publications

Documents to Send by Post

• Type A: One sealed letter of recommendation from a professor of your home institution.
• Types B and C: Two sealed letters of recommendation from senior academics of your choice.

Important Notes for Referees

• Generate the recommendation form via the DAAD portal under “Request recommendation form” after registration.
• Email the blank form to your referees, who must complete it and send the sealed letter directly by post to DAAD’s head office in Bonn.
• Letters cannot be submitted digitally, must remain confidential, and must arrive within four weeks after your online application submission.

Apply Online

Current Open Positions

Space, Satellite & Earth Observation

• 771 – PostDoc: Deep Learning for the Retrieval of Biophysical Parameters from Spaceborne SAR Data
• 755 – PhD: Data Assimilation and Observing System Simulation Experiments (OSSE) in the Ionosphere
• 724 – Graduate: Ultra-Wide-Swath SAR Imaging Enabled by Multiple-Elevation-Beam F-Scan with PRI Variation Schemes
• 704 – Graduate: Communication System Design for Swarms
• 688 – Graduate: Applications of Stochastic Signal Processing Techniques to Synthetic Aperture Radar Data
• 683 – Graduate: Optimization of the Beltrami Framework for InSAR Denoising
• 663 – Graduate: Development of Efficient Algorithms for Simulation and Processing of SAR Data
• 627 – PhD: Blind Source Separation for Innovative Spaceborne Synthetic Aperture Radar Systems
• 573 – PhD: Distributed Radar Interferometry and Tomography Using Clusters of Smallsats (ERC-Funded Project DRITUCS)
• 722 – PostDoc: Machine Learning Techniques for Satellite Communications
• 731 – PostDoc: Conceptual Process Design of High-Performance Ni-H₂ Batteries for Future Lunar and Mars Missions

Artificial Intelligence, Data Science & Computing

• 780 – Visiting Researcher (PhD): Data-Based Materials Physics
• 756 – Senior Scientist: Distributed Computing for NTN
• 696 – PhD: AI-Based Enhancements for High-Precision Indoor Positioning
• 772 – PhD: Sustainable AI-Driven Robust Design of Automotive Structures Using Recycled Materials
• 699 – PostDoc: Method Development of Sensor Set Identification Strategies for Novel Autonomous Vehicle Concepts

Aeronautics & Aerospace Engineering

• 761 – PhD: Chemical Kinetics of Nitrous Oxide-Based Mono- and Bi-Propellants
• 754 – PhD: Identification of Damage and Degradation of Compressor Blades Using Acoustic Measurements and Anomaly Detection Methods
• 712 – PostDoc: Active Flow Control for Delay of Vortex Breakdown in Transonic Flow Regime

Energy, Electrochemistry & Sustainability

• 765 – Visiting Researcher (PhD/PostDoc): Studying Shunt Currents in a Water Alkaline Electrolysis System
• 764 – PostDoc: Alkaline Electrolyzer System Improvements for Gas Crossover Mitigation
• 615 – PostDoc: Transient Simulation, Control System Design and Process Model for Up- & Downstream Integration Concept of Alkaline Electrolyzer
• 595 – PostDoc: Advanced Electron Microscopy for Electrochemical Energy Conversion Devices
• 560 – PostDoc: Ecological Evaluation for Future Aviation Powertrains (LCA)
• 545 – PostDoc: Proton Conducting Electrochemical Cells for Energy Systems Applications
• 540 – PostDoc: Electrochemical CO₂ Reduction

Materials Science, Physics & Chemistry

• 775 – PhD: Microbiology
• 774 – PhD: Quantum Error Correction
• 655 – Senior Scientist: Specific Heat- and Normal Spectral Emissivity Measurement of Levitated Liquid Metals
• 552 – PostDoc: Structures in Water and Functional Materials
• 551 – PostDoc: Granular Light Scattering in Zero and Reduced Gravity

Life Sciences & Space Biology

• 739 – PhD: Investigation of Calcium Signaling in Neurons under Microgravity Conditions Using CaMPARI2

Transportation & Automotive Engineering

• 772 – PhD: Sustainable AI-Driven Robust Design of Automotive Structures Using Recycled Materials
• 699 – PostDoc: Method Development of Sensor Set Identification Strategies for Novel Autonomous Vehicle Concepts

Security, Radar & Surveillance Systems

• 743 – PhD: Ship Detection, Tracking and Imaging Using Ground-Based Radar Systems

Check the current Fellowship offers HERE

Similar opportunities

• DAAD Scholarship for Master’s Program Infrastructure Planning (MIP) in Germany
• Master Helmut-Schmidt Scholarship Program for Public Policy and Good Governance (DAAD PPGG)
• World Bank Scholarships in Australia, USA, Japan and other countries

For more details, please visit the DAAD Website.