CIERA (Interdisciplinary Center for German Studies) - CIERA Mobility Grants

CIERA Mobility Grants

You will receive a monthly grant of 650 to 1,300 EUR for a research stay or an internship in Germany, Austria or Switzerland, or at a DAAD-funded centre for German and European Studies at another location worldwide (excluding Paris). The amount depends on your level of study. PhD students without any other research funding and researchers who completed their PhD no more than 4 years ago will receive 1,300 EUR per month. Master’s students and PhD students who already have a research contract will receive 650 EUR per month. PhD study visits last up to 6 months and may be extended once. Master’s study visits last up to 3 months. Funding is provided by CIERA, a network of French universities that promotes research on the German-speaking world, as well as by the DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service) and the French Ministry of Research.

Who can apply

• Level: You are a Master’s student, a PhD student or a researcher, and you completed your PhD less than 4 years ago.
• Field of study: You are studying a subject in the humanities or social sciences. Natural sciences, engineering and medicine are excluded from this application.
• Where you study: You have been enrolled at a French higher education institution for at least one year.
• Residence: Their main place of residence is in France.
• Nationality: Any nationality can apply.
• Research topic: Your project relates to the German-speaking world, either as its main focus or by way of comparison.
• German skills: You must be able to demonstrate that you understand and speak German to the standard required for your job. You must not use your stay solely to learn the language.
• Host confirmation: You have an invitation or a letter of support from a research institution in a German-speaking country.

How to apply

You apply online via the CIERA website and upload your application documents as a single PDF file. There are two application rounds per year. The application deadline is 20 April at 12:00 for stays between July and December, and 20 October at 12:00 for stays from the following January to June. A selection panel will review all applications and notify applicants of the results by email. There will be no interview.

How realistic are your chances?

This scholarship is aimed at a narrowly defined target group: you must be enrolled at a university in France, be working in the humanities or social sciences, and be conducting research on a topic with a connection to the German-speaking world. This keeps the pool of applicants small. If you clearly meet these requirements, can demonstrate sufficient knowledge of German and have a binding invitation from a host institution, your chances are good. Selection depends on the academic quality of your application and the funds available; therefore, a clear, well-justified research project is of the utmost importance.