Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt - DLR-DAAD Research Fellowships in the fields of Space, Aeronautics, Energy and Transportation Research

DLR-DAAD Research Fellowship

You will receive a monthly scholarship to carry out research at an institute of the German Aerospace Centre (DLR) in Germany. The DLR is Germany’s national aerospace research centre, comprising 55 institutes at 30 locations. The amount of funding depends on your level of study: 992 EUR/month for Master’s students (9 months), 1,760 EUR/month for PhD students (up to 36 months), 2,400 EUR/month for postdocs (up to 24 months) and 2,760 EUR/month for senior researchers (1 to 3 months). For shorter visiting stays of 1 to 6 months, 1,760 EUR (PhD level) or 2,400 EUR (postdoctoral level) will be paid. Depending on the type of scholarship, you may also receive a flat-rate travel allowance, a rent allowance, health insurance and family allowances. If you have a disability or a chronic illness, you may be eligible for an additional payment to cover the associated extra costs. After your stay, you will become part of the DAAD alumni network.

Who can apply

• Field of study: Your research fits within one of DLR’s specialist areas: aviation, space, energy or transport. Some job vacancies also relate to the fields of security and digitalisation.
• Level: You are a Master’s student, PhD student, postdoctoral researcher or senior researcher. Each vacancy has its own specific requirements.
• Timing (doctoral): You completed your degree no more than six years ago.
• Timing (postdoc): You completed your PhD no more than two years ago.
• Nationality: You are not a German national. If you are a German national, you may still apply provided that your main place of residence has been outside Germany for at least six years.
• Grades: You have a track record of outstanding academic or research achievements in the field covered by the programme.
• Language: You have an excellent command of English. Knowledge of German would be an advantage.
• Where you work: The placement must take place at a DLR institute, not at a university or any other organisation.

How to apply

Select a current scholarship opportunity from the DAAD list, register on the DAAD portal and submit your application documents there. There are no fixed deadlines for the programme as a whole. Any deadlines are specified in the relevant offer, and places are allocated on a ‘first come, first served’ basis. The DAAD carries out an initial assessment, after which the DLR institute makes the final decision.

How realistic are your chances?

Each scholarship represents a single, specific research post at a DLR institute. This means you are only competing with other applicants who are a good fit for this exact topic and level, rather than with a broad, open pool of applicants. If your background clearly matches one of the advertised positions and you can demonstrate convincing results in this field, your chances are good. As places are allocated on a ‘first come, first served’ basis, it is advantageous to apply quickly for a suitable vacancy.