IScO Newsletter July 2025

News and Announcements from IScO

• IScO´s Excursion to Heidelberg
• IScO´s Excursion to Freiburg
• IScO´s Excursion: Where should we go next?
• IScO´s International BBQ at KIT International Guesthouse 

News and Announcements from KIT

• Helmholtz Global Fellow Program – A Perspective for International Scientists, Engineers and Technical Staff, Especially from the US
• Call for Applications: FA(ST)2Africa Mobility Scholarships
• How to Shape Your Future – Career Planning for Postdocs (two-day on-site workshop)
• Busting Jargon – Tactics for Comprehensible Communication in Science (two-day online workshop)
• E-Learning Courses: FIT-Career Modules
• Shut Up and Write! (10-week on-site writing course)
• KHYS - Aspirant Grant

External News and Announcements 

• Events in Karlsruhe
• Intercultural Training – Africa (On-site seminar at Forschungszentrum Jülich)
• Info Talks: DFG Funding Opportunities for Research Careers
• Transferable Skills Course: How to Survive Your First International Conference at University of Basel 
• HUMANE - Study Visit Southeast Asia 2025
• DAAD - Congress Travel Program
• Helmholtz Associate Postdoc Network 
• DFG Information for the science community

Current Calls for Proposal

• Temporary Teaching and/or Research Stays at German Jordanian University (GJU) - Call for Applications
• DWIH San Francisco - CITRIS Health Innovation Intensive
• Philipp Schwartz Initiative - Funding for Scholars at Risk 
• French National Research Agency (ANR) - MRSEI 2025 
• Université Franco-Allemande (UFA) – Deutsch-Französische Hochschule (DFH) 
• Ambassade de France en Allemagne / DAAD
• DAAD-Postdoc-Program PRIME – Call for Applications
• Eucor - Seed Money 2025
• EPICUR Seed Funding
• Scholarship program of the Baden-Württemberg State Parliament - 2nd Call for Applications
• Azrieli International Fellowships
• DAAD - ERA Fellowships: Green Hydrogen 
• AvH - Henriette Herz Scouting Program 

IScO´s Excursion to Heidelberg

IScO invites you to join us on a day trip to Heidelberg! Together, we’ll explore the city’s charming Old Town with its winding alleys, historic landmarks, and vibrant atmosphere.

As part of the program, we’ve booked a guided walking tour through the Altstadt (historic old town). You’ll learn about key sights such as the Church of the Holy Spirit, the Jesuit quarter, and Germany’s oldest university—including a visit to the famous Studentenkarzer (historic student prison). The route also takes us along the Hauptstraße, one of Europe’s longest pedestrian streets, filled with cafés, shops, and beautiful architecture.

After the guided tour has ended, you’re free to explore the city on your own or together with other participants—take your time to enjoy the cafés, river views, or even visit the castle if you like. 

Whether you're new to the region or simply curious, this is a great opportunity to explore Heidelberg with other international researchers.

• Date: Saturday, July 26, 2025
• Meeting time: 10:45 AM at Karlsruhe main station (Hauptbahnhof). We’ll take the train to Heidelberg Hbf at 11:13 AM and then continue with subway S5 (direction Eppingen) at 12:01 PM to Heidelberg-Altstadt. The guided tour in Heidelberg will start at 1:00 PM.
• Venue: Heidelberg
• Cost: 10 € per person for the guided tour. No train ticket is included in this price.

  • If you have a Deutschlandticket, you can use it.

  • If you do not have a Deutschlandticket, a single train ticket from Karlsruhe to Heidelberg-Altstadt currently costs around €12,30 one way.
    The same applies for the return journey (local train, no ICE).

• Registration: Registration required. Please also register any friends, colleagues or children that you plan to bring along in a separate form (for organizational reasons). 

We are looking forward to meeting you!

If questions arise, please write us an e-mail. 
Please feel free to share this offer among your network!

IScO´s Excursion to Freiburg

Join us for a guided walking tour through Freiburg’s charming old town, organized by IScO! Together, we’ll explore highlights like the famous Bächle, narrow alleys, colorful pebble mosaics, and the iconic Minster with its bustling market square. Starting at the Old Town Hall, the tour takes us past landmarks such as the House of the Whale and Münsterplatz, ending at the medieval Schwabentor—while uncovering fascinating stories from Freiburg’s rich history.

Whether you're new to the region or simply curious, this is a great opportunity to explore Freiburg with other international researchers. Feel free to bring colleagues, friends, or family—everyone is welcome!

• Date: Saturday, August 23, 2025
• Meeting time: around 11:45 AM at Karlsruhe main station (Hauptbahnhof). We’ll take the train to Freiburg Central Station at 12:07 PM and then walk together to the meeting point of the tour. On the way, there will be time to grab a snack from a bakery if you’d like. The guided tour in Freiburg will begin at 2:30 PM.  
• Venue: Freiburg
• Cost: 10 € per person for the guided tour. No train ticket is included in this price.

  • If you have a Deutschlandticket, you can use it.

  • If you do not have a Deutschlandticket, a single train ticket from Karlsruhe to Freiburg currently costs around €22,40 one way.
    The same applies for the return journey (local train, no ICE).

• Registration: Registration required. Please also register any friends, colleagues or children that you plan to bring along in a separate form (for organizational reasons). 

We are looking forward to meeting you!

If questions arise, please write us an e-mail. 
Please feel free to share this offer among your network!

IScO´s International BBQ at KIT International Guesthouse 

We would like to invite you and your friends, family and colleagues to our 
International BBQ on the roof top terrace of our KIT Guesthouse.
 
Enjoy a relaxed get-together where cultures, conversations, and cuisines come together!
Bring your favorite dish, enjoy grilled food, and connect with fellow researchers from around the world. Whether you're new in town or just love a good barbecue, this is the perfect chance to meet, mingle, and celebrate summer in an international atmosphere.

Event details: 

• Date: Thursday, August 28, 2025
• Time: from 05:00 PM
• Venue: KIT International Guesthouse, (Reinhold Frank Str. 48c), 4th floor (rooftop)
• Costs: We provide the drinks (sold at very moderate prices) and some basic side dishes. Please bring your own food to put onto the BBQ! Salads or typical food from your home country are also very welcome!
• Registration: Registration required. Please also register any friends, colleagues or children that you plan to bring along. The event only takes place in good weather conditions. In case of bad weather, we have to cancel the event since it´s a outdoor place.

If questions arise, please write us an e-mail. 
Please feel free to share this offer among your network!

IScO Excursion: Where should we go next?

We’re currently planning our next IScO excursion for September 2025—and we want to hear your ideas! The destination should be within two hours by regional train from Karlsruhe, reasonably priced (no ICE or long-distance trains), and suitable for a relaxed and safe group activity.

An IScO excursion is not just about sightseeing—it’s an opportunity to learn more about German culture, society, and history, to experience new places together with fellow international researchers, and to take a short break from academic life.

Possible ideas could include:

• A visit to Baden-Baden, with a walk through the historic old town and the parks of the Lichtentaler Allee.
• A hike through the Black Forest, starting from Bad Herrenalb or Bühl—easy and scenic routes only, no risky or extreme activities.
• A museum in Speyer, combining regional history, sustainability topics, and time to explore the vibrant student town.

The trip will take place outside the university.

Have an idea? Let us know which places you’d love to explore this summer. We’re looking forward to your suggestions—and maybe we’ll turn one of them into our next excursion!

If questions arise, please write us an e-mail. 
Please feel free to share this offer among your network!

Helmholtz Global Fellow Program – A Perspective for International Scientists, Engineers and Technical Staff, Especially from the US

KIT has successfully applied for the new Helmholtz Global Fellow Program, funded by the Initiative and Networking Fund of the President of the Helmholtz Association. The program offers advanced and high-performing international scientists as well as engineers and technical staff from renowned foreign research institutions a fellowship at a Helmholtz Center for an initial period of up to two years.

KIT invites all KIT scientists to nominate candidates for this program to come to KIT. The focus lies on candidates from the US. KIT can hand in applications to the Helmholtz Head Office until October 24, 2025.

The funding volume amounts to a lump sum 50,000 euros per person and year, with a maximum duration of two years. The Helmholtz Center where the fellow is employed is expected to provide additional financial resources of substantial amount.

The funding program aims to support scientists in the earlier and middle stages of their career as well as engineers and technical staff from abroad.

If you have any questions or want send a nomination, please write an email to Oliver Kaas, Advisor for Internationally Mobile Researchers or Dr. Klaus Rümmele, Head International Affairs Unit.

Call for Applications: FA(ST)2Africa Mobility Scholarships – internal KIT funding program within the strategy fund project 

FA(ST)2Africa is a strategic initiative of the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) that aims to strengthen international collaboration with partner institutions in Sub-Saharan Africa in the fields of research, education, and innovation. The project supports the development of long-term, equitable, and impactful partnerships between KIT and African institutions.

The FA(ST)2Africa Mobility Scholarships provide funding for research and cooperation stays at KIT. Applications are welcomed from both excellent researchers (length of the stay one to three months) with the aim to initiate sustainable collaborations – such as joint publications, pilot projects, or new partnership activities and university staff (length of the stay one to two weeks) engaged in international cooperation interested in fostering inter-institutional strategic cooperation.

Who can apply?
Applicants must hold a PhD or equivalent qualification, have a strong academic or cooperation-focused profile, and have lived and worked in a Sub-Saharan African country for at least five years. The administrative staff must be in a unit that deals with the development or support of partnerships with international institutions. Both target groups must not hold a permanent position in Germany.

Who can submit applications?
Applications must be submitted in collaboration with a KIT host who is part of the FA(ST)2Africa project. Individual applications without a KIT host will not be considered.

Funding duration:
1 to 3 months

Deadlines:
Current application deadline: 31 July 2025
Next round: 31 October 2025

If you have further questions, please write an e-mail.

Busting Jargon – Tactics for Comprehensible Communication in Science (two-day online workshop)

Are you a researcher who wants to communicate complex scientific ideas more clearly and effectively to diverse audiences? This interactive seminar, by Karlsruhe House of Young Scientists (KHYS), focuses on practical tools to make your research more accessible—whether you're writing a grant proposal, speaking at a conference, or sharing your work with the public.

What to expect:

• Learn how to tailor your communication for audiences with different backgrounds and levels of prior knowledge
• Discover techniques to reduce jargon and make technical language accessible
• Explore how to create engaging papers, posters, and presentations that are easily understood
• Get practical tips on how AI tools like ChatGPT can support you in simplifying complex messages
• Improve your overall scientific communication in writing and speaking

Event details

• Date & Time: Mondays, 29 September and 6 October 2025, 9:00 AM –12:30 AM
• Venue: Online (platform details will be provided after registration)
• Language: English
• Costs: Covered by KHYS for its members
• Registration: Online registration is required
• Target group: Doctoral researchers and postdocs at KIT

If you are unable to attend a session, please inform the organizers via e-mail so others may take your place.

If you have further questions, please contact Dr. Claire Earnshaw, Karlsruhe House of Young Scientists (KHYS), via e-mail.

E-Learning Courses: FIT-Career Modules

Expand your academic and professional skill set with the ongoing FIT-Career modules offered by Karlsruhe House of Young Scientists (KHYS). The modules are designed specifically for doctoral researchers and postdocs. These workshops offer valuable insights into publishing, science communication, industry, and leadership.

Available Courses: 

Module: Getting Published
Language: English
Target Group: Doctoral researchers and postdocs

Module: Basics of Science Communication
Language: German and English
Target Group: Doctoral researchers and postdocs

Module: Conferences, Presenting and Networking. Communicating Your Research with Impact
Language: English
Target Group: Doctoral researchers and postdocs

Module: Short-Cuts to Industry: Initial Insights into Communication
(including Moderating, Negotiations, Storytelling etc.)
Language: German and English
Target Group: Doctoral researchers and postdocs

Module: Short-Cuts to Industry: Initial Insights into Management Methods
(including Project Managing, Design Thinking etc.)
Language: German and English
Target Group: Doctoral researchers and postdocs

Module: Short-Cuts to Industry: Initial Insights into Leadership
(including New to the Leadership Role, Giving Feedback, Team Development etc.)
Language: German and English
Target Group: Doctoral researchers and postdocs

Learn more about the E-Learning Courses of the KHYS.  

Shut Up and Write! (10-week on-site writing course)

Are you a doctoral researcher or postdoc at KIT looking for dedicated time and space to make real progress on your academic writing? "Shut Up and Write!"offers a quiet, structured environment to help you stay focused and productive—whether you're working on a paper, grant proposal, or dissertation chapter.

What to expect:

• Weekly 90-minute writing sessions in a quiet, focused atmosphere
• Every other week: 15-minute expert input on topics such as writing strategies, time management, or overcoming blocks
• Optional one-on-one coaching sessions (35 minutes) to discuss writing challenges, structure, or clarity
• A space to strengthen your personal writing habits and gain momentum on your project

This is not an academic writing course—it’s a practical support format to help you get words on the page, reflect on your own process, and move your project forward.

Event details

• Date & Time: Mondays, from September 8 to November 10, 2025 from 8:00 – 9:30 Am
• Venue: Language Center (Sprachenzentrum), Room R114, KIT Campus South
• Language: English
• Costs: Covered by KHYS for its members
• Registration: Online registration is required. Due to high demand, you will be placed on a waiting list and notified if a spot becomes available.

If you are unable to attend a session, please inform the organziers via e-mail so others may take your place.

If you have further questions, please contact Dr. Claire Earnshaw, Karlsruhe House of Young Scientists (KHYS), via e-mail.

Aspirant Grant (Doctoral Researcher/Postdoc) by Karlsruhe House of Young Scientists (KHYS) 

Asprirant Grant (Doc/Postdoc) enables KIT professors and research group leaders to invite promising scientists who are interested in doing research at KIT as a doctorate researcher/postdoc in the near future to spend one month on-site. During the visit, both parties receive the chance to get to know each other and to discuss the possibility of doing a doctorate/postdoc at KIT. The funding measure is part of the KHYS Postdoc Office and is sponsored by the Initiative and Networking Fund of the Helmholtz Association.

Target group: KIT professors and research group leaders

Funding: KHYS will cover the travel and accommodation expenses for the aspirant’s stay

Deadline: Applications for both measures may be handed in anytime as long as funds are available.

Contact: Denisa Kicmerova (KHYS)

Please feel free to share this offer among your network!

Events in Karlsruhe

Do you want to get in touch with other English Speaking people?:

• Karlsruhe's English-Speaking Meetup Group (sponsored by Relocation Service move-in) is a means for anyone to organize events and activities. The most popular regular event is the monthly Stammtisch where you can meet nice people who speak English in a relaxed atmosphere. Start is 6:30 pm until around 10:30 pm. The July Stammtisch is on Tuesday, July 8th at Kaisergarten in Karlsruhe. Other popular events are hiking and jazz concerts. Anyone can participate or organize, but it helps the organizers if you sign up first – and remove your name if you can no longer attend!
• The American Library has regular events in English for kids and adults.
  For adults:  LitNight (July 1 & 15), New(s) Views (July 8), MovieTalk (July 9), Poetry?Please! (July 22). For kids and teens:  Storytime in English for Kids 3 to 5 (June 11 and 25 at 4 pm), Reading Time (Age 6 & Up) (July 18), TeenTime (July 18).

Do you want to improve your German?:

• Sprecht miteinander! Speak with each other!: Practice your spoken German in a relaxed atmosphere. People of similar language ability form groups moderated by a volunteer. Free and no registration required. Wednesdays and Fridays from 6:30 to 8:00 PM at the Bürgerzentrum Mühlburg (BZM), Weinbrennerstr. 79a, 76185 Karlsruhe.
• The IBZ offers practice in speaking German via Skype on Mondays and in person on Thursdays from 6:30 to 8:00 PM. Read more about the offer.
• Other opportunities to practice speaking in German can be found on the  Integration page of the City of Karlsruhe. 

What events are coming up in Karlsruhe?:

• June 29 - August 5 — Zeltival is the summer festival at Tollhaus. Great bands and performances - some internationally known, some newcomers - make for a great mix in a relaxed atmosphere.
• July 18 - September 7 — Open Air Movies shown outside of Schloss Gottesaue run by the Schauburg theater. Most films are shown in German. Five films are shown in the original language with German subtitles: The Phoenician Scheme on July 24, Mickey 17 on July 30, Nosferatu (2024) on August 20, Blood & Sinners on September 4, and The Substance on September 7.
• July 24 - 27 — Das Fest. Karlsruhe's biggest open air music event. The main stage requires a ticket – Friday and Saturday are already sold out. The other stages have great acts as well. Fun for the whole family. If the weather is good, it gets very crowded. The event is financed in a large part through the purchase of food and drink, therefore you may not bring your own food (except for baby food for your baby). In the Günther-Klotz-Anlage. Free, except for the main stage tickets.
• July 24 – 27 — Exhibition in the Karlsruhe University of Arts and Design (Hochschule für Gestalltung). Find out what students at all levels have been doing recently.
• July 25 - 27 — India Summer Days. Concerts, shows, workshops, dance and yoga in the Günther- Klotz-Anlage parallel to Das Fest.
• August 2 — KAMUNA is Karlsruhe’s Museum Night, where many of the local museums and cultural institutions are open until midnight. Buy a button for admission. Food and drinks available for purchase at many venues. Special tours and events.
• August 14 – September 14 — Schlosslichtspiele. The façade of the Karlsruhe palace is illuminated with innovative images – some realistic, some abstract, most to music. Free. Starting at 9:30 pm in August and 8:30 pm in September. Find a spot in front of the palace and enjoy!

Intercultural Training – Africa (On-site seminar at Forschungszentrum Jülich)

The National and International Relations unit of Forschungszentrum Jülich, in cooperation with the Personnel Department, is organizing an exciting and informative intercultural training on working with African partners. The training will take place on site at Forschungszentrum Jülich.

What to expect:

• Intercultural training on working with African partners
• Guided tour of the FZJ campus and facilities, including the latest supercomputers

Event details

• Date: Thursday, September 4, 2025
• Venue: Forschungszentrum Jülich (on-site)

For participation and further questions, you can contact Dr. Solomon Nwabueze Agbo.

Info Talks on DFG Funding Opportunities for Research Careers

Germany’s largest independent research funding organisation offers funding opportunities for all career stages between doctorate and professorship. Join their online talk and get to know the DFG and its funding portfolio for postdocs. PhD candidates and postdocs of all disciplines are welcome to join!

Upcoming talks in the Prospects Series (in english):

• 15/09/2025, 02:00 - 03:30 p.m. CET – DFG Funding Opportunities for Postdocs 
• 11/12/2025, 04:00 - 05:30 p.m. CET – DFG Funding Opportunities for Postdocs 

Please check this DFG Website for updates on the individual talks.

Transferable Skills Course: How to Survive Your First International Conference at University of Basel 

This online course, "How to Survive Your First International Conference", is designed to help PhD students and postdocs master the art of scientific presentation and effective networking. It provides essential tips and strategies for navigating the complexities of international conferences, enabling students to engage confidently with peers, present their research successfully, and expand their professional network. Take advantage of psychological principles of perception that can improve the clarity of your slides and the impact of your talk.

Who can apply?
Doctoral candidates and postdocs of all Eucor & EPICUR universities

Timeline:

• Date: November 17 and 19, 2025, 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM
• Location: The course will take place online via Zoom
• Language: English
• Costs: No participation fee
• Registration: Online Registration is required until October 17, 2025

Learn more about the offer on the Fact Sheet.
For further questions, you can contact grace@unibas.ch.

HUMANE Study Visit Southeast Asia 2025

Driving Success: Strategic Innovation through Transformative Leadership in Southeast Asian Universities

This exclusive study visit offers senior university leaders the opportunity to explore how Southeast Asia’s dynamic economic and social transformations are influencing higher education. The focus is on strategic development, internationalisation, and universities' role in regional talent strategies.

Event Details:

• Date: November 9–14, 2025
• Location: Malaysia (University of Nottingham Malaysia) & Singapore (St. Gallen Institute of Management in Asia)
• Language: English
• Target Group: Senior leaders and professionals in higher education
• Costs: €3,950 (HUMANE members) / €4,450 (non-members)
• Registration: Online registration required

Program Highlights:

• Strategic positioning of universities in the ASEAN region
• Transnational education as a driver of innovation and growth
• Industry-university collaboration for talent development
• Campus visits to institutions such as Nanyang Technological University (NTU)
• Insights into national policy visions such as Singapore’s “Smart Nation” strategy

The detailed program is available on the HUMANE website.

Important Information:

• Confirmation of participation will be sent in late spring 2025. Please do not book travel or accommodation before receiving official confirmation.
• Participants join at their own risk. HUMANE is not responsible for personal loss or damages during the visit.
• Cancellation policy:
• No fee before September 24, 2025
• 50% fee from September 25 to October 8, 2025
• 100% fee after October 9, 2025

Learn more about HUMANE Study Visit Southeast Asia 2025.
For further information, please contact HUMANE via e-mail.

Helmholtz Associate Postdoc Network (HAPN)

The network warmly invites all Helmholtz postdocs to become active members of HAPN.

Working Group 1 Communications – Responsible for fostering open communication within HAPN and with the broader Helmholtz community, ensuring postdocs stay informed about resources, initiatives, and relevant developments.

Working Group 2 Networking – Focused on building connections and organizing events that support collaboration and knowledge-sharing across institutes including career centers and Helmholtz Juniors (HeJus), as well as connecting with external organizations.

Working Group 3 Perspectives – Committed to enhancing the postdoc experience by advocating for fruitful career pathways, effective development opportunities, and consistent standards across Helmholtz Centers.

Join HAPN to build a strong, connected, and supportive network for all Helmholtz postdocs.

For further questions, you can contact HAPN via e-mail.  

DFG Information for the scientific communitiy 

The Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG, German Research Foundation) continues to support researchers who have fled their home countries. The aim is to enable their short-term integration into the German research system so that they can continue their academic work.

Target group: Doctoral researchers who fled their home country in the last three years can apply for a Walter Benjamin Fellowship.

Funding:

• Gain experience at a German academic institution by supervising a research project to establish a foundation for advancing in the German academic system.
• Receive individual career support from the host institution.
• Integrate into ongoing projects in various DFG funding programs.

Special Program Ukraine:

The DFG is extending the Special Program Ukraine until further notice. Through this funding opportunity, Ukrainian researchers (project leaders) who are in Ukraine and whose research is still possible can receive special support. You can find more information on the Special Program Ukraine here.

Learn more about the program on the DFG Website. 

Temporary Teaching and/or Research Stays at German Jordanian University (GJU): Call for Applications

Who can apply?
Professors (including junior professors) and junior researchers/postdocs from the German partner university network. Applicants must have German or EU citizenship.

What is required?

• Completed university studies & PhD/doctorate
• Teaching experience in higher education
• Recent scientific publications (monographs, articles, or other works)
• Willingness for interdisciplinary cooperation

What does the funding include?

• 2 positions available for four months each in 2026
• A monthly allowance via TNE project funds, in addition to the usual local salary at GJU or the home university
• Stays funded via special leave of absence (sabbatical) by the German university

Activities at GJU:

• Teaching in German and/or English
• (Applied) research projects; possible establishment of research clusters or knowledge transfer initiatives
• Further development of teaching areas and internationalization of the faculty

Start options:

• Second Semester 2025/26 (approx. February 15, 2026)
• First Semester 2026/27 (approx. September 15, 2026)

Deadline: September 30, 2025

Application:
Send your application documents (as one PDF) including permission to forward them to DAAD to both addresses:
Vice.President-IA.Office@gju.edu.jo and ruth.pappenhagen@german-jordanian.org

Contact for queries:

• Technical/administrative: Dr. Jennifer Gronau 
• TNE funding: Ruth Pappenhagen 

CITRIS Health Innovation Intensive | DWIH San Francisco

Who can apply?
Students and researchers at German universities, universities of applied sciences (HAWs), and research institutions with an interest in health entrepreneurship.

What does the funding include?
DWIH covers the program and hotel costs. Participants and/or their institutions must cover flight and miscellaneous expenses.

Why apply?

• Lead AI-Driven Healthcare – Gain insights on AI applications in aging, patient monitoring, imaging, and automation
• Ensure Compliance & Ethics – Understand GDPR, HIPAA, and responsible AI principles
• Accelerate your Startup – Leverage innovation strategies from Silicon Valley and UC Berkeley
• Exclusive Expert Access – Network with experts from UC Berkeley, UC Davis Health, and industry
• Enhance Sustainability – Learn how AI can improve efficiency and patient care in healthcare systems

When: September 15–19, 2025
Where: San Francisco, California

If you have further questions, you can contact Evan Gong.

Funding for Scholars at Risk by the Philipp Schwartz Initiative

What?
The Philipp Schwartz Initiative, coordinated by the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation and funded by the Federal Foreign Office and private foundations, enables researchers at risk due to war or persecution to continue their academic work at a host institution in Germany.

The initiative supports scholars whose research careers have been interrupted by threats, exile, or displacement—helping them regain academic perspectives.
KIT has actively supported and hosted scholars through this program since its launch in 2016.

When?
Grants can start as of January 1, 2026
Selection results are expected by end of November 2025

What does the funding include?

• Full funding for up to 24 months
• Possibility of a 12-month extension (co-financed)
• Ongoing support from IScO for hosts and fellows (including administrative matters)

Who can apply?
Researchers cannot apply individually.
Nominations must be submitted by a German university or research institution. At KIT, nominations are coordinated by the International Scholars & Welcome Office (IScO) and decided upon by an internal board.

If you are considering nominating a scholar at risk, please contact IScO as early as possible, as a risk assessment via Scholars at Risk or Council for At-Risk Academics (CARA) must be initiated in advance. For Afghan and Ukrainian nominees, a personal risk report is sufficient.

Internal procedures at KIT are outlined at Internal nomination process (KIT Intranet) (login required).

Internal KIT deadline: July 30, 2025

How to apply?
Submit proposals via e-mail.

For further questions, please contact Oliver Kaas.

Faculty Mobility Program: Baden-Württemberg / North Carolina

Who can apply?
Researchers from the nine research universities in Baden-Württemberg or from participating universities in North Carolina who are interested in initiating or strengthening academic cooperation within the state partnership program.

What does the funding include?
A one-time travel allowance of €1,200 for short research stays of at least one week at a participating university in North Carolina or Baden-Württemberg during the calendar year 2026.

Why apply?
Support for international academic collaboration, opportunity to develop new partnerships or deepen existing ones, and backing by state-level institutions.

Deadline: October 15, 2025

For further questions, please contact Lukas Dausend (University of Mannheim).

Bilateral Joint Research Projects/Seminars FY2026

Who can apply?
Researchers based in Japan in collaboration with international counterparts. Open to all countries with diplomatic relations to Japan. Specific bilateral schemes are available with partner organizations in Germany (DAAD, DFG) and Austria (FWF), among others.

What does the funding include?
Financial support for bilateral joint research projects and seminars, covering the Japanese research team’s expenses. In bilateral schemes, additional funding may be available via counterpart agencies (e.g. DAAD, DFG, FWF).

Why apply?
Strengthen international research networks, initiate long-term collaborations, and support early-career researchers through joint projects or academic seminars.

Deadline: September 3, 2025 (5 PM JST – Japanese-side application)

International Fellowships for Research in Japan

Who can apply?
PhD students or PhD researchers who wish to conduct research in Japan under the guidance of a host researcher at a Japanese university or research institution. Applications are possible via foreign nominating agencies or open calls by JSPS.

What does the funding include?
Support for short-term or standard-length research stays in Japan, including travel and living expenses. Program types and durations vary depending on the application route (DAAD, AvH, or JSPS open call).

Why apply?
Opportunity to build long-term academic ties with Japanese institutions and gain international research experience with financial support.

Application routes:
Via German partner organizations:

• DAAD (Short-term)
• AvH (Standard/Short-term)

Via JSPS open calls:

• Short-term Fellowships (JSPS)
• Standard Fellowships (JSPS)

Deadline: Varies depending on the application route. See respective websites for current dates.

Core-to-Core Program FY2026

Who can apply?
Research institutions aiming to establish long-term partnerships with leading research centers worldwide. Open to all countries. The program includes two components:
(1) Advanced Research Networks
(2) Asia-Africa Science Platforms

What does the funding include?
Support to create world-class research hubs and promote sustained collaboration in cutting-edge fields and on topics of high international relevance—particularly those addressing key challenges in Asia and Africa.

Why apply?
Build institutional research and education hubs, strengthen global collaboration, and foster the next generation of international researchers.

Application period:
September 3 to October 1, 2025 (5 p.m. JST, scheduled)

MRSEI 2025 - Setting up European or International Scientific Networks (MRSEI) by the French National Research Agency (ANR)

Who can apply?
Researchers based at French laboratories who want to build or lead a transnational research network. Open to all disciplines. The goal: prepare a proposal for a major European or international call (e.g. Horizon Europe).

What does the funding include?
€36,000 over 24 months to set up your scientific network (no research funding included).

Why apply?
Simplified application, fast funding decisions, and support to lead ambitious collaborative projects.

Deadline: September 2025

For further questions, please write an e-mail to Manuella Werp.

Université Franco-Allemande (UFA) – Deutsch-Französische Hochschule (DFH) 

Different funding opportunities for double degrees*, PhD-Track programs*, preparatory meetings, doctoral colleges*, joint PhDs*, scientific events, Franco-German chairs.

Some of the funding mechanisms are open all the year.

Learn more about the calls in German or French.
For further questions, please write an e-mail to Manuella Werp.

DAAD-Postdoc-Program PRIME – Call for Applications 

The DAAD PRIME program supports postdoctoral researchers who aim to build a long-term career in Germany by funding international mobility and reintegration. 

Who can apply?
Postdocs from all disciplines with above-average qualifications who have completed their doctorate before the start of funding. There are no restrictions regarding nationality or current residence, though destination countries may be limited based on individual status.

What is funded?
An 18-month full employment contract with a German university, including a 12-month research stay abroad followed by a 6-month reintegration phase in Germany. The stay abroad may include multiple host institutions and countries. Integration into the German social security system is required.

Timeline:

• Deadline: 29 August 2025
• Selection: February 2026
• Start of funding: Between 1 June and 1 November 2026

You can apply via the DAAD scholarship database by selecting your subject, host country, and “Programme für: Promovierte”.

For further questions, you can write an e-mail to Brid Schenkl.

Eucor - Seed Money 2025

Eucor – The European Campus supports cross-border teaching and research projects between the five Upper Rhine universities through its Seed Money program.

Who can apply?
Projects researchers from at least two Eucor member universities
in at least two different countries. Projects already receiving national or international funding are not eligible.

The annual call offers two funding lines:

• Teaching
• Research, Innovation & Transfer – also open to doctoral training projects

What does the funding include?
Maximum funding per project €60,000.

Deadline: September 8, 2025, 5:00 PM (CEST).
 
For any inquiries, you can contact Felicitas Proksch.

EPICUR Seed Funding

Got a collaborative research idea? EPICUR might fund it. The 2025 edition of the Seed Funding Scheme is now open!

Who can apply?
This seed funding scheme supports the development of ideas for research cooperation, proofs of concept, and collaborative joint research projects, in any scientific field.
Projects aligned with EPICUR's priority areas are especially encouraged. Open to researchers affiliated to one of EPICUR partner universities.

What does the funding include?
Up to 150.000€!

Deadline: September 4, 2025, 23:59 (CET)

Scholarship program of the Baden-Württemberg State Parliament 

Who can apply?

• All Baden-Württemberg higher education institutions. They can apply for funding for students, early-stage researchers and interns who are planning a stay in Baden-Württemberg or Israel in the scope of partnerships between higher education institution, as well as for study trips and events in this context.
• Students must be enrolled full-time at a higher education institution in Baden-Württemberg or Israel.
• Interns are eligible to apply if they are enrolled full-time at a higher education institution in Baden-Württemberg or Israel.

Funding can be requested for the following purposes:

• for studies, research projects and internships abroad of one to six months (including examination periods, provided that credits for examinations are recognized at the home institution),
• for events (workshops, symposia, conferences, etc.) and
• for study trips. 

If the application is approved, funding will be provided in 2025.

Deadline: June 16, 2025, but the call remains open until the budget is exhausted.

Application Process:
The application documents must be submitted via e-mail by the higher education institution’s rectorate or central administration with reference to the “Scholarship program of the Baden-Württemberg State Parliament”.

If you have any questions regarding the call for applications, please contact Ms. Mareen Knappe.

Azrieli International Fellowships Call for Applications

Postdoctoral Fellowship: Azrieli International 2026–27

The fellowship supports exceptional postdocs across all disciplines at Israeli academic institutions. Fellows receive a monthly stipend of 14,000 ILS for a duration of up to three years.

Who can apply?

• PhD awarded on or after Nov 1, 2022 (except in Israel).
• PhD candidates eligible if defense is completed by June 1, 2026.
• No academic degrees (BA, MA, PhD) from Israeli institutions allowed. Exception: former visiting or exchange students.
• Not eligible if a postdoc or academic position in Israel began before Sep 1, 2025.

Applications open on September 1, 2025, and close on November 19, 2025.

Please note that candidates for the fellowship must secure an academic sponsor in Israel before applying.

DAAD - ERA Fellowships: Green Hydrogen 

The DAAD scholarship program “ERA Fellowships – Green Hydrogen” provides support for German and international PhD students and postdocs working on topics related to Green Hydrogen. It funds studies, research, and internships both in Germany and internationally.

The following funding program's are available:

• PhD students: Funding for research or training projects on Green Hydrogen at universities, research institutes, or companies (including self-organized internships). Further Information can be found on this Website.
• PostDocs: Research fellowships provide funding for a research stay abroad or a part of a research project. Further Information can be found on this Website.

Who can apply?:

• PhD students currently enrolled in a German university, university of applied sciences, or non-university research institutions) 
• PostDocs (currently conducting research in Germany) interested in Green Hydrogen topics can apply. 

Participants will engage in one of four working groups: Production, Transport and Infrastructure, Market Stimulation (development of the hydrogen market), or Cross-Cutting Issues (regulation, socio-economic, and legal frameworks).

Duration of the funding:

• for PhD students: 1 to 18 months for research fellowships and 2 to 3 months for internships.
• for PostDocs: 1 to 18 months.

If you are interested you can apply directly through the DAAD scholarship database. 

Henriette Herz Scouting Program by Alexander von Humboldt Foundation

Have you long since made a name for yourself in your discipline? Or are you at the beginning of a promising executive research career? Are you also well-connected internationally and have already mentored junior researchers?

Then the Henriette Herz Scouting Program could be the right one for you. They specifically want to recruit researchers as scouts who already have their own international network and would like to expand their team to include an excellent Humboldt Research Fellow. 

Two program lines invite applications from both up-and-coming academics, who are (junior) professors or group leaders, as well as established researchers.