DAAD-PROMOS

The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) finances the PROMOS programme. The programme grants scholarships that support study-related stays abroad in countries that are not part of the Erasmus+ programme . The monthly funding rates currently amount to 350 €, 450 € or 550 €, depending on the country. Click here to find out the current funding rate for your target country.

Applications are open to all enrolled students who are pursuing a degree at JLU and are planning a stay abroad.

Enrolled doctoral students can only apply for winter and summer schools.

The PROMOS programme funds study-related stays abroad of up to 6 months in the following funding lines:

1. Study visits for countries outside the Erasmus programme countries (min. 1 month to max. 4 months)

The programme funds study visits to universities for a duration of up to four months. Applications from free movers will also be taken into consideration. Applicants require confirmation of the host university at the time of application.

2. Internship abroad outside the Erasmus programme countries (min. 4 weeks to max. 4 months)

The programme funds internships abroad, e.g. at schools, universities, hospitals, research institutions, animal welfare institutions, etc.

Applicants require confirmation of the host institution at the time of application.

3. Research projects to prepare the MA oder B-thesis (worldwide) (min. 1 to max. 4 months)

The programme funds research activities abroad that have the purpose of completing the bachelor's or master's thesis at universities, research institutions or companies around the world , including countries that are part of the Erasmus programme . Applicants require confirmation of the host institution at the time of application. The supervisor of the thesis must explicitly support the stay abroad.

4. Winter and summer schools / specialized courses worldwide

The programme funds the participation in specialized courses, including countries that are part of the Erasmus programme . At the time of the application, applicants require confirmation about their participation in the according winter or summer school. Doctoral students of all disciplines can also apply for this funding line.

Here you will find a list of all current winter and summer schools at partner universities of JLU.

Please submit your complete application digitally, as a single PDF file (last name, first name_type of stay_current study programme.pdf) only during the respective application period and within the deadline. Please pay attention to the specified order of the documents to be submitted. Please send your application to:

promos-aaa@admin.uni-giessen.de

Application documents (to be submitted as a single PDF file in the order as listed below):

Checklist

• Enrollment Certificate of JLU
• Online application
• motivation letter (in German or English, approx. 1-2 DIN A4 page/s)
• curriculum vitae without photo
• Flex-Now printout (if applicable, other proof of previous academic achievements) and copy of the Bachelor's certificate (for Master's students)
• Language certificate (you are welcome to use the offer of the ZfbK for DAAD language tests ).
  

  Language certificates can be submitted until January 15, 2024.

For study-related visits, please also submit the following:

• Confirmation of the semester abroad at the host university. For stays at partner universities of JLU, confirmation of the nomination by the exchange representative or programme officer is sufficient.

For internships, please also submit the following:

• Internship confirmation letter from the host institution stating the specific duration of the internship
• For mandatory internships: Confirmation of recognition of the internship by the faculty

For final theses, please also submit the following:

• Informal letter from your supervisor at JLU confirming your thesis
• Letter of invitation from the host institution stating a specific time period
• Detailed work plan of the tasks during the time abroad with a focus on the preparation of the final thesis

For winter and summer schools, please also submit the following:

• Master's certificate (only for doctoral students)
• Certificate of study or acceptance confirmation from the doctoral committee (copy or scan is sufficient)
• Acceptance confirmation from the host institution with details of the type, duration, content, working language, fees and conditions for participation of the selected course (please attach the course agenda including the enrolment fees)
• Proof of the amount of credit points that can be earned in the specialised course (please discuss recognition with your department)

Important: If, at the time of application, there is no acceptance confirmation from the host institution, for example because the procedure has not yet been opened or completed, please contact us via email before handing in your application.

How are the scholarship holders selected?

A selection committee consisting of one representative each from the Presidential Board, departments, academic centres, students and International Office decides on the awarding of the scholarships in a quality-controlled selection process.

Which criteria are considered in the selection process?

• Conclusive and appropriate presentation of motivation
• Feasibility and plausibility of the project
• Academic achievements
• Language skills
• Personal suitability / commitment
• Intercultural and linguistic preparation of stay (intercultural training, etc.)
• Compliance with formal requirements
• Use of sustainable options in terms of transportation (arrival and departure or on-site transportation), accommodation, etc.

We would like to ask you to use sustainable travel options whenever possible.

In order to increase equal opportunities within the framework of the DAAD-PROMOs-programme, the DAAD provides additional grants for people with disabilities or chronic illnesses.

In order to secure an additional grant, an application for subsidy must be submitted per person and per mobility measure. As a subsidy grant, a maximum of 10,000 EUR can be provided for a period of up to six months to cover the additional expenditure (including expenditure for a possible accompanying person).

Persons with a degree of disability (GdB) of at least 50 or a chronic illness who participate in a mobility are eligible to apply for extra funding. Please get in contact with us very early, if you wish to apply. Please also note that you first have to be selected for a PROMOS-grant in order to be eligible to apply for extra funding.

Please find detailed information on mobility with a disability or chronic illness here .

What does the PROMOS scholarship support ?

Study trips by groups of JLU students and/or doctoral candidates for as long as 12 days abroad. In addition, one university lecturer can be supported as an accompanying person.

The grant amounts to a daily allowance of € 45 per person.

A selection committee consisting of one representative each of the Presidential Board, departments, academic centres, students and International Office decides on the allocation of the funds in a quality-controlled selection process. The selection committee will decide on the amount of funding for study trips depending on the quality and number of applications.

The PROMOS programme supports, among other things, the expansion and further development of existing cooperations. For this reason, study trips to partner universities and the involvement of partner institutions are given special consideration in the allocation of funding.

Who can submit an application for funding?

University professors and scientific staff of JLU are eligible to apply for funding. Applications by retired university teachers can only be funded in exceptional cases and for a maximum of two years after retirement.

The following criteria will be considered :

• Imparting subject-related knowledge
• Integration into the curriculum (technical preparation and follow-up of the excursion)
• Academic achievements and performance of the students on site
• Recognition of activities within the curriculum
• Intercultural preparation and follow-up of the study trip
• Opportunity to meet students and scientists on site
• Intensification or consolidation of existing cooperations or initiation of new cooperations
• Use of sustainable options in terms of transportation (arrival and departure or on-site transportation), accommodation, etc.
• Acquisition of further funds for the implementation of the excursion (e.g.: QSL)

Application documents :

• Form
• Detailed description of the study trip, including timetable and presentation of the content-related and cultural preparation and follow-up of the study trip (1-3 pages)
• List of participants
• List of accompanying persons
• Financing plan with an overview of planned expenses and additionally acquired financial resources (department, QSL etc.)

Please submit the complete application digitally, as a single PDF file only during the above-mentioned application period and by the deadline. Please send your application to:

promos-aaa@admin.uni-giessen.de

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us any time:

Meike Röhl and Selina Kruppert

International Office

E-mail

Tel. +49 641-99 12136/57

Goethestrasse 58

35390 Giessen

Generally, applicants receive feedback from the selection committee in early March or early August. If you have been selected for a PROMOS scholarship, you will receive the grant confirmation and other important information by e-mail.

Next steps:

1. Before your stay abroad:

The first document you need to submit is the Acceptance Form . Please note the deadline in your acceptance e-mail.

By filling out the acceptance form, you agree to submit all documents required for the payment of the grant to JLU's International Office in due form and time. Furthermore, you commit to pass courses that amount to at least 15 ECTS (only in case of semester abroad; the conversion of earned credits will be taken into account). In addition, you agree to return the scholarship completely or in part if you prematurely terminate your stay abroad or fail to comply with regulations.

2. During your stay abroad:

Within the first week of your stay abroad , you must have a Certificate of Arrival (CoA) signed by your contact person at the host institution (International Office, internship coordinator, etc.). Please send the signed document to us by e-mail .

If you are doing an exchange semester, please also submit a Learning Agreement with your Certificate of Arrival at the latest.

Please note that your scholarship can only be paid if you have submitted a Certificate of Arrival .

Note: If there is no possibility to get a confirmation of your stay on site, please contact us .

At the end of your stay , please have a contact person sign the Certificate of Departure (CoD) and submit it by e-mail no later than one week after your return.

3. After your stay abroad:

At the latest four weeks after the end of your stay abroad you must submit a final report . The final report should be a maximum of three A4 pages long.

In the detailed report, please provide information on:
- preparation (planning, organization and application at the host institution).
- Accommodation
- studies at the host university, experiences from internship or research stay
- daily life and free time
- conclusion (best and worst experience)

All grant holders within the category study abroad must submit their Transcript of Records at the end of their stay.

We will issue your grant certificate as soon as your documents are complete. In doing so, your participation in the PROMOS programme will be successfully completed.

We wish you a successful project abroad!

• Confirmation of recognition (mandatory internships)
• Checklist application documents
• Certificate of arrival
• Certificate of departure
• Learning Agreement

1. How high is a PROMOS grant?

A PROMOS scholarship usually consists of a monthly allowance depending on the country of your stay abroad. The lump sums are the same for all types of mobility.  Depending on the number of applicants each year, the best applications might receive a travel allowance.

2. How long can my stay be funded?

Semester abroad: 1 month to max. 4 months

Internship: 4 weeks to max. 4 months

Final thesis: 1 month to max. 4 months

Specialised courses (summer/winter school): 1 week to max. 6 weeks

3. Does the PROMOS grant also cover tuition fees?

No, the PROMOS programme does not cover tuition fees . If you go to a partner university of JLU you will not have to pay tuition fees.

4. I will be abroad at the time of the application; can I still apply for PROMOS?

Yes, if you are studying abroad during the application period, you can still apply and send your documents by e-mail to promos-aaa@admin.uni-giessen.de .

5. Is it possible to apply if the stay abroad to be funded has already been completed?

No. At the time of the application deadline, the stay abroad has to be still in process.

6. What language certificates are accepted for a PROMOS application?

DAAD language certificates , TOEFL, IELTS, TOEIC, UNicert, Cambridge, DELE, DELF, PTE. GCE A - levels (Abitur) and other proofs of language skills obtained during school are not accepted.

7. How old may the language certificate be?

Not older than 4 years.

8. What level must I achieve in the language certificate?

You do not need to achieve a certain level, but the results will be taken into account when evaluating your application.

9. How do I confirm my stay abroad?

The confirmation can be either an e-mail or a letter from the Host University or JLU confirming that you have been selected for a semester abroad.

10. Is it possible to apply for a PROMOS internship in another EU country?

No. Only internships (including PJ) in countries that are not part of the Erasmus+ programme and with a duration of 4 weeks to 4 months can be funded.

11. Is it necessary to be enrolled at the host university during the internship?

No, this is not a requirement for PROMOS funding, but you have to be enrolled at JLU for the entire period of application and the project abroad.

12. Do I have to be enrolled at a host university / host institution to write my thesis?

No, this is not a requirement for PROMOS funding.

13. Can internships at EU institutions or German institutions (German schools, Goethe Institute, embassies) outside of Europe be funded by PROMOS?

No. However, other DAAD scholarship programmes can fund internships at international organizations (EU, UN), German diplomatic missions abroad and German schools abroad. Here you can find more information on DAAD funding programmes .

14. Can conference participations be funded with PROMOS?

No. Another DAAD programme that funds conference participations. Please contact DAAD for more information.