German DAAD GROW Scholarship in Germany (€2,150/Month Research Funding)

GROW (Global Research Opportunities for the South) is a DAAD programme financed by funds from the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). Its stated objective is to fund short research stays in Germany as well as preparatory and cooperation visits to support development-related research projects and the establishment of international scientific collaborations.

The programme is aimed at early career researchers as well as established academics and scientists from countries on the OECD DAC list, with Sub-Saharan Africa being a primary focus and Latin America and Asia additionally envisaged as target regions. It applies to doctoral candidates, postdoctoral researchers, university teachers, and established academics and scientists who are employed at a university or a research institute.

Applications are reviewed by an independent selection committee of specialist scientists. For preparatory and cooperation visits (Programme Line 1), selection focuses on academic qualification, the quality and development relevance of the proposal, host institution choice, academic coordination, and the feasibility of the plan, alongside potential and sustainability. For research stays (Programme Line 2), selection considers academic grades and achievements, proposal quality (including transfer concept and host choice), feasibility and time plan, and the applicant’s potential and motivation, with due consideration of equal opportunities.

Funding duration depends on the programme line and cannot be split into multiple segments. Programme Line 1 lasts 1 to 2 months and Programme Line 2 lasts 2 to 6 months. The funding period must begin in (in July/August depending on programme region) and be completed by 31 January; scholarships cannot be extended. After completion, scholarship holders are expected to apply gained knowledge and contacts at their home institutions and contribute to research, teaching, knowledge transfer, and institutional development.

• Applicant category: doctoral candidates, postdoctoral researchers, university teachers, and established academics and scientists.
• Country: applicant must come from a country on the OECD DAC list (primarily Sub-Saharan Africa; also Latin America and Asia).
• Employment status: applicants must be employed at a university or a research institute.
• Doctoral candidates: the start of the doctorate should not be more than 3 years ago at the application deadline.
• Postdoctoral definition: postdoctoral researchers are defined as having completed the PhD no more than four years before the application deadline.
• Residence restriction: the application cannot be considered if the applicant has been resident in Germany for longer than 15 months at the application deadline.
• Exclusion: applicants are not eligible if they are already in Germany at the time of application.
• Exclusion: applicants are not eligible if they are conducting their entire doctoral or postdoctoral research at a German higher education institution.
• Multiple funding: applicants may receive funding in the GROW programme more than once per academic stage if there are sufficient technical grounds, but only once per year.
• Encouragement groups: women, socioeconomically disadvantaged individuals, and persons from disadvantaged regions or groups are especially encouraged to apply.

• Monthly scholarship payments: 1,400 euros per month for doctoral candidates and postdocs.
• Monthly scholarship payments: 2,000 euros per month for assistant professors and lecturers.
• Monthly scholarship payments: 2,150 euros per month for full professors.
• Insurance payments towards health, accident and personal liability insurance cover.
• Travel allowance.
• Additional benefits (under certain circumstances): subsidy may be provided for justified additional costs incurred abroad due to disability or chronic illness that are necessary to realise the project in Germany and are not covered by a third party; whether and to what extent depends on individual review.
• Third-party benefits: benefits from third parties are partially credited towards the DAAD scholarship.

1. Use a desktop computer to access the application portal, as usage with mobile devices is possible only to a limited extent.
2. In the application form, indicate the desired funding period.
3. Submit the application through the DAAD scholarship application process referenced on the programme page.

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