DAAD Prime Fellowships 2026 Announced for Germany
The Postdoctoral Researchers International Mobility Experience (PRIME) 2026 is officially open for applications—and it’s calling ambitious postdocs from all disciplines who dream of international research experience without leaving Germany behind.
Funded by Germany’s Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) and administered by the DAAD, PRIME gives researchers a unique opportunity to spend a full year conducting independent research abroad while being employed by a German university—with a reintegration phase to come back home stronger, more connected, and career-ready.
Where Is It Offered?
PRIME is based in Germany, but it’s global in scope. Applicants secure an 18-month employment contract with a German university that includes:
- 12 months abroad at one or more international research institutions
- 6-month reintegration period back at the German university.
Destinations for the 12-month international phase are flexible but must comply with mobility rules: you cannot have lived or worked in your chosen host country for more than 12 months in the 3 years before the application deadline.
What’s in the Funding Package?
- Salary: You’ll be employed for 18 months at a German university under pay scale TV-L E13, with the amount based on your experience.
- Monthly Expatriate Allowance: Based on your destination and income level.
- Travel Allowance: Lump sum for you—and your spouse or children (if they stay at least a month abroad with you).
- Administrative Support: DAAD funds your salary through project funding sent to your German university.
Who’s Eligible?
To apply, you must:
- Have completed your PhD with excellent results (you can apply in the final stages, but PhD must be complete before funding starts).
- Be within 6 years of earning your PhD (parental/care periods are considered).
- Be from any nationality or faculty.
- Have at least one publication (co-authorships accepted).
- Not hold a permanent position at your proposed host university.
- Prove your commitment to continuing a career in Germany after PRIME.
- Not have resided/worked in your intended host country abroad for more than 12 of the past 36 months.
Additionally, EU nationals or those with long-term research experience in the EU can choose destinations outside the EU. Others must stay within Europe for the abroad phase.
What’s Required for the Application?
A complete application includes:
- Application form (https://www.daad.de/en/studying-in-germany/scholarships/daad-funding-programmes/prime/prime-applicants/)
- CV (gapless and detailed)
- Career plan
- Research summary and detailed proposal
- Timeline (e.g., Gantt chart)
- Letters of invitation from both German and foreign host institutions
- Commitment letter from German university to employ you for 18 months
- Proof of academic degrees with transcripts
- Publication list (highlighting 3 most relevant)
- Doctoral thesis summary (1–2 pages)
- Ethics declaration
- Language certificate (if required)
- One confidential letter of recommendation from a professor
All documents must be submitted in English via the DAAD portal in PDF format.
Application Timeline
The application process for the DAAD PRIME 2025/26 fellowship begins with the official call for applications. Interested candidates must submit their complete applications by the deadline of 29 August 2025. Following the review and selection process, applicants will be notified of the results by mid-March 2026.
A virtual orientation seminar for successful fellows will take place in March or April 2026 to prepare them for the implementation of their fellowship. The earliest possible start date for the funded position is 01 June 2026, and the latest allowable start date is 01 November 2026.
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