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.
Please note that, due to budget cuts, the grant consists of the above mentioned monthly lump sums only. Travel costs and tuition fees cannot be covered through PROMOS.

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 4 months in the following funding lines:

1. Semester abroad in countries outside the Erasmus programme countries (minimum 30 days to max. 4 months)

The programme funds study abroad semesters only at partner universities of JLU, for a duration of up to four months. Applicants require confirmation of the host university or nomination letter from the home university at the time of application.

2. Internships abroad outside the Erasmus+ Programme countries (minimum 30 days to max. 3 months)

The programme funds internships abroad, e.g. at schools, universities, hospitals, research institutions, NGOs, private companies, and so on. Internships that involve remuneration of €800/month or higher, as well as internships that were arranged via a placement agency for a fee, are excluded from funding.
Applicants require confirmation of the host institution at the time of application.

3. Research projects to prepare the BA or MA thesis (worldwide) (minimum 30 days to max. 3 months)

The programme funds research activities abroad that have the purpose of completing the bachelor's or master's thesis only at partner universities of JLU. Applicants require confirmation of the host institution at the time of application. The supervisor of the thesis must explicitly support the research project abroad.

4. Winter and Summer schools /specialised courses (worldwide)

The programme funds the participation in summer and winter schools, including countries that are part of the Erasmus+ Programme , only at partner universities of JLU . At the time of the application, applicants require confirmation about their participation in the according winter or summer school. Ph.D. 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 Note: If your stay is eligible for funding under another DAAD scholarship programme , such as “Lehramt.International” or “Kurzstipendien für Praktika im Ausland”, we cannot accept an application for PROMOS. Please find out whether one of the programmes is suitable for you and apply first (or in parallel if necessary) for the appropriate DAAD programme. Should you receive a rejection in the corresponding DAAD programme your stay might be eligible for PROMOS funding.

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 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):

• Enrollment Certificate of JLU
• Online application (Please select the correct application form "Application for a PROMOS scholarship", otherwise your application will be automatically excluded from the selection procedure).
• Letter of motivation (in German or English, approx. 1-2 DIN A4 page/s)
• Curriculum vitae without photo
• Proof of academic achievement or Flex-Now printout . Master students must submit a copy of their Bachelor's certificate.
• Language certificate indicating a CEFR language level (you are welcome to use the offer of the ZfbK for DAAD language tests ). The test should not date back more than four years. If you submit the language certificate after the deadline, you will have to include a registration for a language test in your application, otherwise your application is considered incomplete. If the working language is not the same as the national language, a language certificate of the national language may also be submitted. Language certificates can be handed in until 20 December 2024.
• Cost overview of the expected expenses during the stay abroad (e.g. accommodation, groceries, transportation, etc.). Please state whether you are receiving or have applied for further financial support (e.g. other scholarships, public or private foundation, Auslands-BAföG, etc.). If you are doing an internship, please state whether and to what extent the internship will be compensated.
  

Please pay attention to the specified order of the documents to be submitted and use the Checklist to make sure your application is complete.

For semester abroad at JLU partner universities, please also submit the following:

• Confirmation of the semester abroad at the host university. The nomination letter from JLU is sufficient if at the time of application you have not yet received an official letter of acceptance.

For internships, please also submit the following:

• Internship confirmation letter from the host institution including the specific duration of the internship, language of instruction and salary, if applicable.

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)

Late applications can only be accepted by prior arrangement. If, at the time of application, you have not yet received confirmation of acceptance from the host institution, e.g. because the procedure has not yet been opened or completed, please inform us by e-mail before submitting your application documents .

Please do not hesitate to use of our information and counselling services in advance to clarify any questions, e.g. the PROMOS information event and the telephone consultation hours .

How are the scholarship holders selected?

An internal selection committee of the International Office decides on the awarding of the scholarships in a quality-controlled selection process.

Which criteria are considered in the selection process?

• Submitting a formally correct and complete application within the deadline
• Conclusive and appropriate presentation of (academic!) motivation/selection of country and host institution
• Academic achievements
• Language skills, intercultural and linguistic preparation of stay (intercultural training, etc.)
• Personal suitability/commitment
• Sustainability aspects (transportation, on-site transportation, accommodation, etc).

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 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 ?

Starting in 2025, only excursions outside of Europe/outside the Erasmus+ Programme countries can be funded through PROMOS. If you are planning a stay in an Erasmus+ partner/programme country, please contact us about funding opportunities via Erasmus+ Blended Mobility at: europa-aaa@admin.uni-giessen.de.

Study trips by groups of JLU students and/or doctoral candidates for up to 5 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.

An internal selection committee of the 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.

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 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.

Generally, applicants receive feedback from the selection committee two to three months after the application deadline. If you have been selected for a PROMOS scholarship, you will receive the grant confirmation and other important information by e-mail.

Documents to be submitted include:

1. Before you leave:

a) DAAD Grant Agreement: You will receive a personalized Grant Agreement with your grant confirmation, which you must sign and submit by e-mail by the specified deadline. With your signature, you commit to submit all documents required for the payment of the PROMOS-Scholarship to the International Office unsolicited in due time; all other regulations and their consequences can be found in the scholarship agreement.

b) Confirmation of Enrolment at JLU: For the academic year in which your stay takes place.

2. At the beginning of your stay abroad:

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 .

b) Learning Agreement (LA): If you are completing an exchange semester, please submit a Learning Agreement. Please note that you must complete a total of at least 15 ECTS credits (the conversion of the credit points earned is taken into account).

Please note that your scholarship can only be disbursed once we have received the Certificate of Arrival (and the Learning Agreement).

3. Upon your return to JLU:

a) Certificate of Departure (CoD): The CoD signed by the host institution must be submitted by e-mail no later than one week after the end of your stay. If the total time of your stay abroad differs from the original information you gave us, your grant total might be recalculated.

b) Final Report : The final report must be submitted by e-mail no later than four weeks after the end of your stay. The experience report should be a maximum of three A4 pages long and contain the following information: Preparation of the stay (planning, organisation, accommodation), application to the host university and for PROMOS, personal and academic experiences at the host institution and in the host country, everyday life and leisure time, conclusion.

c) Transcript of Records (ToR): If you are completing an exchange semester, please submit your Transcript of Records (ToR).

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!

• Checklist application documents
• Certificate of arrival
• Certificate of departure
• Learning Agreement

1. How much is the PROMOS-Scholarship?

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: minimum 30 days to max. 4 months

Internship: minimum 30 days to max. 3 months

Final thesis: minimum 30 days to max. 3 months

Specialised courses (summer/winter school): 1 week to max. 4 weeks

3. Does the PROMOS-Scholarship 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. 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.

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

We do accept a variety of standardised language certificates, such as DAAD language certificates , TOEFL, IELTS, TOEIC, UNicert, Cambridge, DELE, DELF, PTE. GCE A - levels (Abitur) and other proof of language skills obtained during school are not accepted.

6. How old may the language certificate be?

Not older than 4 years.

7. 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.

8. 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.

9. 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 30 days to 4 months can be funded.

10. 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.

11. Do I have to be enrolled at the host university to write my thesis?

No, this is not a requirement for PROMOS funding; see question 10.

12. Can funding be provided for stays that are advertised for funding by other, specific DAAD programmes?

Under certain circumstances. You must always apply to the appropriate DAAD programme first, e.g. "Teaching International" or "Short Scholarships for Internships Abroad". If you are rejected from the relevant DAAD programme, your stay may be eligible for PROMOS funding. Information on other DAAD scholarship programmes can be found here: DAAD funding programmes .

13. Can conference participations be funded with PROMOS?

No. There is another DAAD programme that funds conference participations. Please contact DAAD for more information.

14. Is it possible to apply as an international student?

Yes, students without German citizenship, who are enrolled at JLU with the aim of obtaining a German degree, can also apply for PROMOS. For students without German citizenship, however, stays in their home country are excluded if they have lived there in the last 5 years. The home country is always the country in which the student has lived for at least the past five years.

Contact us

Meike Röhl
Phone.: ++49 (0)641-99 12136

Office hours:

Mo. and Wed. 10:00-12:00
Thu. 14:00-16:00

Selina Kruppert
Phone: +49(0)641-99 12157

Telephone consultation hours:

Tuesdays 14:00-16:00

E-Mail