Germany
70 Open Study/Research Award
Accepted Degree Levels
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Grant PeriodFall StartGrant Length10 Months |
Award Type
Award Profile
Fulbright Germany's study and research program facilitates research and studies for two academic semesters at a German university or relevant non-university institution, such as research labs or archives. The program aims to strengthen scientific, academic and cultural relations between Germany and the United States and to provide grantees with access to Germany’s excellent higher education system, outstanding infrastructure, and dynamic research ecosystem. During the grant period, grantees broaden their academic, scientific, or artistic skills as degree-seeking, non-degree students, or researchers.
Fulbright Germany strives to embed Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility (DEIA) in all aspects of its work. Applications are open to all individuals regardless of their race, color, national or ethnic origin, age, religion or belief, socio-economic status, disability, sexual orientation, gender, or gender identity. Fulbright Germany seeks and encourages the involvement of people from traditionally underrepresented communities in its programs, activities and partnerships, and staffing and operations.
Please refer to the Fulbright Germany website for detailed information on the grant benefits.
To find out more, please visit:
https://www.study-in-germany.de/en/ or https://www.research-in-germany.org/en
Grant Length
Grant Period
8-10 months for Bachelor's and Master's Degree Levels: Grants begin in mid-September, usually with an orientation meeting in Germany.
6–10 months for Doctoral Research candidates: Candidates applying for a grant of less than 8 months are asked to please include the grant length in their Project Title within the application, indicating the number of months in parentheses. For example, “Fulbright Research Proposal Title (6).”
Grants begin in mid-September 2025, usually with an orientation meeting in Germany. A later start may be considered if before April 2026.
Orientation
Pre-Departure and In-Country Orientation: Grantees will participate in an online pre-departure orientation meeting and also participate in an in-country in-person orientation meeting held by Fulbright Germany.
Candidate Profile
Applicants are welcome from all academic fields. They must have completed at least a bachelor's degree at the start of the grant. Academic qualifications should be specific to a clear and feasible project or study plan.
Candidates who have strong intercultural and leadership skills, and who have experience with and motivation for community engagement, are particularly encouraged. Adaptability, resilience, and openness are a requirement.
Further the candidates should have:
- Rigor in scholarly enquiry and academic or professional excellence;
- Strong reasons for wishing to pursue the proposed project in Germany and at a particular institution;
- A desire to gain a better understanding of the peoples and cultures of their host country;
- Commitment to the community through volunteer and extra-curricular activities;
- Flexibility and dynamism necessary for active involvement in the host country.
What is life like for Fulbrighters in the host country?
When not tending to the terms of their grant, Fulbrighters in Germany have plenty of time to invest how they please. Many grantees become involved with or even host local groups, such as for further language exchange or any variety of outdoor activities, building enriching connections beyond their institution. Well connected by rail and bus, grantees in Germany have the chance to experience much more than their host city, particularly after the introduction of the Deutschland ticket.
Some cultural differences, such as Ruhezeit on Sundays or the pedestrian culture, are immediately apparent for grantees coming to Germany. However, over the course of their exchange, Fulbrighters become intimately acquainted with the full range of both similarities and differences between life at home and Germany.
Eligibility
4 Months
Applicants already enrolled in a master’s program in Germany, or who have already begun their academic program in Germany, are not eligible for Fulbright funding.
Degree Level of Applicant
- Bachelor's
- Master's
- Doctoral
Special Application Instructions
In addition to submitting Supplemental Materials, all semi-finalists in the field of music, fine arts and performing arts for Germany must submit separate additional materials.
Fulbright Germany cooperates with DAAD for the selection in the fields of music, fine arts and performing arts. We therefore refer to the website of the DAAD for their requirements:
You will have to upload your additional musical recordings/work samples to the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) media database. You will receive a link directly via the DAAD portal to upload your work samples after you have been selected as a semi-finalist from IIE. For questions specifically regarding these additional materials and requirements, please contact the Fulbright Commission at americanprograms@fulbright.de.
Foreign Language Proficiency
German language skills need to meet the required language proficiency to pursue the envisaged project.
Many German universities offer master's programs in English, and most research at German universities or research institutions is conducted in English. However, in dealing with German administration and authorities, and to cope with everyday life in their host community, candidates should have at least basic knowledge of German. All applicants should refresh their German language skills during the months before arriving in Germany, and they are encouraged to take additional courses offered at their potential German host institutions.
Fulbright Proposal Types
Yes
Yes
Affiliation
Letter required for independent study or research at deadline
Letter required at deadline
Applicants are responsible for arranging their own affiliation with higher education or research host institutions in Germany.
Before beginning the application process, candidates should research the best match to pursue research or to study, taking into consideration the faculty, achievements, publications, and research of the relevant research institute or university department, as well as their locations.
All applicants are required to solicit a meaningful letter of invitation/support from their host institution and include it in their Fulbright application. The letter should make clear reference to the applicant's project, explain the institution's motivation for hosting the applicant, confirm the feasibility of the project, and outline the cooperation and support which the host institution will offer to help achieve the applicant's goals. The invitation letter is a prerequisite for the affiliation/matriculation with the host institution as a visiting/non-degree-seeking student or researcher. The host institution (either university or research institute) must also provide documentation of affiliated student/researcher status in order for the grantee to apply and receive the required residence permit for Germany.
In general, candidates are recommended to consult with the international offices of their intended host institutions regarding matriculation/affiliation requirements for Fulbright grantees.
Applicants applying for a Master’s Program are also required to include a host letter to show that they basically fulfill the admission requirements.
Affiliation Fees/Tuition
Award Benefits
- A stipend broadly based on the cost of living in the host country. These funds may be used by the grantee to support housing, meals, and incidental costs during the grant period.
- International travel benefits
- Accident & sickness health benefits
- 24/7 mental health support line for urgent and non-urgent situations
- 12 months of non-competitive eligibility (NCE) hiring status within the federal government
Stipend Amount
This is an estimated amount and is subject to change. The financial terms of the grant will be confirmed in the grant document issued after selection.
Doctoral candidates who have ABD status by grant start are eligible to receive EUR 1400/month.
One-Time Allowances
This is an estimated amount and is subject to change. The financial terms of the grant will be confirmed in the grant document issued after selection.
- Housing allowance (separate from living stipend)
Additionally, one-time general allowance of EUR 600
Additional Grant Benefits
- Health insurance (in addition to ASPE)
- Mid-year seminar
Estimated Cost of Living
Consider using cost of living comparison websites to gain a better understanding of the potential costs in your host country.
While American Fulbrighters in Germany will be pleased to discover an overall lower cost of living, depending on where one lives, these costs may differ widely. Generally, those based in smaller towns find the stipend is more than sufficient for covering their monthly expenses including some for leisure activities. However, for grantees based in larger cities such as Berlin, Hamburg, and Munich, higher costs of living, especially for housing, mean the stipend is likely to be insufficient. Although in these cases the stipend should cover all or the majority of necessities, individuals based in a city should consider beforehand if they can feasibly manage to cover whatever their stipend does not.
The majority of grantees in Germany pay between EUR 300-500 per month for housing (although higher in cities), with nominal costs for auxiliary bills. For example, grantees can expect to pay as little EUR 20 a month for a cell phone plan. Depending on lifestyle, EUR 200 a month should comfortably cover food expenses.
Dependents
EUR 276/month and German health insurance coverage
Housing Arrangements
Applicants are responsible for their own housing arrangements and costs.
Fulbright Program Management Contact
Fulbright Commission/U.S. Embassy Website
University Matriculation
All designated grantees (including research fellows and arts grantees) must be officially affiliated/associated with the host institution, be it a research institute or one of the 400 accredited German academic institutions. This may either be a full student (degree or non-degree seeking) matriculation or a researcher status. The matriculation at a university facilitates access to university resources, public transportation passes, health insurance, and, most importantly, the residence permit/visa.
Affiliation with a research institute provides the candidates with office and lab space, computer facilities, internet connection, library access, and help with securing a residency permit/visa.
The host institution (either university or research institute) must provide documentation of affiliated student/researcher status in order for the grantee to apply and receive the required residence permit/visa for Germany.
Master's Programs: In Germany, master's degrees typically require a bachelor's in the same or a closely related field. Applicants who wish to enroll in a German master's program are advised to research the admission requirements of their preferred program to make sure they are eligible for admission and fulfill all necessary application requirements. Applicants may need to submit their master's program application before knowing if they will receive a Fulbright grant. Official admission needs to be confirmed by the start of the grant.
Candidates who seek admission in a two years master’s degree program in Germany need to finance living expenses themselves in the second year.
Fulbright Commission/U.S. Embassy Contact
Additional Online Resources
What is Fulbright Germany?: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dImOplb6hWk