Funded Opportunity in Germany: DAAD PRIME Fellowship 2025/26

Are you a postdoctoral researcher looking to build a long-term academic career in Germany? Applications are now open for the DAAD PRIME Fellowship 2025/26 – a prestigious fully funded research opportunity supported by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF).

This 18-month fellowship offers talented international researchers the chance to conduct a 12-month research stay abroad at a host institution, followed by a 6-month reintegration phase at a German university. It’s designed to support scholars aiming to establish themselves in the German academic system.

Fellowship Overview

Host Country: Germany
Research Locations: Abroad + Germany
Duration: 18 months
- 12 months abroad
- 6 months in Germany
Funding: Fully Funded
Deadline to Apply: 29 August 2025

Financial Support

The DAAD PRIME Fellowship covers:

A full employment contract with a German university.
Monthly salary: €5,000 – €6,400 (pre-tax).
Monthly living allowance during the research stay abroad.
One-time travel allowance for international relocation.

Fellowship Structure

12-Month Research Phase Abroad
Conduct independent research at any suitable international institution.
6-Month Reintegration Phase in Germany
Continue your work and integrate into the German academic environment.

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for the PRIME Fellowship:

Open to researchers of all nationalities.
Must have completed a PhD (with excellent results) before the funding starts. Final-year PhD students may also apply.
Applicants should apply within six years of completing their doctorate.
Must have at least one peer-reviewed publication.
Must clearly demonstrate a long-term academic career plan in Germany.
Must not have resided or worked in the chosen foreign host country for more than 12 months in the past 3 years.
Must obtain confirmed invitations from:
- A German host university (for reintegration phase)
- A foreign research institution (for international research phase)