DAAD Postdoctoral Researchers International Mobility Experience (PRIME) Programme 2024/2025

The DAAD Postdoctoral Researchers International Mobility Experience (PRIME) Program for 2024–2025 is now accepting applications. The worldwide mobility of postdoctoral researchers at German institutions on temporary contracts is funded by DAAD PRIME. Postdocs who choose Germany as their long-term career destination are eligible for financing for an independent research stay based on a one-time job at a German institution. A required return period for reintegration into the German scientific system is also included in the award. The program’s objective is to give participants a crucial credential for a sustained career in science. Postdoctoral scholars who envision a long-term professional career in Germany are the target audience. The initiative is funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF).

Eligibility:

• Only candidates with an excellent scientific record, including at least one publication (coauthorship is accepted), will be considered. You must have completed your doctorate before the start of funding with excellent marks. If the doctorate is not graded, the decision lies with the DAAD selection committee. While not recommended, it is possible to apply in the final stages of the doctorate.
• You may apply up to six years after the (first) doctorate. Parental and care periods are considered. o Applicants must comply with the programme’s mobility rule, i.e., they are free to choose any country (except Germany) as destination for their research stay abroad, provided they have not resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in that country for more than 12 months in total during the three years preceding the application deadline of 30 August 2024. Time spent as part of a procedure for obtaining refugee status under the Geneva Convention will not be considered.
• Applicants who are EU nationals, resident citizens, or have been continuously active in research for three years’ full-time equivalent in the EU prior to the time of recruitment may spend their research stay outside of the EU. All other applicants must stay in the European Union for their 12months “abroad” phase.
• To be considered for funding, applicants living abroad are expected to state their intent to continue their research careers in Germany upon completion of the return phase.
• Applicants who already have a permanent employment contract with the prospective host institution for the intended research activity are not eligible for funding.
• Applicants must accept that the research stay abroad and the return phase to Germany are both mandatory parts of the programme.
• With your application, you agree to the “Rules of good scientific practice” and the ethical guidelines of the programme.
• Re-application is only possible once – within a maximum of 2 years – after consultation with the PRIME team. The improvements must be labelled in your project proposal and explained on an extra page.

Requirements:

• Applicants with above-average qualifications from all faculties may apply.
• They must have completed their doctorate with excellent results before the start of funding. There are no restrictions regarding nationality and current residency. However, depending on nationality and place of residence, restrictions may apply when choosing the destination country for the stay abroad (see application requirements).

Funding:

• DAAD provide funding for an 18-month employment contract at a German university to conduct a 12-month research stay abroad with a subsequent return phase to Germany. During your 12 months abroad, you may combine stays at several research institutions in one or several countries.

Funding Duration:

• DAAD provides support for 18 months: the first 12 months are spent abroad, and the remaining 6 months of the return phase are spent in Germany (funding cycle 12+6). If your science or insurance and residence law requires an alternate schedule, other models may be chosen with approval of DAAD.
• Integration into the German social security system is a prerequisite for the research stay abroad, therefore funding may have to begin with a 1-month starting phase in Germany (funding cycle 1+12+5).
• The respective local statutory insurance determines your status.

Support:

The DAAD will conclude a grant agreement with the respective German university covering the costs for the regular salary and the monthly expatriate allowance.

• Salary: temporary 18-month employment contract at a German university according to pay scale TV-L EG 13. Your exact pay is determined by the universities based on your previous work experience.
• Expatriate allowance: A monthly expatriate allowance for the research stay abroad is based on an area classification of the destination and the gross income of the fellows.
• Travel allowance: PRIME Fellows receive the DAAD lump sum travel subsidy for postdoctoral scientists. Spouses (either by marriage or according to German law on civil partnerships) and children are also eligible if they accompany the fellow for at least one month during the research stay abroad. The travel allowance is not part of the grant agreement with the German university but is paid directly by DAAD.

Click here to apply