PRIME Fellowship 2025/26 in Germany by DAAD (Fully Funded)

Applications are now invited for DAAD PRIME Fellowship 2025/26 in Germany. The fully funded fellowship is a great chance for foreign postdoctoral researchers to carry out independent research at one of the German universities. PRIME Fellowship is for 18 months duration with 12 months of foreign research and compulsory 6-month re-entry phase in a German university to facilitate smooth return to the German science community. The invitation is open to applicants from around the globe. It is especially aiming at postdoctoral researchers who aim to become settled in a regular professional career in Germany. DAAD PRIME Fellowship is sponsored by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF). For more details on requirements for the PRIME Fellowship, economic advantages, and application, kindly read below.

Information About PRIME Fellowship 2025/26 in Germany

Host Country: Germany

Location: Germany & Abroad

Duration: 18 Months

Benefits: Fully Funded

Deadline: 29th August 2025

Economic Advantages

The Fellowship Offers:

An Employment Contract.

Potential Salary range of € 5,000 – € 6,400 before tax.

Monthly Stipend for foreign stay for 12 Months.

One-time Travel Stipend.

Structure of Fellowship

Total Duration: 18 Months

12 Months: The 12-month research foreign stay period of the DAAD PRIME Fellowship can be spent at any appropriate research host institution outside Germany.

6 Months: The 6-month return obligation period of the DAAD PRIME Fellowship program is completed at a German university.

Eligibility Criteria

Open to All Nationality: You can apply from anywhere in the world.

Doctorate Completion: You would have already finished a doctorate prior to the start of the funding period. (Applications could be submitted if you are close to finishing your doctorate.)

Post-Doctorate Time: You may apply within six years of receiving your first doctorate. Parental or care breaks are included.

Publication Requirement: You must have one peer-reviewed publication.

Germany Long-Term Career: The only requirement in this case is clear intent to engage in your long-term academic professional career in Germany.

Mobility Rule (Host Country Abroad): You should not have worked and lived in the host country abroad of your choice for over 12 months cumulatively during the three years preceding the application date.

Host Institution Commitments: Your responsibility is to obtain and confirm firm commitments (e.g., letters of invitation) from a German host university and a foreign host institution covering the whole period of the program.

Timeline & Cycle

Selection: mid-March 2026

New fellows' Orientation meeting: March/April 2026 (remote)

Earliest start date of Fellowship: 01 June 2026

Latest start date of Fellowship: 01 November 2026

Documents required

Online Application Form

CV

Career Plan

Abstract for the Research Project

Full Research Proposal

Time Schedule

Commitment Letter (German host)

Invitation Letter (Foreign host)

Invitation Letter (Host country Deutschland)

Degree Certificates + Transcripts

List of Publications

Summary of PhD Thesis in Brief

Signed Ethics Checklist

Language Certificate

Letter of Recommendation.