DAAD PRIME 2025/26 – Call for Applications (Postdoctoral Researchers International Mobility Experience)
- Omran Aburayya
- Jul 31
- 3 min read
If you are a postdoctoral researcher seeking a springboard into a long-term research career in Germany through international exposure, the DAAD PRIME Programme 2025/26 is an exceptional opportunity. Applications are now open for this prestigious program, which offers internationally mobile postdoctoral researchers temporary employment at a German university, combined with a fully funded research stay abroad and a reintegration phase back in Germany.
This is your chance to gain international research experience while securing a solid academic future in the German scientific landscape.
🎓 DAAD PRIME Program Summary
Location: Germany (with 12-month research stay abroad in any eligible country)
Host Institution: A German university of the applicant’s choice
Level: Postdoctoral
Target Group: Researchers with excellent doctoral qualifications from any country and academic field
Fields of Focus: Open to all disciplines
Value and Coverage:
Salary under German pay scale TV-L EG13 for 18 months
Monthly expatriate allowance for the 12-month stay abroad
Travel allowance (for applicant, spouse, and children)
Duration: 18 months (12 months abroad + 6 months reintegration in Germany)
Application Deadline: 29 August 2025
Fellowship Start Date: Between 1 June and 1 November 2026
Eligible to: All nationalities; researchers committed to continuing their career in Germany
✨ Program Overview
The Postdoctoral Researchers International Mobility Experience (PRIME) is a DAAD-funded fellowship program designed to support postdoctoral scientists in acquiring international research experience while being anchored in the German academic system. It offers:
A 12-month research stay abroad in one or multiple institutions (universities, research centers, or industry)
A mandatory 6-month return phase at a German university to facilitate reintegration
A formal employment contract with the German university for the entire 18-month period
Participants remain employed by their German host university and are integrated into the German social security system throughout.
🎁 Benefits
Financial Support:
Full-time salary (TV-L EG13) based on experience
Monthly expatriate allowance based on destination country and salary
Lump-sum travel allowance for researchers and eligible dependents
Institutional Support:
Mentorship from scientific hosts at both German and international institutions
Research infrastructure and administrative support from host universities
Professional Development:
International research collaboration and exposure
Reintegration into the German academic system with potential long-term career prospects
✅ Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must:
Have completed their doctorate with excellent results before the start date
Have at least one peer-reviewed publication
Be no more than six years post-PhD
Comply with the mobility rule: Not have lived or worked in the host country for more than 12 months during the past 3 years
Plan to pursue a long-term research career in Germany
Be free of permanent employment contracts with the intended German host institution
Have secured host institutions both in Germany and abroad
Be willing to complete both the international and return phases of the fellowship
Note: For researchers outside the EU, the 12-month abroad phase must be conducted in the EU.
📝 Application Procedure
Applications must be submitted via the DAAD Portal. Required documents include:
Completed online application form
CV (tabular format, no gaps)
One-page career plan
Half-page project summary (with title and keywords)
Detailed research proposal (max 7–8 pages + references)
Project timeline (e.g., Gantt chart)
Host agreement from German university (Doc 1)
Invitation letter from German host (Doc 2)
Invitation letter from foreign host
Academic certificates (PhD + one prior degree) and transcripts
List of publications (mark top 3 and explain relevance)
1–2 page summary of PhD thesis
Signed Ethics Issues Checklist (Doc 3)
Language certificate (if applicable)
One confidential letter of recommendation (ideally from PhD supervisor)
Completed application checklist (Doc 4)
All documents must be submitted in English (or with translations) as PDFs.
🔹 Timeline
Call Opens: May 2025
Application Deadline: 29 August 2025
Selection Results: Mid-March 2026
Orientation Seminar: March/April 2026
Fellowship Start: Between 1 June – 1 November 2026
🔹 Selection Criteria
Academic Record: Grades, publications, teaching, mobility
Project Quality: Relevance, originality, feasibility, institutional fit
Career Potential: Long-term research prospects in Germany
Selection is document-based (no interviews) and includes expert review and committee evaluation. Feedback is provided to all reviewed applicants.
🔹 Extra Notes
Fellows remain employed by the German host university throughout.
Foreign institutions are not funded but must offer research support.
PRIME fellows are invited to a virtual orientation seminar before departure.
Ethical compliance is strictly required and checked via documentation.
For more information, visit the DAAD PRIME FAQ Page or email the DAAD team at 📧 prime@daad.de.
📁 Resources
🔗 OFFICIAL LINK
