Applications are now open for the Heilbronn AI Fellowship, a new research fellowship programme launched by the DAAD German Academic Exchange Service and the Dieter Schwarz Foundation.
The fellowship offers outstanding international PhD candidates and postdoctoral researchers the opportunity to undertake an Artificial Intelligence research project at an eligible institution on Bildungscampus Heilbronn in Germany.
Fellows will join Heilbronn’s growing AI ecosystem, which brings together academic research, industry collaboration, digital infrastructure, technology transfer, and entrepreneurship.
The fellowship provides €2,800 per month, together with support for health, accident and personal liability insurance and a lump sum towards international travel costs.
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, meaning there is no fixed application deadline.
About the Heilbronn AI Fellowship
The Heilbronn AI Fellowship is designed to attract outstanding international researchers working in Artificial Intelligence and related fields to Heilbronn, Germany.
The programme supports research stays at eligible universities and research institutions located on Bildungscampus Heilbronn.
In addition to conducting research, fellows will become part of an ecosystem connecting academic institutions with industry and innovation partners. The programme encourages technology transfer, practical applications of AI research, and engagement with entrepreneurial and startup ecosystems.
The fellowship aims to connect international research talent with Heilbronn’s growing network of research, industry, and innovation partners.
Who Can Apply?
The fellowship is open to international PhD candidates and postdoctoral researchers who meet the programme requirements.
Eligible applicants include:
- International PhD candidates in the final year before their dissertation defense.
- International postdoctoral researchers who obtained their doctorate no more than five years ago.
- Researchers with a strong academic background in Artificial Intelligence or a related field.
- Applicants affiliated with a university or non-university research institution.
- Applicants planning to undertake a research project at an eligible host institution on Bildungscampus Heilbronn.
The fellowship is particularly suited to researchers whose work aligns with Artificial Intelligence and related areas.
What Can Be Funded?
The fellowship provides funding for a research stay in Artificial Intelligence or a related field at an eligible host institution in Heilbronn.
During the research stay, fellows will have the opportunity to work within an environment combining:
- Academic research
- Industry collaboration
- Advanced digital infrastructure
- Technology transfer
- Innovation
- Entrepreneurship
- AI applications
The programme is intended to support research that contributes to scientific knowledge while encouraging connections between research and real-world applications.
Eligible Host Institutions
Research stays can be undertaken at eligible universities and research institutions located on Bildungscampus Heilbronn.
These include:
DHBW Center for Advanced Studies
The DHBW Center for Advanced Studies offers postgraduate study and research opportunities within the Baden-Württemberg Cooperative State University network.
DHBW Heilbronn
DHBW Heilbronn is part of the Baden-Württemberg Cooperative State University and is one of the institutions participating in the Heilbronn research ecosystem.
Ferdinand-Steinbeis-Institute
The Ferdinand-Steinbeis-Institute is an interdisciplinary research institution involved in applied research and innovation.
Fraunhofer HNFIZ
Fraunhofer HNFIZ is among the research institutions eligible to host research projects under the fellowship.
Heilbronn University of Applied Sciences
Heilbronn University of Applied Sciences is another eligible institution located on Bildungscampus Heilbronn.
TUM Campus Heilbronn
The Technical University of Munich (TUM) Campus Heilbronn is also an eligible host institution for fellowship research projects.
Applicants should establish contact with an eligible host institution and develop their research project in cooperation with the proposed host.
Duration of the Fellowship
Funding is available for research stays lasting between 1 and 12 months.
The fellowship cannot normally be extended. Special circumstances may be considered individually.
The funding is available during the programme’s funding period.
Fellowship Benefits
The Heilbronn AI Fellowship provides financial support to successful fellows.
The main benefits include:
- €2,800 monthly fellowship instalment
- Payments towards health, accident and personal liability insurance
- A lump sum towards international travel costs
Additional support may also be available in certain circumstances.
These may include:
- Support for additional costs arising from a disability or chronic illness, subject to individual assessment.
- Family benefits for fellows whose funding period exceeds six months, subject to eligibility.
- Other support related to special circumstances, assessed on a case-by-case basis.
Selection Process
Selection is conducted through a single-stage evaluation based on the submitted application documents.
Applications are jointly prepared by the applicant and the proposed host institution and are evaluated by independent experts in the relevant research fields.
Experts are appointed by the DAAD, while partner institutions may propose candidates. Individuals with conflicts of interest or a supervisory relationship with an applicant are excluded from the evaluation process.
Funding is awarded only after a positive evaluation by the appointed experts.
Selection Criteria
Applications are assessed according to several key criteria.
Academic Qualification
The selection process considers:
- Academic performance
- General grade point average
- Development of academic performance
- Dissertation grade
- Course of study and doctorate
- Academic achievements after graduation
- Publications
- Lectures and conference papers
Quality of the Research Project
The proposed research project is assessed based on:
- Originality of the research proposal
- Topicality and relevance of the project
- Quality of preparation
- Suitability of the selected host institution
- Initial contact with the host institution
- Relevance for application and technology transfer
- Feasibility of the research plan
- Consistency of the proposed schedule
- Suitability of the applicant’s profile for the project
- Potential for personal and professional development
- Potential for longer-term research cooperation
The selection process also considers equal-opportunity aspects that applicants can provide information about in the application form.
Application Process
Applications for the Heilbronn AI Fellowship are submitted online through the DAAD portal.
Applicants should work with their proposed host institution when preparing the application and research project.
Step 1: Identify an Eligible Host Institution
Applicants should identify an eligible institution on Bildungscampus Heilbronn that is suitable for their proposed AI research project.
Step 2: Develop Your Research Project
Prepare a strong research proposal that clearly explains the project’s objectives, relevance, methodology, feasibility, and potential contribution.
Step 3: Prepare the Required Documents
Applicants should ensure that all required application documents are prepared according to the DAAD requirements.
Step 4: Submit the Application Online
Applications must be submitted through the DAAD online application portal.
An application is considered valid only when the required documents have been submitted through the portal by the relevant application time.
If a required document is unavailable at the time of submission, applicants should explain the reason and indicate when the document will be provided.
Application Deadline
The Heilbronn AI Fellowship operates on a rolling application basis.
There is no fixed application deadline.
Applicants should therefore review the official fellowship information and application requirements and submit their applications according to the applicable programme and funding conditions.
Important Application Information
Only one application per applicant can be considered at any given time.
Simultaneous applications cannot be processed.
Applicants should carefully review all requirements before submitting their application and ensure that the research project is appropriately connected to an eligible host institution.
Why Apply for the Heilbronn AI Fellowship?
The fellowship offers international AI researchers an opportunity to undertake research in one of Germany’s growing AI and innovation ecosystems.
By connecting researchers with universities, research institutions, industry partners, and innovation networks, the programme provides a setting for academic research as well as collaboration and technology transfer.
Researchers can use the fellowship period to advance their projects while developing connections that may contribute to longer-term research and professional opportunities.
Conclusion
The Heilbronn AI Fellowship offers outstanding international PhD candidates and postdoctoral researchers the opportunity to conduct AI research in Heilbronn, Germany, while becoming part of a growing ecosystem of academic, industry, and innovation partners.
Successful fellows can receive €2,800 per month, insurance-related support, and a travel allowance for research stays lasting 1 to 12 months.
The fellowship is open to international PhD candidates in the final year before their dissertation defense and postdoctoral researchers who obtained their doctorate no more than five years ago.
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, with no fixed deadline.
Interested researchers should review the official DAAD requirements, identify an eligible host institution, develop their research proposal, and submit their application through the DAAD portal.
Monthly for AI research. Rolling applications.
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