PROMOS

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• January 1, 2026 – December 31, 2026

Regularly enrolled KIT students are eligible to apply if they:

• hold German citizenship or
• are treated as equivalent to German citizens pursuant to Section 8(1)(2) et seq., (2), (2a), and (3) of the Federal Training Assistance Act (BAföG) (in this context, the wording of the law applies, available at: www.das-neue-bafoeg.de) or
• are enrolled as students or university graduates without German citizenship in a degree program at a German university with the target of earning a degree from that German university.

The program is open to all fields of study.

Doctoral researchers are not eligible for funding. 

For non-German citizens, stays in their home country are excluded. If non-German citizens have not lived in their home country for more than 5 years, their current country of residence—i.e., Germany—is considered their home country. 

Students must apply independently for a place in a program at a foreign university or for an internship and may then (at the same time) apply for the PROMOS scholarship.

A maximum of one stay per person per academic phase may be funded.

In individual cases, it is permissible to apply for both the PROMOS scholarship and the Baden-Württemberg Scholarship at the same time. Please apply for the Baden-Württemberg Scholarship first, if you are eligible. Please send an email to promos∂intl.kit.edu to inquire whether an additional application for the PROMOS scholarship is possible in your case.

• The application deadlines for stays beginning on or after January 1, 2026, are:

  • December 1, 2025,

  • May 1, 2026, and

  • September 1, 2026.

• Applications may also be submitted after the start of the stay abroad, provided that the stay has not yet ended by the application deadline.

• The first application deadline for stays in 2027 is expected to be December 1, 2026.

Scholarship recipients receive what is known as a partial scholarship, consisting of scholarship installments for the stay and/or mobility. The total amount of funding depends on the destination country, the duration of the stay, and the commission’s evaluation of the application.

You can find the country-specific flat rates in the Appendix: Funding Rates.

• If a stay in multiple countries is planned within a single funding period, the first country of entry is considered the determining factor.
• Whether you receive a partial grant for mobility and/or living expenses depends on the evaluation of your application (see below).

The funding period generally corresponds to the duration of your stay, provided it does not exceed 6 months.

• The minimum funding period is one month.
• The maximum funding (subject to the Commission’s decision) includes: a monthly partial residency grant for up to six months, as well as a one-time partial mobility grant (travel allowance).
• Funding generally begins on the first day of your stay. Exceptions apply to stays that began before the start of the application period/funding period (see above) (e.g., stay began in November 2023; but the application/funding period does not begin until January 2024; i.e., funding is available starting January 1, 2024)

The commission’s evaluation consists of 4 levels.

• Level 1: Partial mobility grant (fixed amount for the respective country) and up to 6 monthly allowances (monthly allowances set for each country) depending on the individual duration of stay
• Level 2: Funding of up to 6 monthly lump sums (monthly lump sums set for each country), depending on the individual duration of stay
• Level 3: Waiting list
• Level 4: No scholarship

Tuition fees cannot be covered by the scholarship funds. We recommend that you seek other sources of funding for these costs if necessary.

The university may apply for special funding of up to 10,000 euros for PROMOS grantees with disabilities if the expenses are related to their stay abroad and other responsible agencies (e.g., social security providers) do not provide financial support. Applications can be submitted through the International Students Office to the program-managing department at the DAAD and must include the following documents:

• A copy of a disability certificate (degree of disability at least 50 percent)
• A tabular breakdown of estimated expenses
• Proof that no other responsible agency is providing financial support

1. Fill out the application form on our online application portal.
2. Compile your application materials in German or English and upload them via the online portal.
   • Statement of purpose (max. 1 page, including details on your studies plan, lectures, research or internship plans abroad, and, if applicable, the exchange program for which you have applied at KIT)
   • For internships/research stays: Description/list of tasks (approx. 1/2 page)
   • Resume in table format (max. 2 pages)
   • High school diploma
   • Complete, up-to-date transcript of grades covering your entire academic record to date (including your bachelor’s degree, even if it was earned at another university, and covering all periods of study even if you changed majors)
   • Proof of language proficiency in the national language(s) of the host country or in English (if you will be attending lectures in English): at least A2
     • TOEFL, DAAD language certificate, or other credentials that clearly indicate your language proficiency level according to the CEFR,
     • Current transcript showing a language course (please highlight it clearly),
     • High school diploma, if the language was studied throughout high school;
     • Language proficiency not properly documented will not be considered
   • Proof of Admission
     • Credentials for admission to a foreign university or
     • Confirmation of nomination regarding acceptance for the planned study abroad program or
     • Confirmation of academic supervision or
     • Confirmation of an internship placement (for funding of internships, a confirmation from the internship provider or employer, or an internship agreement signed by both parties, is required, specifying the nature of the work, the duration of the internship, and, if applicable, the internship stipend)
   • Statement regarding other sources of funding for the stay abroad (the form will be made available to you on the portal during the application process)
   • Other documents, max. 3 documents
     • Under “Other Documents,” you can attach documents to your application that highlight your suitability and motivation for your stay abroad, e.g.,
       • Proof of internships
       • Credentials for volunteer work, social engagement, participation in university groups, etc.
     • Please note that the documents must pertain to activities since the start of your studies; earlier periods will not be considered.
3. Check and confirm that all documents are complete.
4. Submit your application via the portal.  

Due to the high number of applicants, incomplete applications cannot be considered. Credentials or other documents received after the application deadline cannot be considered.

We are happy to answer any individual questions: promos∂intl.kit.edu

The following criteria are decisive for the selection:

• Accomplishments: approx. 50%
• Foreign language skills relevant to the study abroad program: approx. 10%
• Purpose of the planned stay in relation to the student’s future academic path and motivation: approx. 30%
• Community, volunteer, and social engagement: approx. 10%

The selection commission meets approximately 6 to 8 weeks after the application deadline. Only then will it be possible to provide information regarding the outcome of an application, which you will receive immediately. Please refrain from making inquiries before then.

If, at the end of the fiscal year, funding becomes available through the procedure of moving up from the waiting list (e.g., due to a last-minute withdrawal from the study abroad program or an increase in funding by the DAAD),  funding becomes available for individuals on the waiting list, candidates will be considered according to their ranking and informed of a possible supplementary award.

As a selected scholarship recipient, you will receive an email notifying you of the final decision approximately 6 to 8 weeks after the application deadline.

Next, you’ll need to reconfirm your stay details on our online portal, provide additional information regarding the administration of the scholarship, and complete our safety briefing. You have a maximum of 2 weeks to do this.

After we have reviewed the information you provided, your scholarship agreement will be made available for download on the portal.

• Please download it and fill it out.
• You must then print it and sign it.
• By signing the agreement, you agree to:
  • to remain enrolled as a student at KIT for the duration of the scholarship,
  • to immediately notify both the host and home universities in writing if you need to reschedule, interrupt, or terminate your stay abroad,
  • to comply with the combination rules (see below) throughout the duration of the scholarship,
  • to provide information about KIT to interested parties during your stay at the host university. To do so, please register your interest with the International Students Office at the host university upon your arrival and participate in campus events, such as International Fairs.
• Please note the KIT scholarship guidelines, which also apply to the PROMOS scholarship.
• Please submit the completed and signed scholarship agreement to the International Students Office within 2 weeks. Electronic copies cannot be accepted.
• Once we receive the scholarship agreement, we will provide you with a countersigned copy as soon as possible.

Payment of the scholarship will begin no earlier than 4 weeks after the scholarship agreement is received by the IStO or 2 weeks before the start of your stay. The scholarship is typically paid out in one or two installments.

Once your stay has begun, you are required to keep us informed about the progress of your stay.

• Within 2 weeks of arriving at the host institution, please have the Certificate of Arrival (CoA) form—which you can download from the application portal—filled out and upload the completed form back to our application portal.
• Shortly before your departure, please have the Certificate of Departure (CoD) form—which you can download from the application portal—filled out and upload the completed form back to our application portal. The document must be uploaded to the portal no later than 2 weeks after the end of your stay.
• After your stay abroad ends, you must write a report and upload it to our application portal within one month of the end of your stay. You can find the report form on our application portal. We will then make the reports available to other students via our website, provided you give your consent.
• Documents not submitted by the deadline may result in the full scholarship amount being reclaimed.
• Changes to the duration of your stay will result in an adjustment to the scholarship amount.

After reviewing all documents related to your stay, we will notify you if there have been any final changes to your scholarship amount (additional payment/repayment) and make a scholarship certificate available to you on our portal.

If you have previously applied for the PROMOS scholarship (regardless of whether your application was successful) and would now like to apply again, you are welcome to do so. Please note that a maximum of one stay per person per academic phase can be funded.

If your stay extends beyond the one-year limit and the funding period, there is the possibility of follow-up funding. To qualify, you must apply for the new scholarship year by the first application deadline for the following year (expected to be December 1).

Combination Options with Other Scholarships

• Scholarships from private sources may be received without restriction in conjunction with PROMOS scholarships, with the exception of the scholarships listed on this page.
• Baden-Württemberg Scholarship (BWS) and PROMOS: BWS and PROMOS scholarships may not be received simultaneously. Please always check first to see if you are eligible to apply for the BWS.
• German public scholarships and PROMOS scholarships: Dual funding from German public sources is not eligible for support. If stays abroad are funded by German public funds, the purpose of the stay is the determining factor. This means that funding through PROMOS is not possible if the same purpose is already being funded by German public funds.
• “Erasmus+” and PROMOS: Study abroad programs and internships cannot be funded through PROMOS if funding through “Erasmus+” is available.
• BAföG benefits and PROMOS scholarships: PROMOS scholarship recipients must report their scholarships to the relevant office for BAföG abroad.
• DAAD Individual Scholarships and PROMOS Scholarships: DAAD Individual Scholarships and PROMOS Scholarships may not be received simultaneously.
• Deutschlandstipendium and PROMOS Scholarship: The Deutschlandstipendium and PROMOS funding may be received simultaneously without restriction.
• “Down Under” Grant for PROMOS Scholarship Recipients: For Australia, there is the option to apply for a grant from the Ranke-Heinemann Institute in addition to PROMOS. More information.
• Fulbright Travel Grant for PROMOS Scholarship Recipients: For the U.S., there is the option to apply for a travel grant from the Fulbright Commission in addition to PROMOS. More information.

Students are required to disclose their PROMOS funding to other public German scholarship providers.

If the student receives two positive decisions—i.e., for PROMOS and a scholarship that cannot be combined with it—the scholarship recipient must choose one of the two funding options.

Paid and Unpaid Remuneration and Part-Time Work

Paid part-time work may be undertaken during the term of the scholarship. However, it must not negatively impact the purpose of the stay abroad and must be disclosed in the application.

If you are employed by KIT concurrently with or shortly before receiving the scholarship, you must inform the IStO.

Paid and unpaid benefits (travel allowances, free housing, etc.) do not affect the scholarship amount but should be disclosed in the application.

Any changes after the application is submitted or during the stay must be reported to the IStO.

DAAD Group Insurance

You have the option of obtaining international insurance (combined health, accident, and personal liability insurance) through the DAAD’s group plan.
For information on rates, visit: https://www.daad.de/versicherung/de/.
Insurance can now only be purchased online: https://portal.daad.de
If you have any questions about international insurance, please contact the DAAD Insurance Office by email: Versicherungsstelle∂daad de
Note: Please be aware that any insurance benefits must be paid for by the grant recipients themselves.

Significance of Travel Warnings from the Federal Foreign Office for PROMOS Scholarships
Please note that there must be no travel warning issued by the Federal Foreign Office for the country or region in question. PROMOS scholarship recipients should familiarize themselves with the travel and safety advisories issued by the Federal Foreign Office before departure and on an ongoing basis during their trip, and should adhere to them. If the Federal Foreign Office issues a travel warning after the start of the stay, scholarship recipients are required to leave the country. Further information can be found at the following link: Information on general safety precautions for travel and stays abroad.

Please take advantage of the opportunity to register on the Federal Foreign Office’s crisis preparedness list—especially when traveling to regions with a critical security situation and even for shorter stays abroad.