DAAD/AGI Research Fellowship Program 2026 for Researchers Worldwide (Stipend available)

Applications are open for the DAAD/AGI Research Fellowship Program 2026. Click here to learn more about this opportunity and apply for it.

About DAAD/AGI Research Fellowship Program

Opportunity Details

Date Published: August 13, 2025
Application Deadline: September 05, 2025
Category: Fellowship
Oppotunity Locations: United States

The DAAD/American-German Institute Research Fellowship Program, funded by a generous grant from the Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst (DAAD), is designed to bring scholars and specialists working on key issues of central importance to the German-American relationship to AGI for research stays of up to six consecutive months each. Junior scholars and specialists are especially encouraged to apply.

During their tenure, DAAD/AGI Research Fellows will be expected to present their research results at a workshop to the broader Washington, DC, policy community and produce a short analytical essay that will be published on the AGI website and distributed via the Institute's targeted analysis newsletter, The AGI Advisor. In addition, fellows will be expected to engage in organized scholarly interaction on their research, for example through seminars or lectures at universities and research institutions; AGI will provide support to organize this if required.

Sponsor Organisation: The Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst (DAAD)

Benefits of DAAD/AGI Research Fellowship Program

AGI offers several fellowships, which include a monthly stipend between approximately €2,800 and €3,200 (depending on the seniority of the applicant); transportation to and from Washington, DC; financial support for research-related travel to institutions within the DAAD center network (Centers for German and European Studies) in North America; and office space at the Institute.

DAAD/AGI Research Fellowship Program Requirements

Applicants must be German; or must be non-German and working permanently in Germany or currently at one of the DAAD Centers for German and European Studies (in the case of US citizens: only if at DAAD Centers outside of the United States).
Applicants must have completed or currently be working on a PhD.
All application materials MUST be submitted in English and received by AGI by the deadline in order to be considered for fellowships in the specified period.
Individuals who have received a grant or other support from the DAAD within three years of the starting date of the fellowship are not eligible to apply. This does not apply to applicants affiliated with DAAD Centers for German and European Studies.

Visa Requirements

If selected as DAAD/AGI fellows, applicants must be eligible for and obtain a J-1 visa from a U.S. consulate or embassy (unless they have work authorization for the U.S.). Applicants should be aware that, due to U.S. immigration regulations, J-1 visas may be subject to the two-year rule, which prohibits individuals from returning to the United States on certain types of visa for a period of two years upon completion of their fellowship at AGI. AGI will provide detailed information about the visa process once a fellow has been selected.

Application Date and Process

There is no formal application form. To apply for the DAAD/AGI fellowship program, please submit the following materials (in English) electronically, combined in one PDF file to Susanne Dieper, Director of Programs and Grants, at [email protected]:

A brief cover letter, including your citizenship/eligibility and how you have heard about the fellowship;
A curriculum vitae, with a list of publications (if relevant);
A project proposal (5-7 pages, double-spaced) outlining in clear, concise terms the substantive thrust of the research and its relevance to the AGI mission; the reasons for carrying it out at AGI and in Washington, DC; the timeframe of the fellowship at AGI, including dates and length (two to six months); a brief outline of organizations and individuals in the Washington, DC, region the applicant considers important for their research project. Since the fellowship provides funds to travel to DAAD centers in North America, an outline about the reasons why the applicant wants to travel to a particular DAAD center should be included as well.
Two recent letters of reference (required for PhD students and recent PhDs, i.e., within five years of having completed their PhD; optional for senior researchers).
Successful applicants must be proficient in the English language.

Applications will be reviewed by a selection committee, and AGI will conduct interviews (in person or via video conference) with select applicants.