Funding for internships and research projects (final theses)
Funding for internships and final theses
Ideally, you will receive payment or at least a contribution towards your expenses for an internship or research visit completed abroad. It is always worth asking your employer about the availability of financial support and ensuring that any agreements reached are documented in the internship contract.
You may also seek funding from other sources for your internship or research project and we have listed some further opportunities on this page.
Funding that you can apply for at FAU
FAU cannot organize an internship abroad for you. You are entirely responsible for organizing an internship in another country. However, you can apply for financial assistance from FAU for your stay abroad.
Erasmus+ traineeship (Training in Europe)
The largest funding program for traineeships in Europe is the Erasmus+ program.
All students who are enrolled at FAU can apply for an Erasmus+ traineeship. Traineeships can be funded after a student has completed their degree, if the application was submitted in their final semester.
DAAD PROMOS scholarships coordinated by the faculties at FAU (Internships and research projects outside Europe)
If are planning an internship in an area not covered by the Erasmus+ program outside Europe, you may be able to apply for a DAAD PROMOS scholarship at your faculty. Please refer to the call for applications. PROMOS scholarships may not be available for certain mobility options, depending on the faculty. All students that are enrolled at FAU can apply for PROMOS scholarships at their faculties.
Students at the School of Business, Economics and Society cannot apply for a PROMOS scholarship for internships or research projects abroad, as PROMOS scholarships at the School of Business, Economics and Society can only be awarded to students who study abroad at selected partner universities.
Travel expense grants from the Ilse and Dr. Alexander Mayer-Stiftung (Internships and research projects at FAU partner universities outside Europe
Each year, the Ilse and Dr. Alexander Mayer-Stiftung awards travel expense grants for research visits to FAU partner universities outside Europe. Internships and research projects can also be funded if they will be completed at an FAU partner university outside Europe. German citizenship is required to apply (preferably individuals who were born in Franconia).
Travel expense grants from the international university fund managed by the Bavarian State Ministry of Science and the Arts (International internships and research projects)
Each year, FAU awards travel expense grants from funding provided by the Bavarian State Ministry of Science and the Arts to students of all nationalities who meet the qualifying criteria for stays abroad worldwide. Internships in other countries that are relevant to the applicant’s degree and stays abroad to complete research projects may also meet the funding criteria.
Funding from external organizations (not coordinated by FAU)
External organizations such as the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), associations or foundations offer many funding opportunities for internships and research projects abroad. Scholarships are often offered as part of structured programs that combine placements and scholarships. It may be the case that scholarships are restricted to certain mobility options, for example research projects with a specific topic. The following section includes some examples of external funding opportunities.
DAAD funding
The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) awards scholarships for international internships as part of individual funding programs that are aimed at specific target groups.
Funding is available for:
- Research placements for German students studying for a Bachelor’s degree in natural sciences and engineering
- Internships in international organizations and EU institutions.
- Internships in German embassies or consulates, international organizations, German schools in another country, Goethe Institutes, German Archaeological Institutes, Institutes of the Max-Weber Foundation or certain institutions in foreign cultural policy.
- Internships that are organized by IAESTE, AIESEC or ZAD.
- Research projects for students completing a Master’s thesis in Information technology
- Research projects in Taiwan (only for graduates in natural sciences and engineering)
- Research projects in Korea (only graduates)
You can find further details in the DAAD Scholarship Database
Funding opportunities offered by Bavarian University Centers (China, France, India, Latin America, Eastern Europe
Bavarian University Centers offer Bavarian universities advice and support in establishing new scientific partnerships and international research projects in specific target regions. They also offer students funding opportunities for internships and research projects in China, France, India, Latin America and Eastern Europe.
ASA program (Research projects in Global South countries)
The ASA program offers research projects in development cooperation and sustainability. Research placements are offered in African, Asian, Latin American and European countries. All program participants receive a scholarship.
Vulcanus in Japan (Industrial internships for students in natural sciences and engineering)
The Vulcanus program offers industrial internships in Japan for students in natural sciences and engineering. Students who take part in the program are awarded a scholarship for a stay abroad in Japan.
Deutsch-Französisches Jugendwerk (DFJW, subject-specific placements in France)
Deutsch-Französisches Jugendwerk (DFJW) fund subject-specific placements in France that are part of a degree program at the student’s home university.
Bayer Foundations Fellowship Program (International placements for students in sciences and medicine)
The Bayer Foundations offer several international scholarships in the Bayer Fellowship Program. Studying abroad and research projects are both eligible for funding.
There are currently four programs:
- Otto Bayer Scholarship
- Carl Duisburg Scholarship
- Jeff Schell Scholarship
- Kurt Hansen Scholarship
Heinrich J. Klein Foundation (International research projects)
The Heinrich J. Klein Foundation awards scholarships to graduates for completing a stay abroad as part of their further scientific qualification. This may include a research visit that is part of a final thesis.
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Erich Müller-Stiftung (Master’s thesis in engineering)
The Prof. Dr.-Ing. Erich Müller Foundation awards scholarships to exceptional students in engineering and natural sciences who wish to complete their Master’s thesis abroad.
Ernest-Solvay-Stiftung (Abschlussarbeiten auf dem Gebiet des Chemie- und Bioingenieurwesen)
The Ernest-Solvay Foundation offers funding opportunities for students in chemical and biological engineering who would like to write their final thesis in another country.
Deutsch-Tschechische und Deutsch-Slowakische Historikerkommission (Travel grants for final theses)
Students who are writing a final thesis on a topic related to German-Czech-Slovakian relations or Czech and Slovakian history can apply to the Deutsch-Tschechischen und Deutsch-Slowakischen Historikerkommission for a travel grant for their research project.
Gesellschaft für Kanada-Studien e.V. (Travel grant for final thesis topics related to Canada)
Each year, Gesellschaft für Kanada-Studien e.V. offers a travel grant for students who are writing a final thesis on a topic related to Canada. Studying abroad and research projects are both eligible for funding.
The association also awards the Jürgen Saße Prize for final theses on the First Nations of Canada.
Bavarian Minister Presidents’ Scholarship for final theses related to Québec
Students at Bavarian universities can apply to the Scientific Coordination Office Bavaria-Québec for the Bavarian Minister Presidents’ Scholarship, if they are writing a final thesis that is significantly relevant to Québec.