This page gives detailed information on funding options for internships and research projects (final theses) abroad. In addition to options for financial support that you can apply for at FAU, we have also included funding programs and scholarships from external entities that take various requirements and target groups into account.
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.
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.
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.
For internships within the ERASMUS region lasting at least 6 weeks and research stays for writing a final thesis anywhere across the globe lasting at least one month, you may be eligible to apply for a DAAD-PROMOS scholarship at FAU. Please refer to the call for applications.
Students at the School of Business, Economics and Society cannot apply for a DAAD-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.
The University awards travel scholarships to eligible students for stays abroad from funds provided by the Bavarian State Ministry of Science and the Arts and the Ilse und Dr. Alexander Mayer-Stiftung and Dr. Artur Grün-Stiftung foundations. 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 internships 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 is an (non-exhaustive) overview of some funding options available at the current time:
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
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.
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.
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.
The Deutsch-Französisches Jugendwerk (DFJW) fund subject-specific placements in France that are part of a degree program at the student’s home university.
The Bayer Foundations offer several international scholarships in the International 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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.