Are you an AI researcher who finished your PhD in the last five years, or a PhD candidate in your final year? The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) is offering the Heilbronn AI Fellowship, which funds research stays of 1 to 12 months in Heilbronn, Germany, one of Europe’s fastest-growing AI hubs. Fellows receive €2,800 a month, plus insurance and travel support. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, ideally at least four months before your planned start date.
Fellowship at a Glance
- Funder: DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service)
- Location: Bildungscampus Heilbronn, Germany
- Duration: 1 to 12 months
- Monthly fellowship: €2,800
- Extras: Health, accident and liability insurance contributions, plus a travel lump sum
- For: International postdocs (PhD within the last 5 years) and final-year PhD candidates in AI or related fields
- Deadline: Rolling. Apply at least 4 months before your intended start.
About the Heilbronn AI Fellowship
Heilbronn in southern Germany is building a major AI ecosystem, bringing together universities, research institutes, industry and startups on the Bildungscampus Heilbronn. The fellowship brings international talent there to do cutting-edge AI research, and encourages technology transfer, real-world applications and links with startups.
Eligible Host Institutions
- Technical University of Munich (TUM) Campus Heilbronn
- Max Planck Institute Heilbronn
- Fraunhofer HNFIZ
- Heilbronn University of Applied Sciences (HHN)
- DHBW Heilbronn (Baden-Württemberg Cooperative State University)
- DHBW Center for Advanced Studies
- Ferdinand-Steinbeis-Institute
- Campus Founders
Benefits
- €2,800 a month fellowship payment
- Health, accident and personal liability insurance contributions
- A lump sum for international travel
- Family benefits may be available for stays longer than six months
- Extra support for costs related to disability or chronic illness (assessed individually)
- Access to a dynamic AI ecosystem linking research, industry and startups
Eligibility
- You’re an international postdoc who got your PhD no more than five years ago, or a PhD candidate in your final year before your defence.
- You have a strong academic background in AI or a related field.
- You’re affiliated with a university or research institution.
- You’ve lived outside Germany for the 15 months before applying.
- You plan a research project at an eligible Heilbronn host institution, with an invitation letter from your host.
- You have very good English. No language certificate is needed, but your host must confirm your language skills are sufficient.
There’s no nationality restriction, so African AI researchers are eligible.
Required Documents
- Online application form (DAAD portal)
- CV in table format (up to 3 pages)
- List of publications (up to 10 pages), if applicable
- Letter of motivation (1–2 pages): what you hope to gain personally and professionally
- Research proposal (2–3 pages), developed together with your Heilbronn host
- Schedule of planned research work
- One recent reference on your qualifications
- Invitation letter and confirmation from your host, covering the project, your language skills and a guaranteed workplace
- Declaration on safety and ethical aspects, signed by your supervisor in Germany
All documents must be in English.
How Applications Are Judged
- Academic qualification: grades, doctorate, and publications and conference papers
- Quality of the research project: originality, relevance, feasibility and choice of host
- Fit with the programme: development potential, and plans for long-term cooperation with Germany
Tips for a Strong Application
- Find a host first. If you don’t have a contact, use DAAD’s Heilbronn AI host contact form, or email [email protected] and DAAD will help connect you.
- Co-write your proposal with your host. DAAD expects it to be developed jointly.
- Show real-world impact. The programme values applications, technology transfer and links with startups.
- Apply early. Allow at least four months before your planned start.
- Use a desktop computer. The DAAD portal works poorly on phones.
How to Apply
- Contact a researcher at one of the eligible Heilbronn institutions and agree a project.
- Prepare your documents with your host, including the invitation letter and ethics declaration.
- Submit your application through the DAAD portal at least four months before you plan to start.
Read the official DAAD Heilbronn AI Fellowship call and apply
