DAAD PRIME offers 18 months of postdoctoral funding for researchers who aim to pursue long-term academic careers in Germany. Funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF), the program supports a 12-month international research stay followed by a 6-month reintegration phase at a German university, with researchers employed throughout on a temporary German university contract.
DAAD PRIME 2025/26 Description Details
PRIME is a highly competitive funding program for postdocs who plan their professional career in Germany. Applicants with above-average qualifications from all faculties may apply. They must have completed their doctorate with excellent results before the start of funding.
There are no restrictions regarding nationality and current residency. However, depending on nationality and place of residence, restrictions may apply when choosing the destination country for the stay abroad.
Eligible Criteria for the DAAD PRIME 2025/26
Postdoctoral researchers of all nationalities and disciplines are eligible, provided they:
- Hold a completed doctorate with excellent results by the time funding starts.
- Are within 6 years of their first PhD, with allowances for parental/care periods.
- Have at least one peer-reviewed publication (co-authorship accepted).
- Have not resided or worked in the proposed host country for more than 12 months during the last 3 years (mobility rule).
- Intend to pursue an academic career in Germany after the fellowship.
Note: EU mobility rules apply depending on citizenship/residency.
Benefits of the DAAD PRIME 2025/26
Successful applicants of the DAAD PRIME 2025/26 would enjoy the following;
- 18-month employment at a German university under TV-L E13 salary scale.
- Expatriate allowance based on destination and income level.
- DAAD travel allowance (including for accompanying spouses/children).
Host Institutions of the DAAD PRIME 2025/26
The employing institution must be a German university, which must:
- Confirm willingness to employ the candidate.
- Provide a scientific mentor.
- Comment on the applicant’s longer-term prospects.
- Foreign host institutions (university, non-university, or industry research entities) must provide infrastructure, mentoring, and institutional support.
The DAAD PRIME 2025/26 Selection Criteria
- Academic Excellence: grades, publications, awards, supervision, teaching.
- Project Quality: originality, feasibility, innovation, alignment with host(s).
- Career Potential: long-term career alignment, motivation, and broader skills.
Application Documents of the DAAD PRIME 2025/26
Applications must be submitted via the DAAD Portal and include:
- Online application form.
- CV (Europass-style recommended).
- Career plan (max. 1 page).
- Research proposal (7–8 pages + references).
- Time schedule (e.g., Gantt chart).
- Host letters (Germany + abroad).
- Ethics checklist.
- Degree certificates + transcripts.
- Language certificate (if required).
- One academic letter of recommendation.
- Marked key publications (with links).
- Summary of doctoral thesis (1–2 pages).
- Application checklist.
All documents must be submitted in English (or German for certificates) and uploaded in PDF format.
How to Apply for the DAAD PRIME 2025/26
To apply for the DAAD PRIME 2025/26, Eligible applicants must;
- Read the criteria very carefully and fill the application form before closing date.
- Submit the required documents.
- Wait for the announcement of results.
DAAD PRIME 2025/26 Key Dates
- Application Deadline: 29th of August 2025.
- Results Announced: March 2026.
- Orientation Meeting: March/April 2026.
- Fellowship Start: 1st of June – 1st of November, 2026.