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Internationalisation

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Research Scholarships

Conducting research abroad for the Master’s thesis

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As part of the INTER project (International Experience and Reflection in Teacher Education), research grants are awarded to teacher training students who wish to undertake a research placement (1–2 months) at one of our partner universities (INTER project partners) abroad as part of their Master’s thesis. These grants offer the opportunity to work on research questions directly on site and to gain initial international research experience through collaboration with students and lecturers.

Content

As part of the INTER project, research grants are awarded to teacher training students who wish to undertake a research placement (1–2 months) at one of our partner universities abroad as part of their Master’s thesis. These grants offer the opportunity to address research questions directly on site and to gain initial international research experience through collaboration with students and academic staff.

Overview

Research visits are currently available at the following locations:


Please note that the terms and duration of your stay must always be agreed individually with the universities. Some locations also require an official application process to be followed. In Queensland (Australia), a  Blue Card is also required to work with children, and applying for this can take several months. We ask you to bear this in mind when preparing your application.
Before applying, please also check the current entry and visa requirements for the relevant destination country, as well as any processing times, and take these into account in your planning.

Your application should include the following documents:

  • CV (in English)
  • Letter of motivation (approx. 1 page, in English): explaining your reasons for studying abroad
  • Research proposal (approx. 3 pages, in English): research question, methodology, planned approach
  • Timetable (in English): Overview of the necessary organisational steps (e.g. visa, period and duration of stay, accommodation, etc.)
  • Supervision confirmation: Confirmation from your primary supervisor
  • Language certificate: Proof of the language skills required for the stay (either English B2 or the relevant local language at B2 level, depending on the specific research design)
  • Transcript of Records: Proof of your academic achievements to date
  • Relevant evidence of social engagement (if available)

Please also inform us in your application if you are already receiving funding from another scholarship provider (e.g. the Germany Scholarship) or have additional income exceeding €603 per month.

Application deadlines are announced regularly on this website.

Next round: 31 March 2026 (for stays until the end of the 2026 summer semester)
Previous rounds: 15 August 2025; 11 May 2025

Please email your complete application documents in English as a single PDF file to: inter.ew@uni-hamburg.de

A faculty selection committee assesses all applications against the specified criteria (quality and feasibility of the project, previous academic performance, relevant language skills, and social engagement). Scholarships are awarded in order of merit, subject to availability of funds.

The amount of the scholarship depends on the duration of the stay and the destination country.

Here you find testimonials from students who have already taken part.

Erfahrungsbericht-2025-1

Erfahrungsbericht-2025-2

Erfahrungsbericht-2026-1

Erfahrungsbericht-2026-2

Tips and Advice

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Photo: UHH/Lutsch

• Research abroad requires preparation time! Please therefore allow plenty of time (a buffer) for organising and preparing for your stay!

• We will assist you in contacting partner universities and facilitate initial contacts – the organisation and implementation of the research project is your responsibility!

• You can find further helpful information in our FAQs below.

FAQs

Which research topics/questions are eligible for funding?

In principle, all research topics with an international dimension are eligible. However, it is important that the research proposal clearly explains why the stay or data collection abroad is of particular relevance to addressing the research question. Funding will be awarded exclusively to projects that involve empirical work in conjunction with data collection abroad. The following subject areas are examples of possible topics:

  • Transculturality, interculturality and diversity (in educational contexts)
  • International comparative research on education systems
  • International comparative perspectives on teacher education
  • Post- and decolonial perspectives on education and schools, or education in postcolonial contexts
  • Interdependencies and global educational contexts

What is the amount of the scholarship?

The amount of the grants depends on the destination country. Please refer to this table for the grant rates.

Who can apply?

You are eligible to apply if you are studying for a Master’s degree in teacher training and have already chosen a specific topic for your dissertation. Your primary supervisor should also have been confirmed, and your proposal should clearly explain why a period of study abroad at one of our partner universities would be beneficial to your project.

Do I need travel insurance?

Yes, definitely. The scholarships already include a flat-rate allowance of €35 per month for taking out international health insurance. It is possible to take out such international health insurance, including liability and accident cover, through the DAAD. For further information, please refer to the “Guide to the DAAD Group Policy for Taking Out Combined Health, Long-Term Care, Accident and Liability Insurance” on the Teacher Training Programme website (www.daad.de/lehramtprojekte).

Information and contact details for the DAAD Insurance Office → Telephone: 0228/882-8770, Email: versicherungsstelle@daad.de.

When will I receive the scholarship payment?

In order for us to be able to pay out the scholarship, we require a letter of invitation from the relevant partner university abroad.

Do I have to apply for the visa myself?

Yes, you are responsible for applying for a visa for your stay. Please also note that the requirements vary depending on your destination country. If, for example, you wish to work in an educational setting in Australia (Queensland), you will also need to apply for a Blue Card.

How can I get in touch with the partner university?

We are happy to support you with the initial contact with the partner university. Once it has been clarified who will be your contact person at the partner university, further communication and organisation will be in your hands.

Do I need existing contacts in the destination country?

Having already established contacts in the host country and/or at the partner university is very helpful, but not a requirement. We’d be happy to help you make initial contact!

How do I find accommodation?

You are generally responsible for coordinating your stay and your accommodation. Depending on your destination country, you can of course also contact the International Office at the relevant university, for example, to get some initial guidance on finding suitable accommodation.

How much time is there between the application deadline and departure?

This is generally not possible to predict and always depends on the destination country, the status of your application, visa requirements, etc. However, you should generally allow 1–3 months’ lead time before your departure.

Can I also plan a research visit to another university (not an INTER partner university)?

No. We can only fund projects that take place within the framework of one of our INTER university partnerships, as the DAAD must have a valid Memorandum of Understanding with the relevant university.

Can this scholarship be combined with other scholarships and/or income?

In some cases, the scholarship can be combined with other scholarships. However, it is not possible, for example, to receive the Deutschlandstipendium at the same time. Further information on receiving funding from the DAAD and other scholarship providers at the same time can be found here.
Any additional income exceeding the statutory net amount of €603 per month will also be deducted from the scholarship.

Testimonials

Here you will find testimonials from students who have already taken part.

Erfahrungsbericht-2025-1

Erfahrungsbericht-2025-2

Contact

If you have any questions about research grants for stays abroad as part of your Master’s thesis, please contact us at:
inter.ew@uni-hamburg.de