International Research Experience Program (IREP)

Research Internship

• Research Internships are available in various faculties and departments at Technical University of Darmstadt such as: Engineering & Sciences, Mathematics, Information Technology, Social Science, Human Sciences, Economics and Business Administration.
• Students are fully integrated in ongoing research groups and are assisted by faculty members and doctoral candidates throughout their research project.
• Students can choose a 10-12 week research internship from a list of open internships or suggest their own project.
• Students are expected to report on their progress regularly, hand in a final written report and give an oral presentation in English at the end of the program for an evaluation by the hosting department. Others tasks my be part of the program.

Language Requirements

The program language is English. German language skills are not necessary for the acceptance into IREP. Exceptions are research internships in German linguistics and literature, which may be offered (at least partially) in German.

*Program coordination and support is provided in English.*

Intensive German Language Course (for IREP spring/ fall only)

The Intensive German Language Course takes place in September and March during the Fall and Spring semesters, prior to the research internship. Students can earn academic credit for the language course.

For students interested in learning German online, please take a look at the Online German Language Course – STEM.

Research projects are available in almost every department and faculty at Technical University of Darmstadt. Students choose a 10- to 12-week research project from the IREP Database. If students cannot find three suitable projects in the IREP Database, they can search the department and faculty websites for research projects they are interested in. Students can earn minimum 12 ECTS credits worth of academic credit for the research project.

Open three times a year to our partner universities in Canada and the USA. All program dates and application deadlines are listed below:

Spring

Program Dates IREP – Spring 2023
Language Course and Orientation: March 6– March 31 (4 weeks) (Optional)
Research Project: April 3– June 9 (10 weeks)
Application deadline at TU Darmstadt: December 15

Summer

Program Dates IREP – Summer 2023
Orientation Program: May 22 – 26 (1 week)
Research Project: May 29 – August 4 (10 weeks / August 18 – 12 weeks)
Application deadline at TU Darmstadt: March 1

Fall

Program Dates IREP – Fall 2022
Language Course and Orientation: September 5 – 30 (4 weeks) (Optional)
Research Project: October 4 – December 9 (10-12 weeks)
Application deadline at TU Darmstadt: April 15

Students are going to write a paper, give a presentation, and receive a final grade and ECTS credit points for the successful completion of the program. TU Darmstadt will also issue an official transcript for the credits received.

Academic Credits:

• Intensive German Language Course (4 Weeks) -> 45 Hours/Week -> 6 ECTS*
• Research Project (10-12 Weeks or longer) -> 30-40 Hours/Week -> 12-18 ECTS*

*ECTS credit units reflect the quantity of work from each course to complete a full degree program – i.e. lectures, practical work, homework, etc.
1 ECTS = approx. 30 hours of academic work, approx. 1/2 Canadian/US credit.
Students are asked to contact their home institution for confirmation on credit conversion.

The applicant have to:

• be currently enrolled and remain enrolled throughout the program in an undergraduate or graduate program at a partner university of TU Darmstadt in Canada or the USA.
• have successfully completed at least 3 years in an undergraduate program or one year in a graduate program at the partner university by the time of the placement.
• be selected by his/her home university to apply for the IREP program.
• have at the time of his/her application to the program a Grade Point Average of at least:
  • 3.0 (US)
  • 73% (Canada)

1. Application at Home University
   Students have to apply at their home university. They are asked to contact their International Office/Global Education Office for application requirements and deadlines.
2. Research in IREP Database for project preferences
   Students have to choose their top three preferred research topics by stating clearly their first, second and third preference. Students can either choose three research projects from the IREP Database or choose their own research projects.
   ONLY if students choose their own research topic they have to:
   • Identify a professor here at TU Darmstadt who works in a related field to this topic.
   • Clearly state which subject they would like to research.
   • Contact our offices to get in touch with that professor for a pre-approval of this topic.
3. Online application and supporting documents
   After acceptance by the home university and selection of preferences, the student has to complete an online registration.
   
   IREP Application Guideline (opens in new tab) provides important and helpful information for completing the form and the necessary documents.
   Here the IREP Project Choice and Approval Form can be downloaded, which is to be uploaded in the online application.
   
4. Confirmation of online application via Email
   The student has to send an email to irep@zv.tu-darmstadt.de to confirm the completion of the online application.
5. Acceptance to the project
   Once formal admission requirements are fulfilled, the International Office at TU Darmstadt will forward the documents to the corresponding IREP project supervisor for approval and inform the student as soon as the project supervisor give their confirmation.
6. Receiving admission documents
   If your application was successful, you will receive an email confirming your acceptance for a chosen research project from the International Office at TU Darmstadt. You and the coordinator at your home institution will receive the admission documents and further information within a few weeks following your acceptance into the program.

Please keep in mind: Nomination by the home university does not guarantee a research placement. The final acceptance into the IREP always depends on the decision of the respective IREP supervisor.

Scholarships of Excellence

The Scholarship of Excellence will be awarded to students with an outstanding academic performance, to support their participation in IREP.

All students are eligible to apply for the IREP Scholarship of Excellence in their application. Selection is based on the application documents.

IREP spring/ summer/ fall

This scholarship program provides financial support for a total of three months. The selected students will receive the scholarship in monthly instalments.

Please note: Scholarships of Excellence are available for in-person or remote participation!

Program fee

IREP summer

The program fee will be 2,600€. The fee includes:

• Housing rent
• Student service fee
• Semester ticket for free public transport in and around Darmstadt and the State of Hesse
• Health insurance during program time for stay in Europe
• Orientation program and excursions (München, Heidelberg, etc.)
• University enrollment incl. WIFI access on campus and city of Darmstadt

The program fee for remote participants will be approx. 300 €. The fee includes:

• Student service fee
• University enrollment incl. access on campus networks
• Orientation program and virtual excursions

IREP spring/fall

The program fee will be 1,900€.

The fee includes:

• Housing rent
• Student service fee
• Semester ticket for free public transport in and around Darmstadt and the State of Hesse
• University enrollment incl. WIFI access on campus and in the city of Darmstadt

Please note that all students are responsible for their own personal budgets during their time abroad. The average expenses of a student in Darmstadt amount to approximately 400,00€ per month, but the expenses can vary according to personal preferences and travel plans.