IREP Spring and Fall is a 14-16-week program that consists of two components:

• a 4-week Intensive German Language Course (optional)
• a 10-12 week Research Internship

IREP Summer is a 10-12 week program that consists of:

• a welcome week with a 3-day Orientation Program and guided excursions throughout the region.
• a 10-12 week Research Internship

Intensive German Language Course

The Intensive German Language Course takes place in September or March during the Fall and Spring semesters, prior to the research internship. Students can earn 6 ECTS worth of academic credit for the language course.

Research Internship

• Research Internships are available in various faculties and departments at Technische Universität 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, deliver a final written report and an oral presentation in English at the end of the program for an evaluation by the hosting department.

Language Requirements

The program language is taught in English. German language skills are not necessary for the acceptance into IREP. However, research internships in German linguistics and literature are also offered and taught in German.

*Program coordination and assistance is provided in English.*

Research projects are available in almost every department and faculty at Technische Universität Darmstadt. Projects are offered in the fields of Engineering & Sciences, Mathematics, Information Technology, Social Science, Human Sciences, Economics and Business Administration. Students choose a 10- to 12-week research project from the IREP Database. As an alternative, if students cannot find three suitable projects in the IREP Database, they can search the department and faculty websites for a suitable research project. At TU Darmstadt, students are fully integrated in ongoing research groups and are assisted by faculty members and doctorate students throughout their research project. Students are expected to report on their progress in regular sequences and deliver a final written report in English and an oral presentation at the end of the program for evaluation by the hosting department. Students can earn minimum 12 ECTS worth of academic credit for the research project.

IREP is open three times a year to our partner universities in the USA and Canada. Below you will find all the program dates and application deadlines:

Fall

September: orientation and intensive German language course
October – December: Research project

Program Dates IREP – Fall 2019
Orientation Program: September 3 – 13
Language Course: September 3 – 27
Research Project: September 30 – December 20
Application deadline: April 15th

Spring

March: orientation and intensive German language course
April – June: Research project

Program Dates IREP – Spring 2019
Orientation Program: March 1 – 3
Language Course: March 4 – 29
Research Project: April 1 – June 21
Application deadline: December 15th

Summer

May: orientation
May – August: Research Project

Program Dates IREP – Summer 2019
Orientation Program: May 20 – 24
Research Project: May 27 – August 9
Application deadline: On a rolling basis from February 1st – March 1st

Students will 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.

*Please contact the International Office at your home university for details on credit transfer*

• ECTS Credit Units reflect the quantity of work from each course to complete a full degree program – i.e. lectures, practical work, seminars, etc.

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*

*1 ECTS = approx. 30 hours of academic work

The applicant must:

• be currently enrolled and remain enrolled throughout the program in an undergraduate or graduate program at a partner university of TU Darmstadt in the US or Canada.
• 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 a Grade Point Average of at least:
  • 3.1 (US)
  • 73-80% (Canada)
  • at the time of his/her application to the program.

1. Admission Requirements
   Students must choose their top three selected 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 must:
     • Identify a professor here at TU Darmstadt who works in a related field to this topic.
     • Contact our offices to get in touch with that professor for a pre-approval of this topic.
     • Clearly state which subject they would like to research, along with the information provided below.
2. Clarify availability of research projects
   Students should send a short email to our office (irep@pvw.tu-…) and the coordinator at your home institution listing the following information:
   
   • the title and supervisor of the research projects prioritized by your first, second and third preference.
   • the name of your home university
   • the country in which your passport was issued
   • the time period you wish to apply for (e.g. IREP Fall 2018)
   • your GPA and years of university study up to this date with a copy of your unofficial Transcript of Records
   • the degree level (e.g. undergraduate/graduate) of your current degree
3. Online application and supporting documents
   After receiving availability confirmation from our office, the student has to complete an online registration. and upload the following documents below (Please inform the IREP offices as well as the coordinator at your home institution once you have successfully completed the online application):
   
   • Where it states “Academic transcript of records” please upload copies of your university Transcripts, including the most up-to-date records.
   • Where it states “Motivation letter and/or Learning Agreement” please upload the IREP application form. This will need to be signed by you, the Head of the Department and the International Exchange Office at your home university. (Please provide separate motivation letters for each of your chosen projects using the template provided).
   • Instead of a “Proof of English language proficiency” please upload a Recommendation Letter
   • Instead of a “Proof of German language proficiency” please upload a Curriculum Vitae
4. 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 supervisors for approval and inform the student as soon as the project supervisors give us their confirmation.
5. 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.

All students are eligible to apply for the IREP Scholarship in their application but may not be guaranteed approval.

IREP Spring and Fall:

This scholarship program offers 720€ per month for a total of three months. This includes enrollment fee (student access to all campus facilities and a local transportation voucher) and health insurance for duration of the program. However, during the first month upon arrival and throughout the German course, costs will have to be covered on your own. This may include: visa fees, housing & deposit fees as well as other personal costs.

• The program fee is approximately 220€ upon arrival in Germany.
• Housing rent in Germany usually costs between 400 – 800€ per month.

IREP Summer:

This scholarship program offers 400€ per month for a total of three months. This includes the enrollment fee (student access to all campus facilities and a local transportation voucher).

• The program fee is 450€ which includes the orientation welcome program as well as guided excursions.

*Please note that all students are responsible for their own personal budgets during their time abroad. (This may include: leisure travel, housing as well as food and beverages)*