International Research Experience Program (IREP)

International Research Experience Program (IREP)

The main objective of the program is to enable undergraduate and graduate students from TU Darmstadt's partner universities in Canada and the USA to:

  • Acquire an insight in research within their respective fields through active participation
  • Gain intercultural experience
  • Transfer credit points back to their home institutions

To be eligible, students must maintain good academic standing at their home institution and demonstrate a strong interest in research techniques and practices.

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. Other 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.

Vincent McGlynn,
Virginia Tech, USA

My experience in Germany was fantastic. I worked in the Chemistry department doing heterogeneous catalysis of renewable resource. Throughout the whole ten weeks I gained a lot of new knowledge on catalysis and the creation and use of intermetallics as catalysts. My time in Germany not only gave me the chance to learn academically, but I got to learn about myself as well. I had the opportunity to travel almost every weekend and learn new things about the cultures of various places in Europe. This program was a once in a lifetime experience and something I will never forget.

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 a minimum of 12 ECTS credits for the research project.

You can find the program specifications and requirements here (opens in new tab) .

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 2024
Language Course and Orientation: March 4 – March 29 (4 weeks) (Optional)
Research Project: April 1– June 7 (10 weeks) or June 21 (12 weeks)
Application deadline at TU Darmstadt: December 15

Summer

Program Dates IREP – Summer 2024
Orientation Program: May 20 – 24 (1 week)
Research Project: May 27 – August 2 (10 weeks) or August 16 (12 weeks)
Application deadline at TU Darmstadt: March 1

Fall

Program Dates IREP – Fall 2024
Language Course and Orientation: September 2 – 27 (4 weeks) (Optional, tbc)
Research Project: September 30 – December 6 (10 weeks) or December 20 (12 weeks)
Application deadline at TU Darmstadt: April 30

IREP Summer

IREP Spring/ Fall

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 applicants 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 (Below, you will find a list of the current partner universities).
  • 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 minimum Grade Point Average at the time of application to the program:
    • 3.0 (US)
    • 73% (Canada)

Current partner universities:

  • Polytechnique Montréal (Poly Mtl)
  • Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology (RHIT)
  • Simon Fraser University (SFU)
  • South Dakota School of Mines & Technology (SDSMT)
  • University of Alberta (UAlberta)
  • University of Arkansas (Uark)
  • University of British Columbia (UBC)
  • University of Buffalo (UB)
  • University of Colorado at Boulder (UCB)
  • University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC)
  • University of Massachusetts at Amherst (UMass Amherst)
  • University of Rhode Island (URI)
  • University of Saskatchewan (USask)
  • University of St. Thomas in St. Paul
  • University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA)
  • University of Toronto (UofT)
  • Virginia Tech (VT)
  • Washington State University (WSU)
  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.

Malley Richardson,
University of British Columbia, CA

My summer at TU Darmstadt was one I will never forget. I made life-long friends and learned more about myself in these short 3 months than I ever could at home. I contributed to research behind 3D bio printing which later encouraged me to pursue a masters in Biomedical Engineering. I am also grateful to have gone outside my comfort zone and participated in this amazing experience!

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.

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