PROMOS Scholarship

Information about PROMOS

Information about PROMOS

The following projects receive support through the DAAD PROMOS Scholarship Program at the TU Darmstadt:

  1. One-semester study-abroad programmes (not longer and not shorter!) at partner universities outside of Europe
  2. The production of a capstone project (Bachelor’s or Master’s thesis) at partner universities outside of Europe

The PROMOS scholarships are awarded by the TU Darmstadt through a merit-based application process.

PROMOS Online Application

Online Application PROMOS Online Application

The application form for applicants staying abroad from July to December is expected to be open from mid-April to mid-May.

For applicants staying in the first half of next year, the application form will be open from mid-October to mid-November.

You can prepare the application documents to be submitted and then upload them in the online application.

Promos information events (in English upon request): Two information events are held each year – in April for stays in the second half of the year and in October for stays in the first half of the following year.

  • You are matriculated at the TU Darmstadt with the aim of obtaining a degree.
  • You will have successfully completed two semesters in your BA studies by the time your study abroad program begins, i.e. your study abroad semester is at least your third semester.
  • You are applying for the PROMOS scholarship for the first time at this stage of your studies (Bachelor's/Master's). PROMOS funding is only possible once per study phase.
  • You are sufficiently fluent in the partner university’s language of instruction (at least B2).
  • You are nominated by your department for a study abroad placement at a non-European partner university for a one-semester academic programme (maximum of 6 months, and with full-time student status).
  • Or if applicable: you have been accepted for the completion of a capstone/thesis project (Bachelor’s or Master’s) at a non-European partner university.

You will receive a one-time mobility allowance according to thecountry-specific funding rates (opens in new tab) set by the DAAD.

Combination with Other Funding

  • DAAD individual scholarships and PROMOS scholarships cannot be combined.
  • The Deutschlandstipendium and PROMOS funding can be received simultaneously without restrictions.
  • Double funding from German public funds is not permissible. If an international stay is funded through German public funds, the purpose of the funding is crucial. This means that PROMOS funding is not possible if the same purpose is already being pursued with German public funds.
  • Students must report PROMOS funding to other public German scholarship providers.
  • Scholarships from private sources can be received alongside PROMOS scholarships without restrictions.
  • Foreign BAföG is possible (PROMOS must be reported to the BAföG office).

Examples of combinable funding:

  • Scholarships from companies or foundations
  • Public funds as a subsidy for living expenses (e.g., funding from the department, Hessen programs, Fulbright)
  • Follow the requirements of the other scholarship provider!

October 15th – November 15th (for stays between January and June of the following year)

April 15th – May 15th (for stays between July and December of the same year)

The following documents must be submitted with the online application (scanned PDFs; scores and certificates signed and stamped):

Incomplete applications will not be considered and subsequent submission of documents is not possible!

  • Cover Letter (opens in new tab) (in German or English)
  • CV (in German or English)
  • Transcript of Records (ToR): printout with signature and stamp of the Office of Student Affairs, Master's students additionally submit a ToR of the entire Bachelor's program. In case your ToR is not equivalent to the German rate system, we need a translated version of your ToR. Multiple documents must be merged into one PDF and uploaded.
  • Letter of recommendation from a professor (opens in new tab) (The recommendation must be no more than one year old and written and signed by a professor at a German university. At the professor’s request, the recommendation may be submitted directly to the PROMOS office from the university department.)
  • Only for capstone projects/theses: Consent of the adviser and a one-page synopsis
  • Proof of sufficient fluency in the language of instruction through one of the following qualifications (no older than two years at the time of the application deadline):
    • Kleiner DAAD Sprachtest (opens in new tab) (This test can be taken in the Sprachenzentrum at the TU Darmstadt for any of the languages taught there. You must pass Level B2.)
    • TOEFL (minimum iBT 80) or IELTS (minimum 6.5) (for English)
    • UNIcert II (for English, French, Portuguese, or Spanish)
    • JLPT: N2 (For Japanese)
    • HSK 4 (for Chinese)
    • Other proofs (high school diploma, language course certificates, etc.) are not accepted.

Please upload the following documents via the Follow-up form on our website:

  • The Confirmation of Stay (opens in new tab) must be signed by you and the host university and uploaded within the first 7 days of your start date. the second part has to be filled out and uploaded in the last week of your studies.
  • At the end of your stay, the transcript of records from the host university must be submitted as confirmation.
  • In addition, after the end of your stay, a experience report or a summary of your thesis must be uploaded
  • Checklist (opens in new tab) for Scholarship holders.
  • Please inform us in time by e-mail (promos@zv.tu-darmstadt.de) if your data have changed or if you do not start your stay abroad.

Important notice:

It is strongly recommended that you consider the travel and safety advice, particularly the travel warnings and partial travel warnings issued by the German Foreign Office when planning and carrying out activities abroad (https://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/en/ReiseUndSicherheit). Travel warnings for a specific country or partial travel warnings for regions within a country include an urgent appeal from the Foreign Office to refrain from traveling to the affected area.

You can find further important information regarding your stay abroad on our website!

The number of financially supported students depends on the total funding amount, provided by the DAAD to TU Darmstadt. The following criteria determine the internal selection: academic performance, language proficiency, social criteria/social engagement and the content of your application.

A poor valuation in just one area (e.g. academic performance) can be compensated through good valuations in other areas.

The language certificate cannot be submitted later. Applications must have a minimum level (B2), which represents the minimum required levels of language proficiency.

The letter of recommendation must also be submitted by the application deadline. Please ask the professor to send the letter of recommendation directly to you or by post or email to: promos@zv.tu-darmstadt.de.

No, that is not possible.

No, we only support stays that last one semester (six months or less). If you plan to stay longer, please find out about other funding opportunities.

Aid can be granted for students with a disability or chronic illness if a degree of disability (GdB) of at least 50 is proven or the restrictions due to a disability correspond to a GdB of at least 50.

A maximum of 10,000 euros can be granted as aid for a period of up to six months to cover the additional expenses incurred abroad (incl. expenses for a possible accompanying person).

Additional expenses can only be claimed if it can be proven that they are not otherwise covered. Medical certificates can only be accepted in German or English.

The personal aid application must be submitted at least two months before the start of the planned mobility measure.

For further information, please visit the DAAD website: https://www.daad.de/de/infos-services-fuer-hochschulen/weiterfuehrende-infos-zu-daad-foerderprogrammen/promos/ or contact us: promos@zv.tu-darmstadt.de

You can also receive a Promos grant for up to 6 months in your Master's degree programme.

Yes, if this does not interfere with your studies.

We require a current transcript of records from you that reflects both your achievements in the Bachelor's programme and (if applicable) in the Master's programme.

If you need to submit multiple transcripts, please combine them into one PDF and upload this document via the online application form.

If you have a foreign BA or MA certificate, we require a conversion of the foreign grades into the German grading system.

No! We need an official printout from the Studienbüro with stamp and signature. All achievements should be listed (BA/MA). Students in the 1st Master's semester need BA transcripts only. TUCaN printouts are NOT accepted!

Yes. You can find the template for the reference letter here. (opens in new tab)

No, because no language and reading skills are tested.

With the Promos scholarship, students of TU Darmstadt only receive the travel allowance. The stay allowance and tuition fees is not part of the funding at TU Darmstadt.

In general, it is possible to combine the PROMOS scholarship with other scholarships, unless the scholarships come from public funds and fulfill the same purpose (support for the stay abroad).

-> Double funding from German public funds is not eligible for funding. If German public funds are used to support stays abroad, the purpose pursued is decisive. This means that PROMOS funding is not possible if the same purpose is already being pursued with German public funds.

DAAD individual scholarships and PROMOS scholarships may not be claimed at the same time.

Combinable grants:

  • Public funds as a travel allowance or for tuition fees (e.g. funding from the department, Hessen programs, Fulbright) ,
  • The PROMOS scholarship can be combined with BAföG abroad, but must be reported to the responsible office for BAföG abroad!
  • The Deutschlandstipendium and PROMOS grants can be received simultaneously without restriction.

PROMOS funding must always be reported to other public German scholarship providers! Please always observe the requirements of the other scholarship provider!

Scholarships from private sources can be received alongside PROMOS scholarships without restriction.

Participation in the Promos program does not include insurance cover abroad. You are responsible for your own insurance cover. The DAAD offers insurance for students abroad; the costs are to be borne by the students. Information on DAAD group insurance (combined health, accident and personal liability insurance) can be found at: https://www.daad.de/versicherung/de/

You can register for the insurance online: https://portal.daad.de

If you have any questions about international insurance, please contact the DAAD insurance office by e-mail: Versicherungsstelle@daad.de