“It’s important that we offer grant programs for students with a refugee background in their development as early-career researchers,” says Professor Birgit Ulrike Münch, vice rector for international affairs. “The University of Bonn wants to do more than just provide advice. Alongside its Academy in Exile program for post-doc researchers, we are now in a position to continue offering financial support along that early career phase as well.”
The “iStart Career Program for International Students” (iStart Karriere-Programm für internationale Studierende), part of the “NRWege Lighthouses” (NRWege Leuchttürme) grant program, has also been extended. Its concept lays out support for international students, with or without a refugee background, as they make the transition to employment in Germany befitting their qualifications. Students accepted into the program will receive information and training on the German job market, including details on arranging residence permits/visas and career orientation.
A new grant program has also been established for refugees already at the University, offering full and partial scholarship opportunities. The call for proposals for this funding will be issued at the start of the upcoming summer semester.
Specifically for students from Ukraine, project funding was secured as part of the “Future Ukraine – Grant Programs for Refugees from Ukraine at German Universities” (Zukunft Ukraine) program line. It seeks to help undergraduate and graduate students complete or continue their studies. As with the “Integra” grant program, it is organized under the umbrella of the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) using funds from the German Foreign Ministry. The call for proposals for the “Zukunft Ukraine” scholarships can be found here: https://www.uni-bonn.de/en/university/ukrainewar/information-about-studying?set_language=en
Contact:
International Office
Section 6.3 “International Study Programs in Bonn”
Marina Kohl-Wagner, refugee advisor
Phone: +49 228 73-5948
Email: m.kohl-wagner@uni-bonn.de
Kristina Khrul, iStart coordinator
Phone: +49 228 73-2419
Email: k.khrul@uni-bonn.de