Return Grants for International Visiting Scholars

Funding covers travel and accommodation expenses for the international visiting scholar, i.e. a lump-sum according to DAAD-rates and a flat accommodation rate of 160 euros per day (for up to 5 days).

In order to receive funding, the international visiting scholar must be involved in activities that support early-career reseachers at the University of Bonn (e.g. as part of the qualification program of graduate schools, offering a block seminar for doctoral students or similar). The funding cannot be awarded for past visits.

International visiting scholars are researchers who currently work outside of Germany and who have already been in Bonn for at least one short research stay. 

• Academic excellence of the international visiting scholar
• Former cooperation between the host and the international visiting scholar
• Extent and quality of the international visiting scholar’s involvement in measures that support early-career researchers at the University of Bonn
• Academic quality of the research environment of the host

The decision on the award of funding will be made by an interdisciplinary selection committee of scholars. The Bonn Graduate Center supports the members of the committee in an advisory capacity. The members are:

Jun.-Prof. Dr. Alessandro Bismuto, Prof. Dr. Sabine Feist, Jun.-Prof. Dr. Jacqueline Lorenzen, Jun.-Prof. Dr. Marie-Christine Simon, Prof. Dr. Andreas Forstner, and Jun.-Prof. Dr. Luna Rösinger.

Applications must be submitted electronically via the application form linked above and must include the following documents:

• Academic CV of the international visiting scholar¹
• Description of former contacts and cooperation between the international visiting scholar and the University of Bonn (max. 1 page) as well as description of how the international visiting scholar will be involved in measures that support early-career researchers
• Brief explanation of the reasons for choosing the international visiting scholar; or in case of self-applications from international visiting scholar: letter of support from the host (max. 1 page)

¹ Family responsibilities, parental leave, illness and further breaks are, of course, taken into account. Please explain possible interruptions in your application.

How long can I stay at the University of Bonn as a visiting scholar?

Funding is available for stays of up to five days. Your stay at the University of Bonn may last longer than five days, but travel and accommodation allowances will be approved for a maximum of five days.

When can I expect a decision on my application?

The decision on your application will be sent to you by email approximately six weeks after the deadline for applications. The deadline for the call for applications applies, not the date on which you submitted your application. Please refrain from making any inquiries during this period.

What do I need to bear in mind when the grant is paid out?

In the event of a grant being awarded, the international visiting scholar will first be registered at the University of Bonn by the host institution. Once you have submitted your payment details, it will take approximately six weeks for your funding to be paid out. You will receive the lump sums for travel and accommodation costs regardless of the actual costs incurred. This means that you do not need to submit any receipts to prove the actual costs. Please note that advance payments are not possible.