Grants and Opportunities

German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD)

The Alexander von Humboldt Foundation

Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship

German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD)

As an association of higher education institutions and their affiliated student bodies in Germany, DAAD provides funding and support to students and researchers worldwide, making it one of the most prominent funding organizations of its kind around the globe. A wide array of scholarships and research grants are offered annually, with the scholarships being primarily targeted at graduates, doctoral students and postdoc fellows. In some programs, internships are funded as well.

DAAD scholarships are awarded for study and research visits to German universities and research institutions. They usually include a monthly scholarship payment, plus a flat-rate travel allowance. Depending on the offered scholarship program, additional benefits may also be granted, including a one-off research allowance, family benefits or funds for German language courses.

Grants and scholarships are extensively listed in the “scholarship database” available on DAAD website. Potential candidates are advised to carefully review the call for applications for their chosen scholarship program in that database, paying particular attention to application deadlines.

The Alexander von Humboldt Foundation

Alexander von Humboldt (1769-1859) was a German explorer, universal scholar, cosmopolitan patron of excellence and talent. In his honor and inspired by his example, The Alexander von Humboldt Foundation was established in 1953 as an international network of academic cooperation.

The Alexander von Humboldt sponsors German scholars and international academics as part of a foreign cultural and educational policy. The von Humboldt Foundation attempts to strengthen cutting-edge research through internationalization and advance development through academic cooperation. For these purposes, von Humboldt awards more than 700 hundred research fellowships annually. What makes von Humboldt an outstanding foundation is that:

• Its sole selection criterion is academic excellence
• There are no quotas for countries or disciplines
• It sponsors people and not projects
• Academics have free choice of their academic hosts
• Academics can conduct independent scientific research not stipulated by the foundation
• There is no deadline to apply at the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation

The Alexander von Humboldt Foundation invites international young and experienced researchers to find their academic host in all the universities, Leibniz Institutes, Max Planck Institutes, Helmholtz Centers and Fraunhofer Institutes located in Germany.

Humboldt Research Fellowship

Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship

To develop academic collaboration with scholars from all around the world, the Swiss State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI) awards eligible candidates with scholarships under the title of Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship. This scholarship is awarded to those who intend to do their PhD, those who are willing to spend a one-year research fellowship or those who want to take on a post-doctoral position in one of the Swiss universities.  This scholarship is announced annually in early August. Submission deadlines vary according to candidates’ country of origin. More information is available on the website of the Swiss State Secretariat for Education, Research and Education and the Leading House South Asia and Iran at University of Zurich.

Following is an overview of the application process for Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship:

Useful Links:

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Visiting Professor Program

Collaboration with Non-resident Iranian Elites

International Joint Workshops

Staff with Notable International Engagement

SUMS Notable Alumni

Contact International Relations Team

Cooperation Request Form

SUMS Ranking Report

Health Tourism