Research Stays

Opportunities for funded research stays in my group.

We are part of both TU Dresden and ScaDS.AI and welcome researchers at all career stages for on-site research stays in our lab (typically 2–12 months, depending on the program). If you already have funding, feel free to contact us to discuss hosting possibilities. If you require financial support, review the options below — several past research stays in our group have been funded through these programs.

Many funding schemes require a prior agreement with a host professor or an invitation letter. If there is a good research fit, we may be able to provide such support.

Note: We cannot investigate the suitability and eligibility of funding programs for you; please verify these details independently before contacting us.

We look forward to welcoming you to our group!

Master’s Students

Typical Length: 2–6 months (e.g., research internship, thesis-related stay, or short research project)

Possible Funding Sources (Non-Exclusive):

  • Erasmus+ (including International Credit Mobility)
    A common funding route for students whose universities participate in Erasmus+ mobility agreements with TU Dresden. Applications are typically handled through the international office of the home university.

  • Saxon Student Mobility Program (SSMP) – Incoming
    Supports incoming students from selected partner countries (Chile, India, Taiwan, and Vietnam) for study- or research-related stays in Saxony and thus also at TU Dresden.

  • DAAD KOSPIE
    Supports highly qualified students from selected newly industrialised countries in Latin America, Southern Asia, and Northern Africa.

  • Scholarships from your home institution or government.

  • TU Dresden Student Exchange Programs:
    Check with your home university or TU Dresden’s International Office for bilateral exchange opportunities.

How to Proceed:

  1. Identify the relevant scholarship or exchange program.
  2. Please contact Prof. Färber only if your background and research interests are a strong fit with the group’s research areas. Your email should include your CV, a concise research proposal, your current academic status, your preferred start and end dates, and, ideally, information on existing or planned funding.
  3. Please await confirmation regarding the possibility of hosting your research stay before finalising your application. If you do not receive a reply within one week, a polite reminder is welcome.

PhD Students

Typical Length: 3–12 months (short or extended research visits)

Possible Funding Sources:

  • DAAD Research Grants in Germany
    One of the most common funding routes for international doctoral candidates planning a research stay in Germany.

  • Governmental Fellowships or grants from your home institution or national funding agencies.

  • Erasmus+ (doctoral mobility)
    Relevant for doctoral candidates whose universities participate in Erasmus+ mobility agreements with TU Dresden.

  • Saxon Student Mobility Program (SSMP) – Incoming
    Supports research stays of enrolled doctoral students from Chile, India, Taiwan, and Vietnam at Saxon universities, including TU Dresden.

  • COST Actions – Short-Term Scientific Missions (STSM)
    Mobility grants supporting short research visits within European research networks. Our group participates, for example, in the GOBLIN COST Action.

  • China Scholarship Council (CSC) – Visiting PhD Program
    Particularly relevant for Chinese doctoral candidates conducting a research visit abroad while remaining enrolled at their home university (often 6–12 months). CSC commonly funds living expenses and international travel for visiting scholars and PhD researchers. :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}

  • Industry-funded doctoral fellowships (e.g., Google, Meta, Microsoft)
    Some doctoral students funded through competitive industry PhD fellowships receive travel or collaboration funding that allows them to spend several months abroad with a host research group.

  • JSPS Fellowships (Japan Society for the Promotion of Science)
    The JSPS offers fellowship programs supporting Japanese doctoral students and researchers visiting international research groups for collaborative research stays.

How to Proceed:

  1. Check eligibility and deadlines for the relevant fellowship.
  2. Contact Prof. Färber with a short summary of your research topic, funding plans, preferred dates, and current academic status.
  3. Please include a brief explanation of how your work connects to our research areas.

Preference is given to candidates whose research interests closely match the group’s work and who demonstrate strong prior research experience (e.g., publications, open-source contributions, or prior research internships).

Postdocs

If you completed your PhD within the past few years, the following programs may be relevant.
Some funding routes listed above for PhD students (e.g., DAAD research grants, COST STSM, or JSPS fellowships) may also support postdoctoral research visits, depending on the program.

Humboldt Research Fellowship (Postdoc Track)

  • Who’s Eligible: Outstanding researchers from all countries who recently completed their doctorate.
  • What’s Offered: A prestigious fellowship supporting research stays in Germany (typically 6–24 months).
  • When to Apply: Rolling basis.

Georg Forster Research Fellowship (Postdoc Track)

  • Who’s Eligible: Researchers from developing or transition countries whose work contributes to sustainable development in their home region.
  • What’s Offered: Fellowship support for research stays in Germany.

DAAD Research Grants in Germany

Depending on the specific scheme and your career stage, DAAD programs may also support shorter postdoctoral research stays.

COST Actions – Short-Term Scientific Missions (STSM)

Mobility grants supporting collaborative research visits within European research networks.
Our group participates, for example, in the GOBLIN COST Action.

JSPS Fellowships (Japan Society for the Promotion of Science)

Fellowship programs supporting Japanese postdoctoral researchers visiting international research groups.

Dresden Fellowship Program

A TU Dresden-hosted fellowship format for international researchers, particularly suitable for shorter collaborative visits.

Established Researchers

For those with substantial postdoctoral experience—or who are already internationally recognized in their field—consider these programs:

Humboldt Research Fellowship (Experienced Researchers)

Supports outstanding researchers planning a substantial research stay in Germany.

Research Awards (e.g., Friedrich Wilhelm Bessel, Humboldt, Georg Forster Research Prizes)

Prestigious awards enabling internationally recognized researchers to conduct a research stay in Germany.

Dresden Fellowship Program

May also support shorter collaborative stays of established researchers.

Eleonore-Trefftz-Program

A TU Dresden program supporting stays of visiting women scientists for teaching and research.

Living in Dresden: DRESDEN-concept Welcome Center

For practical support regarding visas, housing, health insurance, language courses, and more, the DRESDEN-concept Welcome Center is an excellent resource for international researchers. They also offer family support, events, and integration projects.

A useful additional resource is the Welcome Guide for Researchers.

What to Send Us

If you are interested in a research stay in our group, please email us:

  • your CV
  • a short description of your research interests
  • your current academic status (Master’s student / PhD student / postdoc / professor)
  • your preferred dates and duration
  • the funding program you plan to apply for (if already known)
  • optionally, a short research proposal explaining how your work connects to our research topics

Please contact us well in advance of your intended stay, since many funding programs have long lead times and require prior host confirmation.