PROMOS

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PROMOS, the program to increase the mobility of students at German universities, is financed by the DAAD using funds from the Federal Ministry of Education and Research and enables students and doctoral candidates of the FernUniversität to gain experience abroad in the form of:

The DAAD has created a webpage that illustrates the experiences of a number of students on the PROMOS program as well as providing further information on the program and participating universities told from the perspective of the (fictional) student and PROMOS recipient Lea. The benefits of PROMOS funding include:

  • Assistance with additional costs incurred abroad
  • Help with your preparation (cultural, linguistic, organizational)
  • Special grants for students with disabilities
  • Academic recognition of credits completed abroad

Language courses

Funding is available for specialized language courses at universities and established language institutes abroad with a minimum of 25 hours teaching per week. Information on language courses abroad can be found on the DAAD website.

Who is eligible?

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Doctoral students as well as regularly enrolled students of the FernUniversität in Hagen who have German citizenship or who are considered equal to Germans according to § 8 paragraph 1 number 2 ff, paragraph 2, 2a and 3 of the German Federal Training Assistance Act (BAföG) can apply. Visit the BAföG website for more information.

Non-German students and graduates may also apply if they are enrolled in a degree program at the FernUniversität with the goal of graduating at the FernUniversität or are pursuing a doctorate at the FernUniversität. For this group of persons, stays in their home country are excluded.

Visiting students and Open Access students admitted to a continuing education course/program are not eligible for funding.

How long is the funding period?

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A PROMOS scholarship for a language course stay is awarded for a period of at least 3 weeks and up to a maximum of 6 months.

How much funding is available?

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Recipients will receive a one-time course fee lump sum of 500 euros as well as the monthly “Partial Scholarship: Residence” and a one-time travel allowance (“Partial Scholarship: Mobility”) calculated according to the DAAD funding rates (PDF 142 KB). In addition, people with disabilities can apply for special funding. Payment of the partial monthly scholarship is made in installments.

How can I apply?

Find out more

  1. Choose a language course at a host university (worldwide).
    Still not sure about where you want to go? Read the testimonials (German) of other students for inspiration and some useful tips.
  2. Submit your application documents by email to your contact person (see below) by the deadline. You will need to submit the following application materials:
  • PROMOS application form (PDF 164 KB) (please open in a suitable PDF reader; the form function may not work when displayed in a browser)
  • Letter of motivation/presentation of the project abroad (max. 2 pages)
  • Curriculum vitae in tabular form including information on foreign language skills and involvement in academic self-administration/university policy issues as well as other political, social, cultural interests and corresponding commitment
  • Letter of recommendation from a university lecturer, in particular regarding the relevance of the stay abroad for your studies/doctorate at the FernUniversität. Formulation aid for assessment (for teachers) (PDF 85 KB)
  • Confirmation from the host institution indicating the duration of the stay and the number of teaching hours of the language course
  • List of all modules completed to date with grade transcripts, additional academic transcripts if applicable (e.g., Bachelor’s degree or intermediate exam)
  • If applicable, proof of current level of language skills (DAAD language test, TOEFL® test, DELF/DALF, DELE, UNIcert®, VHS course, or similar)
  • Certificate of enrollment for the period of the stay abroad (can be submitted later; if not yet available: current certificate of enrollment)

Application deadline: 10 weeks before the start of your stay abroad at the latest

The decisive factors for ensuring successful funding are

  • Your application documents (completeness, coherence, motivation for the stay abroad)
  • The qualification/credits that you will achieve
  • The relevance of the planned stay in relation to your previous/ongoing studies
  • Relevant language skills
  • The fulfillment of the formal requirements

PROMOS scholarships are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis and are subject to the available funds. A decision can usually be expected within 6 weeks.

What other conditions are associated with the grant?

Find out more

A PROMOS grant does not include insurance coverage. You need to ensure that you have sufficient insurance coverage before you leave for your stay abroad. Coverage is also available through the DAAD.

Funding may only be provided if there is no travel warning issued by the German Foreign Office for the country or region of the country in question during the funding period. If you are traveling to a region with a critical security situation, you should register on the website of the German Foreign Office (“Elektronische Erfassung von Deutschen im Ausland”). In this context, please also refer to the DAAD’s information on general safety precautions (PDF) for travel and stays abroad.

After your stay abroad, you must

  • provide verification of the actual duration of your stay abroad in the form of a written confirmation issued by the host institution
  • submit a short written report (testimonial) about the experience

What else needs to be considered?

Find out more

We strongly advise you start planning your stay abroad as early as possible (approx. 1 year in advance). For more information about language courses abroad, please visit the DAAD website.

Students who are eligible for BAföG assistance can also claim this for their stay abroad. You may be required to report any PROMOS funding you receive to the BAföG office for foreign studies. For further information on BAföG, please contact your local BAföG office.

Subject to change without notice.

Who is the contact person?

Find out more

The staff in the International Office (phone: +49 2331 987-4245, e-mail: international) will be happy to answer your questions.


Specialist courses

Funding is provided for specialist courses such as summer/winter schools at universities abroad. You will find overviews of specialist course offered in Europe and the USA on the Internet, but be aware that some courses are often (only) publicized on the website of the respective university. Lecture and congress trips are not eligible for funding, as these are funded directly through the DAAD.

Who is eligible?

Find out more

Doctoral students as well as regularly enrolled students of the FernUniversität in Hagen who have German citizenship or who are considered equal to Germans according to § 8 paragraph 1 number 2 ff, paragraph 2, 2a and 3 of the German Federal Training Assistance Act (BAföG) can apply. Visit the BAföG website for more information.

Non-German students and graduates may also apply if they are enrolled in a degree program at the FernUniversität with the goal of graduating at the FernUniversität or are pursuing a doctorate at the FernUniversität. For this group of persons, stays in their home country are excluded.

Visiting students and Open Access students admitted to a continuing education course/program are not eligible for funding.

How long is the funding period?

Find out more

A PROMOS scholarship for a specialist course stay is awarded for a maximum period of 6 weeks.

How much funding is available?

mehr Infos

Recipients will receive a one-time payment of (up to) 500 euros to cover their course fee as well as the monthly “Partial Scholarship: Residence” and a one-time travel allowance (“Partial Scholarship: Mobility”) calculated according to the DAAD funding rates (PDF 142 KB). In addition, people with disabilities can apply for special funding. Payment of the partial monthly scholarship is made in installments.

How can I apply?

Find out more

  1. Select a specialist course at a host university (worldwide).
    Still not sure about where you want to go? Read the testimonials (German) of other students for inspiration and some useful tips doctoral.
  2. Check with the FernUniversität examination office (or in the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences: with your study program coordinator) about the possible recognition of the specialist course (not required for doctoral students).
  3. Submit your application documents by email to your contact person (see below) by the deadline. You will need to submit the following application materials:
  • PROMOS application form (PDF 164 KB) (please open in a suitable PDF reader; the form function may not work when displayed in a browser)
  • Letter of motivation/presentation of the project abroad (max. 2 pages)
  • Curriculum vitae in tabular form including information on foreign language skills and involvement in academic self-administration/university policy issues as well as other political, social, cultural interests and corresponding commitment
  • Letter of recommendation from a university lecturer, in particular regarding the relevance of the stay abroad for your studies/doctorate at the FernUniversität. Formulation aid for assessment (for teachers) (PDF 85 KB)
  • A confirmation from the host institution indicating the duration of your stay
  • List of all modules completed to date with grade transcripts, additional academic transcripts if applicable (e.g., Bachelor’s degree or intermediate exam)
  • If applicable, proof of current level of language skills (DAAD language test, TOEFL® test, DELF/DALF, DELE, UNIcert®, VHS course, or similar)
  • If required, confirmation from the examination office (DOC 59 KB) that the specialist course can be recognized your study program (not required for doctoral students)
  • Certificate of enrollment for the period of the stay abroad (can be submitted later; if not yet available: current certificate of enrollment)

Application deadline: 10 weeks before the start of your stay abroad at the latest

The decisive factors for ensuring successful funding are

  • Your application documents (completeness, coherence, motivation for the stay abroad)
  • The qualification/credits that you will achieve
  • The relevance of the planned stay in relation to your previous/ongoing studies
  • Relevant language skills
  • The fulfillment of the formal requirements

PROMOS scholarships are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis and are subject to the available funds. A decision can usually be expected within 6 weeks.

What other conditions are associated with the grant?

Find out more

A PROMOS grant does not include insurance coverage. You need to ensure that you have sufficient insurance coverage before you leave for your stay abroad. Coverage is also available through the DAAD.

Funding may only be provided if there is no travel warning issued by the German Foreign Office for the country or region of the country in question during the funding period. If you are traveling to a region with a critical security situation, you should register on the website of the German Foreign Office (“Elektronische Erfassung von Deutschen im Ausland”). In this context, please also refer to the DAAD’s information on general safety precautions (PDF) for travel and stays abroad.

After your stay abroad, you must

  • provide verification of the actual duration of your stay abroad in the form of a written confirmation issued by the host institution
  • submit a short written report (testimonial) about the experience

What else needs to be considered?

Find out more

We strongly advise starting to plan your stay abroad as early as possible (approx. 1 year in advance).

Students who are eligible for BAföG assistance can also claim this for their stay abroad. You may be required to report any PROMOS funding you receive to the BAföG office for foreign studies. For further information on BAföG, please contact your local BAföG office.

Subject to change without notice.

Who is the contact person?

Find out more

The staff in the International Office (phone: +49 2331 987-4245, e-mail: international) will be happy to answer your questions.


Study tours (university representatives)

Funding is available for group study trips abroad. In addition to imparting subject-related knowledge and providing an insight into the host country, the focus should be on meeting students and other academics. Trips with a program predominantly focused on tourist activities as well as lecture and congress trips are not eligible for funding. An application can only be submitted by a university representative.

Who is eligible?

Find out more

Funding is available to doctoral students as well as regularly enrolled students of the FernUniversität in Hagen who have German citizenship or who are considered equal to Germans according to § 8 paragraph 1 number 2 ff, paragraph 2, 2a and 3 of the German Federal Training Assistance Act (BAföG). Visit the BAföG website for more information.

Non-German students and graduates may also be sponsored if they are enrolled in a degree program at the FernUniversität with the goal of obtaining their degree at the FernUniversität or are pursuing a doctorate at the FernUniversität. For this group of persons, stays in their home country are excluded.

In addition, a maximum of one accompanying university representative may be funded.

Visiting students and Open Access students admitted to a continuing education course/program are not eligible for funding.

An application can only be submitted by a university representative.

How long is the funding period?

mehr Infos

A PROMOS scholarship for a study tour stay is awarded for a maximum period of 12 days.

How much funding is available?

Find out more

Subsidies may also be available for the accommodation costs of each sponsored person (student, doctoral student, university representative) in the amount of

  • 45 euros per day for study trips to all countries.

In addition, people with disabilities can apply for special funding.

A maximum of 25 group participants can be funded.

How can I apply?

Find out more

  1. If necessary, ask your contact person (see below) for advice.
  2. Select a host institution/country (worldwide), and put together a program.
  3. Select the group participants. The criteria should be based on good academic performance at the FernUniversität and necessary language skills (the final selection can also be made after the PROMOS application).
  4. As a university representative, submit all application documents for the study tour to your contact person (see below) by e-mail in good time. You will need to submit the following application materials:
  • PROMOS Application Form for Study Trip (PDF 144 KB) (please open in a suitable PDF Reader; the form function may not work when displayed in a browser)
  • A detailed description of the program for the project abroad including a schedule
  • Presentation of the preparations of the participants in terms of content (e.g., obligatory attendance of seminars), integration in the FernUni study program and the targeted learning outcomes
  • Budget plan
  • List of participants (XLSX 13 KB) including surname, first name, gender, nationality, address, course of study, IBAN and BIC of each grant recipient (can be submitted later)
  • Letter of invitation from the foreign university/host institution, if applicable

Application deadline: no later than 10 weeks before the start of the study trip

The decisive factors for ensuring successful funding are the application documents (completeness, coherence), the mediation of subject-related knowledge, opportunities for German students to meet foreign students and academics, the consideration of aspects of regional studies, the fulfillment of formal requirements and that the trip does not have a predominantly touristic program. Preference will be given to applications from teaching areas that have not previously received PROMOS study travel funding. PROMOS scholarships are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis and are subject to the available funds. A decision can usually be expected within 6 weeks.

What other conditions are associated with the grant?

Find out more

A PROMOS grant does not include insurance coverage. You need to ensure that you have sufficient insurance coverage before you leave for your stay abroad. Coverage is also available through the DAAD.

Funding may only be provided if there is no travel warning issued by the German Foreign Office for the country or region of the country in question during the funding period. If you are traveling to a region with a critical security situation, you should register on the website of the German Foreign Office (“Elektronische Erfassung von Deutschen im Ausland”). In this context, please also refer to the DAAD’s information on general safety precautions for travel and stays abroad.

After the stay abroad, each participant must submit a short written report about their experiences. A list of participants signed by all grant recipients must also be submitted.

What else needs to be considered?

Find out more

Early planning (about 1 year in advance) is strongly advised.

Students who are eligible for BAföG assistance can also claim this for their stay abroad. You may be required to report any PROMOS funding you receive to the BAföG office for foreign studies. For further information on BAföG, please contact your local BAföG office.

Subject to change without notice.

Who is the contact person?

Find out more

The staff in the International Office (phone: +49 2331 987-4245, e-mail: international) will be happy to answer your questions.


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International Office | 26.06.2024