The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) has launched the “Hilde Domin Scholarship Programme” with funds from the German Federal Foreign Office (AA). The programme serves to support students and doctoral candidates from across the globe (Syria is included) who are at risk of being denied of educational or other rights in their country of origin and to provide these students and doctoral candidates with an opportunity to begin or complete a study or research degree at a higher education institution in Germany. You can read more about the scholarship and what will it cover here.

Students and researchers in danger cannot apply themselves for the scholarship; they should be nominated by one of DAAD’s stakeholders/partners.

We, at the German – Syrian Research Society (DSFG e.V.), are one of those institutions taking the responsibility for nomination.

You can apply if:

1. You are a student, graduate, or doctoral candidate from all disciplines, except fine arts, performing arts, design, visual communication, music, film, and architecture, as well as
   human medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine, pharmacy, and law.
2. You are at least 18 years old and live outside Germany and EU countries.
3. Your latest degree obtained is not older than 2 years
4. You can study either in English or German (with B2 level)
5. You can prove or credibly demonstrate a threat to your personal well-being or safety (e.g.
   physical violence, arrest, denial of civil and educational rights, etc.).
6. Your score in the latest degree obtained is above 70%, or you have already secured a university program acceptance from Germany. This will increase your chances to be
   Nevertheless, proving to be at risk is the determining factor of nomination.

If you think you are a student/researcher in danger/risk, please do not hesitate to send your application; we deal with your information with respect and the highest confidentiality. Your data will be securely dealt with in accordance with the European Frame for Data Protection.

How this will work:

• We will receive your files and assess them. If you prove to be in danger/risk, you will be nominated to DAAD for further application.
• DAAD will contact you and request your official application.

As you notice here, this is a two-layer verification process, especially addressed to students/researchers at risk. If you do not consider yourself at risk, please apply to other DAAD regular scholarships, which do not require a nomination.

How to apply:
To apply, you are kindly requested to send us the following documents by submitting the application form below, providing the following:

1. A current short CV
2. A copy of your last obtained certificate, if applicable (School-leaving certificate, Bachelor, Master’s,…)
3. A letter of max. 400 – 500 words in which you explain why you think you are at risk. Please note that this letter SHOULD NOT include your name, as we are going to assess it anonymously.
4. Proofs you are threatened where you live These may include personal written reports, written records such as official documents, posts on social media, letters documenting specific incidents in detail, witness statements, as well as official acknowledgments of a granted refugee status and/or eligibility for asylum.
   Please note that the gathered data will be deleted after the assessment process.

If you have a problem applying through the website, please inform us by e-mail (hilde.domin@ds-fg.com)

Next application round:
The deadline is 10.02.2025 at 23:59 Berlin Time
Applications received after midnight (Berlin time) will not be considered.
All applicants, nominated and not nominated, will be notified via e-mail.
We will assess your application (minimum requirements and risk-related only). In case our assessors decided to nominate your application, we will nominate you directly to DAAD. DAAD will contact you and ask you to fill out your academic application on their website.