German Academic Exchange Service

The exchange of personnel, which is primarily organized by the German Academic Exchange Service (Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst – DAAD), is to the fore in our research and academic relations policy.

The DAAD is an association of German higher education institutions. It fosters their relations with other countries through the exchange of students and academics and through joint programmes and projects. The DAAD has a worldwide network of offices, lecturers and alumni associations and offers information and advice locally.

Since the establishment of the Federal Republic of Germany, more than 670,000 foreigners from around the world have received funding from the DAAD, including a large number of people who now hold influential positions in politics, in the academic and business communities, as well as in the civil service of their home countries.

Within the framework of the Research and Academic Relations Initiative (2009) the DAAD is extending its range of promotion programmes. For example, a new programme to promote centres of excellence in teaching and research abroad is being initiated, regional studies in Germany are being funded, while cooperation with conflict countries (southern Caucasus) is being stepped up. With the establishment and further development of international quality networks in the fields of climate change and pandemics, the DAAD is participating not only in academic exchange but also in the realization of the Federal Republic of Germany's foreign policy goals. Furthermore, it is strengthening its own network of offices and stepping up its services there for alumni who studied in Germany.

You can find further information on the DAAD website.

• German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD)