daad

1. The DAAD is the world’s largest funding organisation for the international
exchange of students and researchers. Find out more about who we are and
what we stand for.
Since it was founded in 1925, around two million scholars in Germany and abroad have
received DAAD funding. It is a registered association and its members are German
institutions of higher education and student bodies. Its activities go far beyond simply
awarding grants and scholarships. The DAAD supports the internationalisation of German
universities, promotes German studies and the German language abroad, assists
developing countries in establishing effective universities and advises decision makers on
matters of cultural, education and development policy
Its budget is derived mainly from the federal funding for various ministries, primarily the
German Federal Foreign Office, but also from the European Union and a number of
enterprises, organisations and foreign governments. Its head office is in Bonn, but the
DAAD also has an office in the German capital, Berlin, to which the famous Berlin Artists-in-
Residence Programme (Berliner Künstlerprogramm) is closely affiliated. It maintains contact
with and provides advice to its main partner countries on every continent via a network of
regional offices and information centres.
In 2016, the DAAD funded more than 131.000 German and international scholars
worldwide. The funding offers range from a year abroad for undergraduates to doctoral
programmes, from internships to visiting lectureships, and from information gathering visits
to assisting with the establishment of new universities abroad. Voluntary, independent
selection committees decide on the funding. The selection committee members are
appointed by the DAAD's Executive Committee according to certain appointment principles.
The DAAD supports the international activities of German institutions of higher education
through marketing services, publications, the staging of events and training courses.
The motto of the DAAD is “Change by Exchange” – a concept that applies to
more than the students and researchers we support. For the DAAD as a
funding organisation, change means welcoming the challenges of this
dynamic process and participating in shaping it.
Change by exchange...
… is the motto of the DAAD. Exchange promotes understanding between countries and
individuals and helps secure the peace. New scientific findings enable us to meet global
challenges. Cooperation contributes to political and social progress.

2. We are
• The independent organisation of German higher education institutions and their student bodies,
devoted to internationalising the academic system
• An experienced intermediary between university systems and a worldwide network of external
partners
• A German institution in Europe, which contributes to shaping the European Higher Education Area
and the European Research Area and promotes European interests throughout the world
• A professional organisation which fully supports and relies on its employees, whose competence and
international expertise are vital to its operation
We promote academic exchange through
• Scholarships for the Best – supporting students and researchers in Germany and abroad who have
demonstrated outstanding academic merit and wish to assume responsibility
• Structures for Internationalisation – creating university structures which promote international
qualification, mobility and dialogue, and thereby improve the quality of research and instruction
• Expertise for Academic Collaborations – making our expertise in educational cultures and academic
systems available in order to facilitate collaboration between academics and institutions
We want to
• Educate future leaders, who are connected internationally and act in a globally responsible manner
• Provide access to the best study and research opportunities available, thereby strengthening the
quality and competitiveness of the universities
• Meet the challenges of the future through the vibrant exchange between academic systems
• Help developing countries establish effective university systems which, in turn, promote social,
economic and political development
• Bridge divides and lines of conflict and encourage open dialogue between cultures
• Stimulate interest in Germany, its culture and language and preserve language diversity in research
and academia
Change by exchange …
… is our contribution to shaping a global society that finds solutions to the pressing issues
of tomorrow.
The DAAD stimulates internationalisation and global responsibility. It acts as an
independent intermediary between various partners and their interests. The real motors of
change, however, are students and researchers who cross borders every day through their
work, and the institutions of higher education which support them in their commitment.
We owe our success to all of those, who share our goals and actively support us in our
efforts.
Facts & figures

3. We present the latest facts and figures about the activities of the DAAD, its
member universities and international partners.
Since it was founded, the DAAD has supported more than 2.0 million academics in
Germany and abroad. In 2015, the DAAD funded 127,039 people from all regions of the
world – 53 percent of whom were women. Funding and scholarships went to 51,627
foreigners and 75,412 Germans. The DAAD funding programmes provide scholarships
which help finance a semester abroad, doctoral programmes and internships, guest
lectureships, visits to information events, and even the establishment of new universities
abroad.
In practically every corner of the world, DAAD employees share their expertise
and ensure that international experience from many different perspectives is
channelled into their projects.
The DAAD relies on a network of 15 regional offices and 56 Information centres (ICs) in 60
countries, about 450 “Lektors” and language assistants, 20 Centres of German and
European Studies, 29 German-language degree programmes in Central and Eastern
Europe, a diverse range of DAAD-funded university projects abroad, ranging from individual
courses to establishing new universities, and a pool of 335,000 alumni. It is this network
which provides the DAAD with a comprehensive view of the political, economic, social and
higher-educational circumstances in each respective country.
Internationalising the system of scientific research and innovation
The most important responsibilities of the DAAD include granting
scholarships, promoting the internationalisation activities of German
universities and research organisations, strengthening German cultural and
language studies abroad and helping developing countries establish
productive higher education institutions. The DAAD is also the National
Agency for EU Higher Education Cooperation.

4. Staff, structures & processes
The DAAD is an association of German institutions of higher education and
their student bodies. Convening in a general assembly, they elect the
Executive Committee which oversees the organisation’s day-to-day
operations. Since it was founded in 1925, the DAAD has supported more than
1.9 million academics in Germany and abroad. It relies on a strong
organisational structure, a worldwide network of partners and alumni and a
motivated staff of over 900 employees.
The DAAD supports over 100,000 German and international students und
researchers around the globe each year – making it the world’s largest funding
organisation of its kind. We also promote internationalisation efforts at German
universities, help developing countries build their own systems of higher
education, and support German Studies and German language programmes
abroad. Our Artists-in-Berlin Program is one of the most renowned international
scholarship programmes for artists.
The DAAD in the past, present and future
A brief look back at history shows that the DAAD has a long tradition of uniting
people and academia. Founded in Heidelberg in 1925 on the initiative of a
single student, the DAAD has since become one of the most important
funding organisations in the world for the international exchange of students
and researchers. On the following pages, we invite you to learn more about
our funding programmes and the aims of our activities.

5. The DAAD contributes to development cooperation in numerous ways and
with a broad range of scholarships, partnership programmes and advising
services. We strive to achieve our development policy goals with an approach
that is based on partnership, sustainability and transparency. The most
important funding body in the field of development cooperation is the Federal
Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). The majority of
the projects are implemented by universities in Germany and the developing
countries.
Our approach
In September 2015, the UN General Assembly and representatives from developing and
industrialised countries jointly issued the Development Agenda 2030/“Sustainable
Development Goals“ (PDF, 0.4 MB). The agenda places a stronger emphasis on the
principle of partnership in order to find a joint solution to problems which equally affect the
South and North. The funding approach and instruments of the DAAD are especially suited
to meeting the requirements associated with international cooperation. Southern and
Northern partners in the academic sector channel their expertise and experience into
collaborative projects and work at eye level toward addressing the global problems of the
future. The fact that the participating partners are motivated by their own academic interests
encourages them to assume more responsibility and helps create sustainable structures
and international innovation networks even after public funding has concluded.
At the same time, partnerships between higher education institutions in Germany and their
counterparts in developing countries complement development cooperation policies at the
governmental level. Especially when political relations are strained, such projects can
create alternative opportunities for German development cooperation beyond bilaterally
negotiated agreements.
In addition to partnership and sustainability, transparency and quality are central
characteristics of our funding activities. German universities have a say in deciding which
partnerships and academics the DAAD should support. An independent selection
committee comprised of German professors representing a variety of disciplines makes the
funding decisions on the basis of transparent and academically substantiated criteria.
German professors are also involved in the selection process of co-financed projects and
take part in international selection panels in partner countries.
Our goals
Higher education and science have become increasingly important in the area of
development cooperation. And for good reason, as the lack of well-trained professionals
and widespread inaccessibility to global knowledge production are hindering many
developing countries from overcoming poverty. Universities in many countries in the South
are underfinanced and overcrowded. Especially the rapidly expanding higher education

6. systems in Africa are facing an enormous lack of highly qualified university instructors and
professionally relevant degree programmes. Internationally recognised research only takes
place at a handful of Excellence Centres in Africa.
Our funding programmes in the area of development cooperation aim to improve this
situation.
We are committed to achieving Goal 4 of the SDG Agenda which calls for an equitable,
high-quality education for all. We also recognise the impact of higher education and science
for achieving numerous development policy goals beyond the higher education sector, for
example, in the areas of good governance, resource conservation, health and climate
change.
Broadening access
In accordance with the BMZ Education Strategy (PDF, 0.3 MB), the DAAD strives to ensure
equal opportunity and access to higher education and science for everyone. In many
countries in the Global South, access to higher education is limited and inequitably
distributed. We want to change this situation, for example, by specifically supporting women
in science, removing academic barriers for the poorest in developing countries, and
promoting open and distance learning (ODL).
Improving quality
Broader access to academic programmes can only lead to success if compliance with
minimum quality standards is ensured. For this reason we are focusing our efforts on
improving the quality of higher education and research in developing countries. Effective
and transparent university structures, as well as quality instruction, are crucial for achieving
this goal.
Raising relevance
We also aim to increase the relevance of higher education and research for development
purposes. To this end, we enable universities to act as drivers of entrepreneurial
development and to expand their partnerships in business, politics and civil society. This
enhances the professional and practical relevance of the universities’ degree programmes.
By carefully coordinating individual and institutional capacity development, we can respond
better to the needs of our partners and funding recipients. We are constantly working to
increase the practical relevance of our programmes and funding concepts.
In order to achieve the goals we have set, we have designed our funding instruments
specifically to address the needs of developing and emerging countries. A results-based
monitoring system helps us to continually monitor the effectiveness of our programmes and
improve the quality and transparency of our work.
Our fields of activity
The DAAD strives to achieve the development policy goals mentioned above using the
means of academic exchange in three fields of activity as defined in the DAAD Strategy
2020. We do this by building on the expertise and experience gained from years of
cooperating with developing and emerging countries.
Educating professionals and leaders of tomorrow
In funding programmes aimed to advance the development agenda, the DAAD provides
academic opportunities to scholarship holders from developing and emerging countries.
These scholarship holders become tomorrow’s professionals, business leaders and
“change agents” who bring about long-term political, economic and social transformation.

7. Our funding recipients and alumni not only help address local and global problems with
innovative solutions. They also become Germany’s cooperation partners in our partner
countries.
Building strong universities
Through project funding, the DAAD contributes to strengthening universities in developing
and emerging countries. Our portfolio of funding instruments ranges from providing alumni
support to helping universities develop modern curricula. We support university partnerships
which establish joint degree programmes and build international research networks that
focus on the Sustainable Development Goals. Such cooperation projects are born of mutual
interests and are implemented on equal terms by universities in Germany and in developing
countries.
Expertise for academic cooperation
The DAAD possesses extensive knowledge about the structures of higher education
cooperation and scientific systems worldwide. Not only do we draw on the experience of our
staff, but also on a global network of regional offices, information centres and DAAD
Lektors. These are engaged in ongoing dialogue with university representatives in the
partner countries which carry out development projects. We cultivate intensive contacts to
foreign education and research ministries, university rectors’ conferences and regional
associations of higher education, all of which provide us with first-hand information.
We also tap the knowledge and expertise of German universities by funding for example the
“exceed” centres which promote excellence in higher education in developing countries.
These countries require reliable research, local know-how and innovative ideas in order to
successfully implement comprehensive education policies. The DAAD bundles this
knowledge and makes it available to the partner countries, for example, through the
programme “Dialogue on Innovative Higher Education Strategies (DIES)“, financed in part
by the German Rectors’ Conference (HRK), which aims to install quality assurance systems
in the developing countries.
Our partners
Our involvement in development cooperation is supported by a number of partners. The
resulting synergies strengthen the political impact of our development cooperation
measures.
All partnerships benefit from the resources and competence which German universities
contribute, thereby creating a driving force for sustainable development, as outlined by
the statement by the DAAD Board of Trustees (PDF, 0.1 MB). In order to achieve success,
however, it is essential that their partners in the developing countries also actively support
the collaboration.
A large share of allocated funding in 2015 – about 45 million euros – was provided by
the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). The DAAD
received additional funding for selected projects from the Gesellschaft für Internationale
Zusammenarbeit (GIZ).
In the DIES University Management Programme, the DAAD offers various demand-oriented
funding programmes to enable universities in developing countries to adapt their degree
programmes to international quality standards, enhance their research capacities and
develop more competitive organisational structures. The funded universities also benefit
from the support of the German Rectors’ Conference (HRK).

8. Economic partners and universities work together to establish contacts between university
graduates and prospective employers. This helps take the demands of the job market into
account and prevents unemployment and brain drain. University-business-
partnerships and DIES partnership programmes are targeted at establishing and deepening
relations with the business sector.
By collaborating with stakeholders of bilateral development cooperation, we create
synergies and increase the coherence and efficacy of our joint efforts. For example, the
DAAD is involved in a joint programme with the GIZ and the Kreditanstalt für Wiederaufbau
(KfW) at the Pan-African University (PAU).
Cooperating with international organisations like UNESCO and the World Bank, the DAAD
can use their systemic know-how or combine their infrastructural measures with funds for
maintenance and training of technical personnel to take full advantage of new equipment.
Such joint efforts play a prominent role in the new World Bank programme to build “African
Centres of Excellence”.
In order to further increase the relevance of higher education and research for development
policy, the DAAD aims to strengthen existing collaborations with our partners in business,
politics and civil society, and continue to promote universities as drivers of entrepreneurial
development.
The Scholarship Database contains details on the programmes offered by the
DAAD and by other scholarship awarding organisations for foreign students,
academics and researchers interested in finding sources of funding to
complete study or research stays in Germany.
Besides the programmes listed here, a number of more specialised funding programmes
are also available for specific countries or regions which are not mentioned in the database.
Information on these can be obtained from the DAAD Regional Offices, the German
Missions Abroad (Embassies and Consulates General) or from the relevant offices at
universities abroad, for example, the International Office.
The scholarships offered by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) are awarded
to younger university graduates (and in exceptions, also to advanced students) from all
academic disciplines as well as from the fields of music, art, and performing arts. Funding is
also available for young and early-stage researchers, university teachers and groups of
students completing study visits under the guidance of a university teacher. This support is
largely financed by the Federal Foreign Office from public funds made available to it.
The DAAD policy on awarding scholarships is as follows: the DAAD aims to fund and
support foreign students, graduates, doctoral students, and young and early-stage
researchers whose previous research and academic achievements place them at least in
the top third of their age group and who can additionally be expected in the future to

9. become key players and top performers in their career fields combined with an awareness
for the social responsibility which this involves.
Funding is available for stays at state (public) or state-recognised universities and at non-
university research institutes in Germany.
As a rule, the minimum age for applications is 18. At the time of application, generally no
more than six years should have passed since the graduate gained the last degree; in the
case of doctoral students, no more than three years should have passed since starting the
doctoral process; and in the case of postdocs, no more than two years should have passed
since gaining the doctorate. In the case of postdocs who are applying for a short stay (of up
to six months), no more than four years should have passed since gaining the doctorate.
Depending on the country of origin of applicants, for example, special conditions prevailing
in the home country education system, etc., exceptions are possible. Further country-
specific information is available on our scholarship database.
Facts & figures
We presentthe latestfactsandfiguresaboutthe activitiesof the DAAD,itsmemberuniversitiesand
international partners.
Since itwas founded,the DAADhassupportedmore than2.0 millionacademicsinGermanyandabroad.
In 2015, the DAADfunded127,039 people fromall regionsof the world –53 percentof whomwere
women.Fundingandscholarshipswentto51,627 foreignersand75,412 Germans.The DAADfunding
programmesprovide scholarshipswhichhelpfinance asemesterabroad,doctoral programmesand
internships,guestlectureships,visitstoinformationevents,andeventhe establishmentof new
universitiesabroad.
In practicallyeverycornerof the world,DAADemployeesshare theirexpertise andensure that
international experience frommanydifferentperspectivesischannelledintotheirprojects.
The DAAD reliesonanetworkof 15 regional officesand56 Informationcentres(ICs)in60 countries,
about450 “Lektors”and language assistants,20Centresof German andEuropeanStudies,29 German-
language degree programmesinCentral andEasternEurope,adiverse range of DAAD-fundeduniversity
projectsabroad,rangingfrom individual coursestoestablishingnew universities,andapool of 335,000

10. alumni.Itisthisnetworkwhichprovidesthe DAADwithacomprehensive view of the political,
economic,social andhigher-educationalcircumstancesineachrespective country.
Internationalisingthe systemof scientificresearchandinnovation
The most importantresponsibilitiesof the DAADinclude grantingscholarships,promotingthe
internationalisationactivitiesof Germanuniversitiesandresearchorganisations,strengthening German
cultural and language studiesabroadandhelpingdevelopingcountriesestablishproductivehigher
educationinstitutions.The DAADisalsothe National AgencyforEU HigherEducationCooperation.
Staff,structures& processes
The DAAD isan associationof Germaninstitutionsof highereducationandtheirstudentbodies.
Conveninginageneral assembly,theyelectthe Executive Committeewhichoverseesthe organisation’s
day-to-dayoperations.Since itwasfoundedin1925, the DAADhas supported more than1.9 million
academicsinGermanyand abroad.It reliesona strongorganisational structure,aworldwide networkof
partnersand alumni anda motivatedstaff of over900 employees.
The DAAD supportsover100,000 German andinternational studentsundresearchersaroundthe globe
each year– makingitthe world’slargestfundingorganisationof itskind.We alsopromote
internationalisationeffortsatGermanuniversities,helpdevelopingcountriesbuildtheirownsystemsof
highereducation,andsupportGermanStudiesandGermanlanguage programmesabroad.OurArtists-
in-BerlinProgramisone of the mostrenownedinternational scholarshipprogrammesforartists.
The DAAD inthe past, presentandfuture
A brief lookbackat historyshowsthatthe DAADhas a longtraditionof unitingpeopleandacademia.
FoundedinHeidelbergin1925 on the initiative of asingle student,the DAADhassince become one of

11. the most importantfundingorganisationsinthe worldforthe internationalexchangeof studentsand
researchers.Onthe followingpages,we invite youtolearnmore aboutourfundingprogrammesand
the aimsof our activities.
The DAAD contributestodevelopmentcooperationinnumerouswaysandwithabroadrange of
scholarships,partnershipprogrammesandadvisingservices.We strive toachieve ourdevelopment
policygoalswithanapproach that isbasedon partnership,sustainabilityandtransparency.The most
importantfundingbodyinthe fieldof developmentcooperationisthe FederalMinistryforEconomic
CooperationandDevelopment(BMZ).The majorityof the projectsare implementedbyuniversitiesin
Germanyand the developingcountries.
Our approach
In September2015, the UN General Assemblyandrepresentativesfromdevelopingandindustrialised
countriesjointlyissuedthe DevelopmentAgenda2030/“Sustainable DevelopmentGoals“(PDF,0.4MB).
The agendaplacesa strongeremphasisonthe principle of partnershipinordertofind a jointsolutionto
problemswhichequallyaffectthe SouthandNorth.The fundingapproachand instrumentsof the DAAD
are especiallysuitedtomeetingthe requirementsassociatedwithinternational cooperation.Southern
and Northernpartnersinthe academicsectorchannel theirexpertiseandexperience intocollaborative
projectsandwork at eye level towardaddressingthe global problemsof the future.The factthatthe
participatingpartnersare motivatedbytheirownacademicinterestsencouragesthem toassume more
responsibilityandhelpscreate sustainablestructuresandinternationalinnovationnetworksevenafter
publicfundinghasconcluded.
At the same time,partnershipsbetweenhighereducationinstitutionsinGermanyandtheir
counterpartsin developingcountriescomplementdevelopmentcooperationpoliciesatthe
governmental level.Especiallywhenpolitical relationsare strained,suchprojectscancreate alternative
opportunitiesforGermandevelopmentcooperationbeyondbilaterallynegotiatedagreements.
In additiontopartnershipandsustainability,transparencyandqualityare central characteristicsof our
fundingactivities.Germanuniversitieshave asayindecidingwhichpartnershipsandacademicsthe
DAADshouldsupport.Anindependentselectioncommittee comprisedof Germanprofessors
representingavarietyof disciplinesmakesthe fundingdecisionsonthe basisof transparentand

12. academicallysubstantiatedcriteria.Germanprofessorsare alsoinvolvedinthe selectionprocessof co-
financedprojectsandtake partin internationalselectionpanelsinpartnercountries.
Our goals
Highereducationandscience have become increasinglyimportantinthe areaof development
cooperation.Andforgoodreason,as the lackof well-trainedprofessionalsandwidespread
inaccessibilitytoglobal knowledgeproductionare hinderingmanydevelopingcountriesfrom
overcomingpoverty.Universitiesinmanycountriesinthe Southare underfinancedandovercrowded.
Especiallythe rapidlyexpandinghighereducationsystemsinAfricaare facingan enormouslackof highly
qualifieduniversityinstructorsandprofessionallyrelevantdegree programmes.Internationally
recognisedresearchonlytakesplace ata handful of Excellence CentresinAfrica.
Our fundingprogrammesinthe areaof developmentcooperationaimtoimprove thissituation.
We are committedtoachievingGoal 4 of the SDG Agendawhichcallsforan equitable,high-quality
educationforall.We alsorecognise the impactof highereducationandscience forachievingnumerous
developmentpolicygoalsbeyondthe highereducationsector,forexample,inthe areasof good
governance,resource conservation,healthandclimate change.
Broadeningaccess
In accordance withthe BMZ EducationStrategy(PDF, 0.3 MB), the DAADstrivestoensure equal
opportunityandaccessto highereducationandscience foreveryone.Inmanycountriesinthe Global
South,accessto highereducationislimitedandinequitablydistributed.We wanttochange this
situation,forexample,byspecificallysupportingwomeninscience,removingacademicbarriersforthe
poorestindevelopingcountries,andpromotingopenanddistance learning(ODL).
Improvingquality
Broaderaccess to academicprogrammescanonlyleadto successif compliance withminimumquality
standardsisensured.Forthisreasonwe are focusingoureffortsonimprovingthe qualityof higher
educationandresearchindevelopingcountries.Effective andtransparentuniversitystructures,aswell
as qualityinstruction,are crucial forachievingthisgoal.

13. Raisingrelevance
We alsoaimto increase the relevance of highereducationandresearchfordevelopmentpurposes.To
thisend,we enable universitiestoact as driversof entrepreneurial developmentandtoexpandtheir
partnershipsinbusiness,politicsandcivil society.Thisenhancesthe professionalandpractical relevance
of the universities’degree programmes.Bycarefullycoordinatingindividual andinstitutional capacity
development,we canrespondbettertothe needsof ourpartnersand fundingrecipients.We are
constantlyworkingtoincrease the practical relevanceof ourprogrammesandfundingconcepts.
In orderto achieve the goalswe have set,we have designedourfundinginstrumentsspecificallyto
addressthe needsof developingandemergingcountries.A results-basedmonitoringsystemhelpsusto
continuallymonitorthe effectivenessof ourprogrammesandimprove the qualityandtransparencyof
our work.
Our fieldsof activity
The DAAD strivestoachieve the developmentpolicygoalsmentionedabove usingthe meansof
academicexchange inthree fieldsof activityasdefinedinthe DAADStrategy2020. We do thisby
buildingonthe expertise andexperiencegainedfromyearsof cooperatingwithdevelopingand
emergingcountries.
Educatingprofessionalsandleadersof tomorrow
In fundingprogrammesaimedtoadvance the developmentagenda,the DAADprovidesacademic
opportunitiestoscholarshipholdersfromdevelopingandemergingcountries.Thesescholarshipholders
become tomorrow’sprofessionals,businessleadersand“change agents”whobringaboutlong-term
political,economicandsocial transformation.Ourfundingrecipientsandalumni notonlyhelpaddress
local and global problemswithinnovativesolutions.Theyalsobecome Germany’scooperationpartners
inour partnercountries.
Buildingstronguniversities
Throughprojectfunding,the DAADcontributestostrengtheninguniversities indevelopingand
emergingcountries.Ourportfolioof fundinginstrumentsrangesfromprovidingalumni supportto
helpinguniversitiesdevelopmoderncurricula.We supportuniversitypartnershipswhichestablishjoint
degree programmesandbuildinternational researchnetworksthatfocusonthe Sustainable
DevelopmentGoals.Suchcooperationprojectsare bornof mutual interestsandare implementedon
equal termsbyuniversitiesinGermanyandindevelopingcountries.

14. Expertise foracademiccooperation
The DAAD possessesextensive knowledgeaboutthe structuresof highereducationcooperationand
scientificsystemsworldwide.Notonlydowe draw on the experience of ourstaff,butalsoon a global
networkof regional offices,informationcentresandDAADLektors.These are engagedinongoing
dialogue withuniversityrepresentativesinthe partnercountrieswhichcarryoutdevelopmentprojects.
We cultivate intensive contactstoforeigneducationandresearchministries,universityrectors’
conferencesandregional associationsof highereducation,all of whichprovideuswithfirst-hand
information.
We alsotap the knowledge andexpertise of Germanuniversitiesbyfundingforexample the “exceed”
centreswhichpromote excellence inhighereducationindevelopingcountries.Thesecountriesrequire
reliable research,local know-how andinnovativeideasinordertosuccessfullyimplement
comprehensive educationpolicies.The DAADbundlesthisknowledge andmakesitavailable tothe
partnercountries,forexample,throughthe programme “DialogueonInnovativeHigherEducation
Strategies(DIES)“,financedinpartbythe GermanRectors’Conference (HRK),whichaimstoinstall
qualityassurance systemsinthe developingcountries.
Our partners
Our involvementindevelopmentcooperationissupportedbyanumberof partners.The resulting
synergiesstrengthenthe political impactof ourdevelopmentcooperationmeasures.
All partnershipsbenefitfromthe resourcesandcompetence whichGermanuniversitiescontribute,
therebycreatingadrivingforce forsustainable development,asoutlinedbythe statementbythe DAAD
Board of Trustees(PDF,0.1 MB). In orderto achieve success,however,itisessential thattheirpartners
inthe developingcountriesalsoactivelysupportthe collaboration.
A large share of allocatedfundingin2015 – about45 millioneuros –wasprovidedbythe Federal
MinistryforEconomic CooperationandDevelopment(BMZ).The DAADreceivedadditionalfundingfor
selectedprojectsfromthe GesellschaftfürInternationale Zusammenarbeit(GIZ).
In the DIES UniversityManagementProgramme,the DAADoffersvariousdemand-orientedfunding
programmestoenable universitiesindevelopingcountriestoadapttheirdegree programmesto

15. international qualitystandards,enhance their researchcapacitiesanddevelopmore competitive
organisational structures.The fundeduniversitiesalsobenefitfromthe supportof the GermanRectors’
Conference (HRK).
Economicpartnersand universitiesworktogethertoestablishcontactsbetweenuniversitygraduates
and prospective employers.Thishelpstake the demandsof the jobmarketintoaccountandprevents
unemploymentandbraindrain.University-business-partnershipsandDIESpartnershipprogrammesare
targetedat establishinganddeepeningrelationswiththe businesssector.
By collaboratingwithstakeholdersof bilateral developmentcooperation,we create synergiesand
increase the coherence andefficacyof ourjointefforts.Forexample,the DAADisinvolvedinajoint
programme withthe GIZ and the KreditanstaltfürWiederaufbau(KfW) atthe Pan-AfricanUniversity
(PAU).
Cooperatingwithinternational organisationslike UNESCOandthe WorldBank,the DAADcan use their
systemicknow-howorcombine theirinfrastructural measureswithfundsformaintenance andtraining
of technical personnel totake full advantage of new equipment.Suchjointeffortsplayaprominentrole
inthe newWorldBankprogramme to build“AfricanCentresof Excellence”.
In orderto furtherincrease the relevance of highereducationandresearchfordevelopmentpolicy,the
DAADaims tostrengthenexistingcollaborationswithourpartnersinbusiness,politicsandcivil society,
and continue topromote universitiesasdriversof entrepreneurial development.