Heilbronn AI Fellowships 2026 in Germany (Fully Funded)
The Heilbronn AI Fellowships 2026 in Germany offer an excellent opportunity for international PhD candidates and postdoctoral researchers to conduct advanced research in Artificial Intelligence and related fields. The fellowship is supported through the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) and aims to attract outstanding international researchers to Heilbronnβs rapidly growing AI ecosystem.
Selected fellows can receive a monthly fellowship payment of β¬2,800, health, accident and personal liability insurance support, and a lump sum for international travel costs. The research stay can last from 1 to 12 months at eligible universities and research institutions located on the Bildungscampus Heilbronn.
The programme combines academic research with industry collaboration, advanced digital infrastructure, technology transfer, entrepreneurship, and opportunities to develop AI-driven solutions with real-world applications.
Heilbronn AI Fellowships 2026 β Quick Facts
- Host Country: Germany
- Programme: Heilbronn AI Fellowship
- Funded By: DAAD
- Study/Research Level: PhD Candidates and Postdoctoral Researchers
- Field: Artificial Intelligence and related fields
- Eligible Applicants: International researchers
- Research Duration: 1 to 12 months
- Monthly Fellowship: β¬2,800
- Insurance: Health, accident and personal liability insurance payments
- Travel Support: Lump sum for international travel costs
- Application Method: Online through the DAAD Portal
- Host Location: Heilbronn, Germany
- Host Institutions: Selected universities and research institutions at Bildungscampus Heilbronn
About the Heilbronn AI Fellowship
The Heilbronn AI Fellowship is designed to attract talented international researchers working in Artificial Intelligence and related disciplines to Heilbronn.
The programme provides fellows with access to an ecosystem that brings together academic research, industry, innovation, advanced digital infrastructure and entrepreneurship.
In addition to conducting research, fellows are encouraged to explore technology transfer and practical applications of their work. The programme therefore provides an opportunity to contribute to AI research while developing solutions that can have real-world impact.
Degree Level
The fellowship is intended for:- International PhD candidates in the final year before their dissertation defense
- International postdoctoral researchers
- Researchers who obtained their PhD or doctorate no more than five years ago
Applicants should have a strong academic background in Artificial Intelligence or a closely related field.
Eligible Host Institutions
The research stay can be undertaken at eligible universities and research institutions located on the Bildungscampus Heilbronn, including:
DHBW Center for Advanced Studies
DHBW Heilbronn β Baden-WΓΌrttemberg Cooperative State University
Ferdinand-Steinbeis-Institute
Fraunhofer HNFIZ
Heilbronn University of Applied Sciences (HHN)
Technical University of Munich (TUM) Campus Heilbronn
Applicants are expected to plan their research project together with the prospective host institution.
Available Subjects
The main research area is:
Artificial Intelligence
Related areas of research may also be considered where they align with the objectives of the fellowship and the expertise of the selected host institution.
The programme particularly supports research connected with:
- Artificial Intelligence
- AI-driven technologies
- Digital innovation
- Technology transfer
- Real-world AI applications
- Entrepreneurship and innovation ecosystems
Benefits
The Heilbronn AI Fellowship provides several financial benefits to successful applicants.Monthly Fellowship
Selected fellows receive:
- β¬2,800 per month
- Insurance Support
The fellowship also provides payments toward:
- Health insurance
- Accident insurance
- Personal liability insurance
- Travel Allowance
Fellows can receive a lump sum toward international travel costs.
Additional Benefits
- Under certain circumstances, additional support may be available.
- Applicants with a disability or chronic illness may be eligible for additional costs associated with their circumstances. Such requests are assessed individually.
- Researchers whose funding period exceeds six months may also be eligible for family benefits, subject to the applicable eligibility requirements.
- All additional benefits are assessed on a case-by-case basis.
Eligible Nationalities
Open to applicants of all nationalities.Eligibility Criteria
To be considered for the Heilbronn AI Fellowship, applicants should meet the following requirements:- Be an international PhD candidate or postdoctoral researcher.
- PhD candidates should be in the final year before their dissertation defense.
- Postdoctoral applicants must have obtained their PhD or doctorate no more than five years ago.
- Have a strong academic background in Artificial Intelligence or a related field.
- Be affiliated with a university or non-university research institution.
- Plan to conduct a research project at an eligible host institution in Bildungscampus Heilbronn.
- Develop the application together with the prospective host institution.
- Submit all required application documents through the DAAD Portal before the application deadline.
Meeting the basic eligibility requirements does not guarantee funding. Applications are evaluated competitively based on academic qualifications, research quality and the applicant's suitability for the programme.
Selection Criteria
The selection process is based on a single-stage evaluation of the submitted application documents.
Applications are jointly prepared by the applicant and host institution and assessed by independent experts appointed by DAAD.
The main selection criteria include:
Academic Qualification
The evaluation considers:
- Academic performance
- Overall grade point average
- Development of grades
- Dissertation grade
- Course of study and doctoral research
- Publications
- Lectures
- Conference presentations
- Other academic achievements after graduation
- Quality of the Research Project
The proposed research project is assessed based on:
- Originality
- Topicality
- Relevance of the research
- Quality of the research proposal
- Preparation of the project
- Choice of host institution
- Existing contacts with the host institution
- Potential for research application and technology transfer
- Feasibility of the Research Plan
Experts also assess:
- Feasibility of the proposed research
- Consistency of the research plan
- Realistic research schedule
- Suitability of the proposed activities within the fellowship period
- Applicant and Programme Fit
The applicant's profile and research project should fit the objectives of the Heilbronn AI Fellowship.
The selection process also considers potential for:
- Personal development
- Professional development
- Integration into longer-term cooperation plans
- Future research stays in Germany
- Collaboration between international researchers and German institutions
Equal-opportunity considerations are also taken into account during the selection process.
Application Procedure
Required Application Documents
Applicants must submit the documents required by the DAAD programme through the online application portal.
The application should clearly present:
- Academic qualifications
- Academic achievements
- Research proposal
- Research plan and schedule
- Information about the proposed host institution
- Evidence of contact with the host institution
- Relevant publications and academic achievements
- Other documents requested in the DAAD application system
If a required document is unavailable at the time of submission, applicants must explain the reason and indicate when the document will be provided.
How to Apply
The application process is completed online through the DAAD Portal.
Follow these steps:
- Identify an eligible host institution in Bildungscampus Heilbronn.
- Develop a suitable AI research project.
- Establish contact with the prospective host institution.
- Prepare the research proposal and research schedule.
- Work with the host institution to prepare the application.
- Gather all required supporting documents.
- Register and apply through the DAAD Portal.
- Upload the complete application documents.
- Submit the application before the specified deadline.
- Wait for the evaluation and selection decision.
An application is considered valid only when all required documents have been submitted through the DAAD Portal within the application period.
Only one application per applicant can be considered at a given time, meaning simultaneous applications cannot be processed.
Research Duration
The fellowship supports research stays lasting from:
1 to 12 months
The fellowship cannot normally be extended. Special circumstances may be considered individually.
Funding is available only within the programme's overall funding period.
Why Apply for the Heilbronn AI Fellowship?
The fellowship offers international researchers an opportunity to conduct AI research in Germany while becoming part of an ecosystem connecting universities, research institutions, industry and innovation organizations.
Key advantages include:
- β¬2,800 monthly fellowship
- Travel cost support
- Insurance support
- Access to leading research institutions
- Opportunity to work on cutting-edge AI research
- Industry collaboration opportunities
- Technology transfer and innovation exposure
- Entrepreneurship opportunities
- International research experience in Germany
- Potential for longer-term academic collaboration
How to Apply
Interested researchers should prepare their application in collaboration with an eligible host institution and submit it online through the DAAD application portal.
