The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) offers the “Hilde Domin Program” scholarship program with funds from the Federal Foreign Office (AA). The program is intended to support students and doctoral candidates at risk worldwide who are formally or de facto denied the right to education and/or other basic rights in their country of origin to take up or continue their studies in Germany in order to obtain a degree or doctorate at a German university.
The students and doctoral candidates supported under the program receive a scholarship for a course of study of their personal choice and according to their individual qualifications, which covers the necessary costs of the study or research stay (a monthly scholarship rate of currently EUR 992 for Master's students and EUR 1. 300 for doctoral students; health, nursing care, accident and personal liability insurance; a travel allowance based on the country of origin or current country of residence; participation in a German language course - two, four or six months - depending on the language skills acquired to date and the language skills required for the intended study or doctoral project; other additional benefits).
Potential candidates cannot apply for the scholarship program independently, but are nominated by the MLU (the IO takes over this task). To be eligible for the program, potential candidates must be able to prove or credibly demonstrate a threat to their personal well-being or safety (e.g. physical violence, arrest, denial of civil and educational rights, etc.) and
The nomination deadline for the intended start of studies WS 26/27 is September 15, 2025, i.e. the IO needs all necessary information from the candidates by then. After receipt of the nomination form, potential candidates will be invited by the DAAD to submit their application via the DAAD online portal.
Important note from the DAAD: A multiple nomination does not bring any advantages. One nomination per candidate is sufficient.
Further information on the program and nomination: www.daad.de/de/in-deutschland-studieren/stipendien/daad-foerderprogramme/hilde-domin-programm/
The following documents must be submitted by MLU teaching staff by 31.08.2025
Contact and nomination proposals to Dr. Heike Link: heike.link@international.uni-halle.de
Every year, the German Academic Exchange Service provides funding for an international student or doctoral student at Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg.
The DAAD prize is intended to honor special academic achievements and remarkable social or intercultural commitment.
Ms. Ochoa Vásquez comes from Ecuador and attended the German School in Cuenca. After successfully completing her Bachelor's degree in Halle, she has now also been able to complete her Master's degree in Biochemistry at Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg (MLU). As a DAAD scholarship holder, she used this support to fulfill her dream of studying in Germany.
Her academic achievements were and are outstanding and a testament to her commitment and passion for her academic field. Ms. Ochoa Vásquez has also been actively involved in extracurricular activities and has shared her experience and knowledge with others. As a graduate of a so-called partner school (PASCH), she now supports international students as a mentor of the PASCH initiative with valuable tips on arriving and living in Germany. On the one hand, her support helps the individual with their start to student life in Germany. On the other hand, this also structurally strengthens and expands the relationships between our university and other PASCH schools in the network.
In addition, Ms. Ochoa Vásquez has also participated in the International Office's Buddy Program, in which she has supported international students. Her commitment has helped to strengthen the international community at MLU and promote intercultural exchange.
We would like to honor this outstanding commitment today.
Congratulations and all the best for the future!
Mr. Singh has also distinguished himself through his scientific achievements and his remarkable commitment to international doctoral students, which is why he is being awarded this year's DAAD Prize 2025.
Mr. Singh comes from India, where he also very successfully completed his Bachelor in Science in Botany. After completing MSc Organismic, Evolution and Paleobiology at the Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität in Bonn in 2022, he is now a PhD student in the research group "Evolution and Biodiversity" at the German Center for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv). His outstanding academic leadership is reflected in his numerous scientific presentations and articles.
In addition to his scientific activities, Mr. Singh has also distinguished himself as an advocate and event organizer for doctoral students within the graduate school "iDiv". He is passionate about equal opportunities, internationalization and diversity and has been instrumental in making the graduate school an even more inclusive place through his initiatives. It is thanks to his commitment that the iDiv building now also has unisex toilets.
Pratyaksh Singh is an outstanding example of how academic excellence and social commitment can go hand in hand. His achievements and his commitment to international doctoral candidates make him a worthy recipient of the DAAD Prize 2025.
Congratulations and all the best for your future endeavors!