Heilbronn AI Research Fellowship 2026

Heilbronn AI Fellowship 2026 in Germany

The Heilbronn AI Fellowship 2026 is an excellent research opportunity for international PhD candidates and postdoctoral researchers who want to conduct research in Artificial Intelligence or related fields in Germany. The fellowship is supported through the DAAD in cooperation with the Dieter Schwarz Foundation and aims to attract talented international researchers to Heilbronn's growing AI research and innovation ecosystem.

Selected fellows can conduct their research at eligible universities and research institutions located on Bildungscampus Heilbronn. The programme combines academic research with opportunities for industry collaboration, technology transfer, innovation and entrepreneurship.

The fellowship provides a €2,800 monthly fellowship instalment, health, accident and personal liability insurance support, and a lump sum toward international travel expenses. Research stays can last from 1 to 12 months.

Heilbronn AI Fellowship 2026 Overview

Category	Details
Fellowship Name	Heilbronn AI Research Fellowship 2026
Host Country	Germany
Location	Heilbronn
Host Organization	DAAD & Dieter Schwarz Foundation
Research Field	Artificial Intelligence and Related Fields
Study Level	PhD, Postdoctoral
Duration	1 to 12 Months
Monthly Stipend	€2,800
Insurance Support	Included
Travel Support	Included
Funding Type	Fully Funded
Application Method	Online via DAAD Portal
Deadline	Rolling / Check Official Call

The programme is intended for international researchers who want to undertake an AI-related research project at an eligible host institution in Heilbronn.

What Does the Heilbronn AI Fellowship Cover?

The fellowship provides several forms of financial and research support.

Selected fellows can receive:

• €2,800 monthly fellowship instalment
• Payments toward health insurance
• Accident insurance support
• Personal liability insurance support
• Lump sum toward international travel costs
• Possible additional support related to disability or chronic illness
• Possible family benefits for eligible fellows whose funding period exceeds six months
• Access to an advanced AI research environment
• Opportunities for collaboration with academic and industry partners
• Opportunities related to technology transfer and innovation

Additional benefits are subject to the applicable fellowship conditions and individual eligibility.

Who Can Apply?

The Heilbronn AI Fellowship is aimed at international PhD candidates and postdoctoral researchers.

Applicants should generally meet the following requirements:

• Be an international PhD candidate or postdoctoral researcher.
• PhD candidates must be in the final year before their dissertation defense.
• Postdoctoral researchers should generally have obtained their doctorate no more than five years before the application deadline.
• 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 an eligible research project at a host institution on Bildungscampus Heilbronn.
• Applicants must generally have been residing outside Germany for the 15 months before applying.

Research Areas

The fellowship focuses primarily on Artificial Intelligence and related research areas.

Projects should contribute to scientific research while potentially creating connections with real-world applications.

Research may involve areas such as:

• Artificial Intelligence
• Machine Learning
• Data Science
• Computer Science
• Intelligent Systems
• AI applications
• Digital technologies
• AI-driven innovation
• Technology transfer
• Related interdisciplinary AI fields

The proposed project should demonstrate a strong connection with the research capabilities of the selected host institution.

Eligible Host Institutions

The research stay must take place at an eligible institution located on Bildungscampus Heilbronn.

Eligible host institutions include:

• DHBW Center for Advanced Studies
• DHBW Heilbronn
• Ferdinand-Steinbeis-Institute
• Fraunhofer HNFIZ
• Heilbronn University of Applied Sciences
• Technical University of Munich (TUM) Campus Heilbronn

Applicants should contact a suitable host institution and develop their research project in cooperation with the proposed host.

Research Project Requirement

Applicants need to propose a research project that fits the objectives of the Heilbronn AI Fellowship.

The project should clearly explain:

• Main research question
• Research objectives
• Proposed methodology
• Expected academic contribution
• Connection to Artificial Intelligence
• Why Heilbronn is an appropriate research location
• Suitability of the selected host institution
• Potential for collaboration
• Possible technology-transfer or real-world applications

The quality and feasibility of the proposed research project are important parts of the selection process.

Language Requirements

Applicants must have very good English language skills to successfully conduct their research in Germany.

An official English-language certificate is not necessarily required. However, the host institution must confirm that the applicant has sufficient language skills for the proposed research project.

German language skills may also be relevant where required by the specific research environment.

Required Documents

Applicants should prepare the documents requested by the DAAD application system and the selected host institution.

The application may require documents such as:

• Completed DAAD application form
• Curriculum Vitae
• Research proposal
• Academic certificates
• Academic transcripts
• Proof of doctoral status or doctorate
• Letter of invitation from the German host institution
• Letter of recommendation
• Information about the proposed research project
• Other documents specified by DAAD

Documents that are not already in English or German may need to be translated according to DAAD requirements. Applicants should check the current application instructions before submission.

How to Apply for Heilbronn AI Fellowship 2026

Applicants should first identify an eligible host institution on Bildungscampus Heilbronn that matches their AI research interests. They should then contact an appropriate researcher or institution and develop the proposed research project together.

After securing the required host cooperation, applicants should prepare the research proposal, academic documents, CV, recommendation and other required materials.

The application is submitted through the DAAD online portal. Applicants must register on the portal, complete the application form and upload the required documents in PDF format.

Application Process

Find a host institution: Identify an eligible university or research institution on Bildungscampus Heilbronn that matches your research interests.

Contact a host researcher: Discuss your proposed AI research project with a suitable researcher or host institution.

Develop your project: Prepare a clear research proposal explaining the objectives, methodology, relevance and expected outcomes.

Prepare documents: Collect your CV, academic records, recommendation, invitation and other required documents.

Register with DAAD: Create an account on the DAAD application portal and complete the required application information.

Upload your documents: Submit the application documents in the required PDF format.

Submit online: Complete and submit the application through the DAAD portal before the applicable deadline.

Fellowship Duration

The Heilbronn AI Fellowship supports research stays ranging from:

1 to 12 months

The exact duration depends on the applicant's proposed research project and approved funding period.

The fellowship normally cannot be extended, although exceptional circumstances may be considered individually.

Monthly Fellowship Stipend

Selected fellows receive:

€2,800 per month

This fellowship instalment is intended to provide financial support during the research stay in Germany.

In addition, fellows may receive insurance and international travel support according to the programme conditions.

Selection Criteria

Applications are evaluated by independent experts appointed by DAAD.

The selection considers factors such as:

• Academic qualifications
• Grades and academic achievements
• Publications and research experience
• Quality of the proposed research project
• Originality of the project
• Relevance of the research
• Feasibility of the project
• Suitability of the selected host institution
• Potential for technology transfer
• Potential for long-term cooperation
• Overall suitability for the programme

Applications are jointly prepared by the applicant and the proposed host institution.

Is the Heilbronn AI Fellowship Fully Funded?

The Heilbronn AI Fellowship is presented as a fully funded research fellowship.

The main financial benefits include:

• €2,800 monthly fellowship instalment
• Health, accident and personal liability insurance support
• International travel allowance
• Possible family benefits
• Possible additional support for disability or chronic illness

Applicants should carefully review the official DAAD conditions to understand the exact amount and eligibility requirements for additional benefits.

Why Apply for the Heilbronn AI Fellowship?

The fellowship provides international researchers with the opportunity to become part of one of Germany's developing AI research ecosystems.

Major advantages include:

• €2,800 monthly financial support
• Travel assistance
• Insurance support
• Up to 12 months of research funding
• Access to German research institutions
• AI-focused research environment
• Collaboration with academic researchers
• Industry networking opportunities
• Technology-transfer opportunities
• Innovation and entrepreneurship exposure
• International research experience

For researchers working in Artificial Intelligence and related fields, the programme can provide valuable academic and professional development opportunities.

Important Points for Applicants

Applicants should remember that this fellowship is not a general scholarship for all students. It is specifically designed for international PhD candidates in the final year before dissertation defense and postdoctoral researchers working in AI or related fields.

Another important requirement is securing an appropriate host institution in Heilbronn. Applicants should develop their research project together with the proposed host rather than submitting an unrelated research proposal.

Candidates should also check the residence requirement. DAAD states that applicants must generally have lived outside Germany throughout the 15 months before submitting their application.

Application Deadline

The Scholarship Union listing currently shows the fellowship as Open with no fixed deadline displayed.

Applicants should therefore check the current DAAD application portal and official programme announcement for the applicable deadline before submitting an application. The DAAD programme information confirms that applications are submitted online through its portal.

Final Thoughts

The Heilbronn AI Research Fellowship 2026 is a strong opportunity for international doctoral candidates and postdoctoral researchers seeking to conduct Artificial Intelligence research in Germany.

The programme offers a €2,800 monthly fellowship instalment, insurance support and an international travel allowance, with research stays ranging from 1 to 12 months. Fellows can also benefit from Heilbronn's combination of academic research, industry collaboration, innovation and technology-transfer opportunities.

Eligible researchers should focus on developing a strong AI-related research project and establishing cooperation with a suitable host institution on Bildungscampus Heilbronn before submitting their application through the DAAD portal. Apply Now