2026 DAAD Future Network Weimar Triangle Scholarship in France, Germany and Poland

The programme “Future Network Weimar Triangle: Science for Europe” aims to expand the political initiative “Weimar Triangle”, launched in 1991 by the foreign ministers of Germany, France, and Poland, to include a sustainable science platform (to promote trilateral cooperation between Germany, France, and Poland). The programme aims to develop innovative solutions to European and global challenges through joint research projects and to strengthen European integration and the European Research Area through networking and exchange.

Table of Content

• Summary
• Benefits
• Requirements
• Interview Process
• Application Deadline
• How To Apply

Summary

• Application DeadlineJune 15, 2026
• Study LevelMasters , PhD
• SponsorDAAD
• Eligible CountryAll Countries

Benefits

The scholarship includes the following financial benefits:

• a monthly scholarship instalment of 1,400 Euros
• a lump sum towards international travel costs
• payments towards health, accident and personal liability insurance cover
• a monthly lump sum for research expenses of 102 Euros

Under certain circumstances, you can apply for the following additional benefits after start of funding:

• lump sum grants for attending conferences in the countries of the Weimar Triangle
• monthly allowance for accompanying members of family, only for a funding period of more than six months
• monthly rent subsidy, only for a funding period of more than six months
• Allowance for language courses taken during the scholarship period
• In the case of a disability or chronic illness: subsidy for additional costs which result from disability or chronic illness and are not covered by other funding providers
• Funding for an annual in-person networking meeting organised by the selected working group

As part of the 'Future Network Weimar Triangle : Science for Europe programme, three major networking forums will be held in person, in Warsaw in 2027, Paris in 2028, and Germany in 2029. These events will bring together partner organisations, grant recipients, alumni and active programme participants, providing an opportunity to present projects and results and establish further collaborations.
Alongside the current programme participants, partner organisations, grant recipients and alumni will also be invited.

Furthermore, outstanding trilateral projects will be awarded a research prize at the closing forum in Germany.

Requirements

PhD students from all disciplines who wish to apply for a research stay up to 12 months in Germany and would like to get involved in the Weimar Triangle network and who are working on the following future-oriented topics:

• Technologies for climate-neutral energy production and mobility, as well as climate protection) (e.g., fusion technologies, decarbonization of the economy and expansion of renewable energy, energy storage, and cross-border infrastructure)
• Artificial intelligence and digitalization, as well as microelectronics (e.g., strengthening Europe’s digital sovereignty, research on AI applications, ethical standards, and cybersecurity; research on innovative, AI-enabled chip applications)
• Security in Europe and the resilience of the scientific system (e.g., knowledge security, research data security; research on countering hybrid threats, risk management; security of key strategic technologies and critical raw materials; science communication)
• Biotechnology and medicine of the future (e.g., resilient agricultural and food systems, innovative diagnostics and therapies, bioeconomy, medical tech-nology, and sustainable health research)
• Challenges, impacts, and benefits of new technologies on and for society (social sciences and humanities research, e.g., on human-machine interaction and the challenges posed by new technologies to the state and society in Europe).

The scholarship is awarded on the condition of active participation in one of the working groups throughout the scholarship period. A sustained commitment to the working group even after the end of the funding period is encouraged.

Selection Process

The selection committees are composed based on academic and, where appli-cable, regional criteria. The volunteer committee members are appointed by the DAAD Executive Board and are primarily professors and lecturers at Ger-man universities and research institutions. They review the applications and decide on the awarding of scholarships. Former DAAD scholarship recipients may also participate in the selection process. DAAD staff members chair the meetings but do not have voting rights.

The selection criteria are:

Academic qualifications

• Academic performance and progress (incl. grade point average, grade progression)
• Knowledge of the language of instruction or working language
• If applicable, scholarly achievements after graduation, (e.g. publications, lectures, conference papers)

Quality of research project

• Quality of research proposal and preparation (originality, topicality and relevance of the project, choice of host institution and first contacts)
• Feasibility and consistency of research plan and schedule (analysis and evaluation stages)
• Incorporation of project within the overall doctorate (in terms of content and time)

Potential of the applicant

• Suitability of the applicant’s profile and the research project to the objectives of the programme (potential for personal and professional development, use of international networking in the working groups as well as own active contributions in the working groups)
• Career prospects: significance of the research project and stay in Germany for the applicant’s academic, professional and personal development
• Motivation: professional and personal reasons for the stay in Germany and the host university/institution, motivation of taking advantage of the international network within the working groups, as well as demonstrating a willingness and commitment to actively contribute to the success of the working groups; knowledge of the local language (if different from the working language); regional knowledge
• Extracurricular commitment: extracurricular knowledge and skills, social commitment

Check also:
2026 Fully Funded Humboldt Research Fellowship
2026 Eutopia PhD Co-tutelle Call

Application Deadline

How To Apply

Contact: E-Mail: [email protected]
For more information, kindly visit DAAD scholarship webpage.