The International Study and Training Partnerships (ISAP) program 2025/2026, an esteemed initiative by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), is designed to promote long-term collaboration between international and German universities. This program aims to strengthen global academic ties by facilitating student and faculty exchanges between institutions worldwide. Through these partnerships, German universities can develop, expand, and establish robust international structures that benefit the global academic community.
Program Overview:
The ISAP program supports academic mobility, educational exchanges, and cross-border collaborations, offering valuable international exposure to both students and faculty. It plays a crucial role in Germany’s strategic efforts to internationalize its higher education system, fostering mutual understanding and the exchange of knowledge across borders.
Key features of the ISAP program include:
Student and faculty mobility: The program funds exchanges for both students and faculty members, supporting study abroad, research, and teaching opportunities at partner institutions.
Support measures: Funding is also provided for preparatory courses in Germany, working meetings, and alumni networks to ensure long-term, sustainable partnerships.
Alumni engagement: The program encourages continued academic collaboration after the exchange period, with alumni networks serving as essential resources for ongoing cooperation.
Purpose of the ISAP Program:
The primary objective of the ISAP program is to foster lasting academic relationships between foreign and German universities by:
Promoting international collaboration: The program encourages the development of strong academic networks through mutual student and faculty exchanges.
Strengthening German universities: By building international partnerships, German universities can enhance their global presence and contribute to their internationalization efforts.
Academic development: These collaborations provide students and faculty from both institutions with new perspectives, research opportunities, and teaching experiences, contributing to academic growth and excellence.
Degree Levels:
The DAAD-ISAP Germany Scholarships 2025/2026 are open to students pursuing Bachelor’s, Master’s, or PhD programs at German universities.
Available Subjects:
Scholarships are available for all academic disciplines.
Benefits of the ISAP Program:
The ISAP program offers comprehensive financial support for academic exchanges, including:
Mobility costs for students and teachers: The program covers travel and accommodation expenses for students and faculty members participating in the exchange.
Working meetings: Institutions can hold meetings to plan, assess, and evaluate the progress of their partnerships, ensuring the collaboration remains productive for all parties.
Preparatory courses in Germany: For participants needing additional academic or language preparation before the exchange, ISAP funds preparatory courses to ensure they are fully prepared to benefit from their time abroad.
Alumni networks: The program supports the establishment of alumni networks, fostering continued academic cooperation long after participants have completed their exchanges.
Strategic Impact and Global Reach:
The ISAP program plays a vital role in expanding the global influence of German universities through international partnerships. These collaborations elevate the academic standing of both institutions, providing students and faculty with enriching experiences that foster cross-cultural understanding.
For German universities, ISAP is a key instrument in building global networks and attracting top international talent. For foreign institutions, it offers a unique opportunity to collaborate with leading European universities, access advanced research, and tap into international academic resources.
Eligible Nationalities:
This scholarship is open to students of all nationalities.
Eligibility Criteria:
Who Can Apply?
The ISAP program is open to state and state-recognized German universities from all academic disciplines. The partnerships must involve foreign universities, and the program is specifically designed for:
Bachelor’s and Master’s students: Undergraduate and postgraduate students from partner institutions are eligible to participate in the exchange.
Scientists and professors: Faculty members, including scientists and professors, can engage in research and teaching opportunities as part of the partnership.
Ineligible Projects:
Certain types of projects are not eligible for ISAP funding, including:
Erasmus partnerships: Partnerships with institutions in Erasmus program countries, as EU mobility programs serve similar objectives.
Double degree programs: Projects involving double degrees are funded through a separate DAAD program, “Integrated International Degree Programs with Double Degrees.”
Application Procedure:
The call for applications for the ISAP program for the 2025 cycle was announced on June 12, 2024. Universities interested in participating must submit their applications by the deadline of October 16, 2024. Applicants are advised to review the current funding framework, which can be downloaded from the DAAD’s official ISAP webpage. A virtual application consultation was held on September 2, 2024, and the presentation from this session is also available for download.
For additional details, applicants should refer to the ISAP program page on the DAAD website.
Current Developments:
Due to ongoing geopolitical tensions, the DAAD has suspended all institutional cooperation with partners in the Russian Federation and Belarus until further notice. This decision is in response to the conflict arising from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and as a result, applications for project funding involving institutions in these countries are currently not being accepted.
