Pause for a moment and consider the global impact originating right here at the DAAD. The German Academic Exchange Service, or DAAD, stands as a beacon for international academic cooperation. Founded in 1925, the DAAD has grown into the largest German support organization in its field. Its headquarters are here in Bonn.
The DAAD is a private, federally and state-funded agency. It represents over 365 German higher education institutions. These include universities, technical universities, and colleges of music and art. The DAAD does not offer its own courses. Instead, it awards grants for study and research in Germany. It also supports German students pursuing opportunities abroad.
With an annual budget exceeding 500 million Euros, the DAAD supports around 140,000 individuals worldwide. This makes it the largest academic grant organization globally. Though founded in 1925, the DAAD faced closure in 1945. It was then re-established in 1950.
The DAAD’s reach extends far beyond Bonn. Fifteen international regional offices provide guidance on study and research opportunities. They also offer information on available grants. The New York office, for example, serves students and academics in the United States and Canada. It facilitates their access to German institutions.
DAAD scholarships are available across all academic disciplines and degree levels. Undergraduate, graduate, doctoral, and postdoctoral scholars can apply. The DAAD network includes about 50 information centers. Around 450 DAAD lecturers hold positions worldwide. The DAAD scholarship is highly regarded. It offers outstanding international students the chance to pursue master’s and PhD degrees in Germany.
Numerous notable figures are DAAD alumni. These include Michelle Bachelet, Margaret Atwood, and Nobel Prize winners like Günter Blobel and Herta Müller.
The DAAD receives funding from the German government and the European Union. A significant portion comes from the Foreign Office and the Federal Ministry of Education and Research. The DAAD also runs specific programs like Leadership for Syria. This initiative supports Syrian students with scholarships and specialized training.
In its early years, the DAAD embraced Nazi ideology before being dissolved in 1945. Re-established in Bonn in 1950, the DAAD has since focused on promoting peaceful international cooperation.
In 2025, the DAAD will celebrate its 100th anniversary. The Federal Ministry of Finance will issue a special stamp. A range of activities will take place. These include events at universities and alumni reunions in cities like Paris and New York.
As you stand here, remember the DAAD’s mission. It’s a mission of international exchange. It is strengthening innovation. It is fostering cooperation to address global challenges. The DAAD’s work shapes individual careers and contributes to a more connected world.