ERS - Theodore von Kármán Fellowship – visiting scholars program for outgoing researchers

To foster international exchange and interdisciplinary dialogue, the Exploratory Re search Space (ERS) and the International Office offer grant to RWTH researchers who intend to do research abroad as a visiting scholar. The Theodore von Kármán Fellowship allows resarchers to conduct a research project of their own choice in co operation with a host institute. The aim of this funding program is to establish new collaborations and to contribute to advancing the university's internationalization and research strategy. Existing, established contacts are not funded by the program.

General conditions

Funding is provided for research projects starting in January 2027. The minimum du ration must be at least one month. The maximum duration can be up to two months. The host university should preferably be of strategic interest to RWTH Aachen University.

Funding

ERS funding may be used to cover travel expenses and accommodation costs. If you are planning a joint publication, please indicate the expected costs in the pro posal. Up to a maximum of one year after completion of the project, you can then re ceive 50% of the publication costs upon proof of publication. The visiting scholar’s research stay may start in January 2027 and must be com pleted and all expenses be paid by December 31, 2027. The budget for the Kármán Fellowships is provided by the Excellence Strategy of the Federal Government and the Länder and aims for an equal distribution of funds be tween researchers of all genders. The total budget for all new Kármán Fellowships (incoming and outgoing) is at most 60.000 €.

Eligibility criteria

This call for proposals is directed at established researchers who are at least in a postdoctoral position. The proposals require endorsement by the professor or head of services, as appropriated.

• Applicants should speak English fluently (or the language spoken at the host university) and show intercultural competence.

• During the visit abroad the researcher is supposed to give at least one talk at the host university in which RWTH Aachen University is presented.

• The duration of the stay must be at least one month.

• Funding cannot be used for conferences.

The proposal (in pdf format) may be up to 4 pages long and can be written in English or German. It must contain:

1. Name of applicant and responsible RWTH professor/head of services and their respective institute and contact of host institution

2. For postdocs: endorsement by the professor or head of services (a few lines, signed by the professor/head of services)

3. Confirmation, that the exchange will establish a new cooperation

4. A short and generally understandable description of the project and activities planned for the stay abroad

5. A short CV including the five most important accomplishments

6. A budget plan and information about the period of the stay (daily rates may be covered, but only up to a maximum of 25% of the AVEKO flat rate)

Furthermore: A letter of support from the host institution (in addition to the four-page limit). Please note: Proposals that do not comply with the formal criteria will be excluded from the reviewing process.

Deadline

Applications need to be submitted by September 15, 2026 through our online sub mission platform at http://portal.ers.rwth-aachen.de, call "Theodore von Kármán Fel lowship - outgoings 2027". All applications will be assessed by the enlarged ERS steering committee.