DAAD Scholarship for Special Commitment
Within the framework of the DAAD program, STIBET I, the International Office awards scholarships to particularly committed and socially engaged international students from funds provided by the Federal Foreign Office. This scholarship is designed for international students enrolled at TU Dortmund University who distinguish themselves through involvement within an international cultural or academic context in their course of study or have an interesting idea of how to bring international students together in a social, academic or cultural context. The commitment can also be realized through a separate project plan and carried out independently.
This scholarship can ONLY support international students or international doctoral students of TU Dortmund University who are strongly engaged in voluntary activities.
Information on the Scholarship and Application
Funding duration depends on the proposal idea or the content of the project. It is awarded for three months and in special cases for maximum of six months. It comprises a monthly amount up to €934.00. The scholarship can be provided for the current year and can only be extended if the DAAD project is extended in the following year as well. In case of an extension, the selection committee has to check the benefits of the project and positive feedback on the proposed idea first.
A selection committee of the International Office chooses recipients based on their proposed idea and on the following criteria:
- very good academic performance in studies and
- special commitment within cultural, social or academic contexts at TU Dortmund University.
Your idea of an activity must be linked to an international or academic context, such as
- mentoring international students as a buddy for at least one semester long,
- getting involved in local or academically related initiatives and associations or
- planning and organizing events with an international focus. It can also include social events with a cultural aspect to enhance the integration of international students at TU Dortmund University as well as in Germany.
Please consider that the proposed activity should be offered at least once a week or run on a continuing basis. Please consider that the International Office cannot promise to book the IBZ facilities due to full reservations. If you book the IBZ for activities, please consider the following:
- If you use the IBZ, you are fully responsible of the premises and facilities.
- In case of any damage or negligence, you will be fully charged for the reparation expenses.
- You are in charge to book, pick up and return the keys to the IBZ independently.
Students who...
- are international students enrolled at TU Dortmund University, complete a full degree program and have foreign citizenship,
- are considered “Bildungsausländer”*,
- have studied for at least two semesters at TU Dortmund University and prove good to very good academic performance,
- have characterized themselves through socially and academically international work at TU Dortmund University aside from their studies and
- can demonstrate intercultural skills as well as German and English language skills.
Bildungsausländer: meaning that they must have earned their university entrance qualification at a non-German school abroad.
- exchange students who are only briefly studying in Germany,
- students who are only enrolled for a German course,
- German citizens,
- students who have earned a German university entrance qualification either at a school in Germany or a German school abroad,
- students who are not at university currently, for example, by completing an external internship, a final thesis with a company, or a stay abroad
- Previous volunteering certificates or recommendation letters,
- certificate of enrollment,
- current transcript of record,
- résume,
- recommendation letters written by faculty advisors or faculty members about your current activities at the faculty,
- copy of passport and a copy of your residence permit,
- if you have a part time job, including a job as a student assistant, you must submit a copy of your work contract. If your employment is terminated at the beginning of or during the scholarship period, or the number of working hours changes, proof of this must be submitted.
- Detailed description of your commitment project for the scholarship.
Applications can be submitted at any time during the current year.
Please send the complete application documents in a PDF file by email to social.counselingtu-dortmundde.
Note: For funding in the current year, applications must be received by November 1 of the respective calendar year at the latest. Applications received after the deadline will be considered for funding in the following year.
Our scholarship holders 2023/2024
Looking for inspiration for your own commitment? Here you can read the stories of four committed students who enrich campus life with their various activities and commitment:
![engagement scholarship_Nayak Portrait Nayak](/storages/international/_processed_/8/f/csm_betreuungsstipendiaten_Nayak_dd55a33f53.jpg)
Rohan Kumar Nayak, 25, is studying for a Master's degree in Data Science at the Faculty of Statistics and is originally from India. In addition to his outstanding academic achievements, he focuses on voluntary work: "While every student should focus on their studies, voluntary commitment is a way to give something back to the community. Therefore, I try my best to engage in the planning and participation of various events of the student council. This also gives me a chance to connect to different people around the world and know more about their culture”, says Nayak. The integration of international students at his faculty is particularly important to him, so he promotes this through a wide range of activities, such as organizing social and intercultural events. He is also active in the student council and represents the interests of international students.
![engagement scholarship_Ovsyannikova Portrait Ovsyannikova](/storages/international/_processed_/e/2/csm_betreuungsstipendiaten_Ovsyannikova_4b204d9e21.jpg)
Daria Ovsyannikova, 25, is studying in the English-language Master’s degree program in Econometrics at the Faculty of Statistics. As an international student from Russia, she has not only successfully integrated into the still young program and is achieving very good academic results, but she also supports other students and Ukrainian refugees as a contact person and lecturer in overcoming the various challenges of arriving in Germany and settling in. She finds fulfillment in this task: "[…] it provides me with […] a profound sense of belonging to a community of remarkable individuals dedicated to addressing crucial social issues."
![engagement scholarship_Streltsova Portrait Streltsova](/storages/international/_processed_/6/2/csm_betreuungsstipendiaten_Streltsova_7a570fa2e6.jpg)
For Yana Streltsova, commitment is "a way of making the world a better place step by step through small deeds". The 28-year-old Kazakh student studying Chemical Biology has not only set up a meeting group for foreign students, but also volunteers as an interpreter for Ukrainian refugees. For her, it is not only her academic success in her studies that is important: "Commitment to foreign students promotes personal development, intercultural skills and enriches the university experience through active participation in campus life," says Streltsova.
![engagement scholarship_Venugopal Portrait Venugopal](/storages/international/_processed_/6/0/csm_betreuungsstipendiaten_Venugopal_14d097f461.jpg)
Reghuram Venugopal, 27, comes from India and is studying for a Master's degree in Process Systems Engineering at the Faculty of Biological and Chemical Engineering. He is involved in many areas at TU Dortmund University, e.g. as the elected spokesperson for the faculty's international students and as a mentor and representative of international students on the student council. He is actively committed to improving study conditions. He also benefits personally from these activities: „Being a part of and contributing to the TU Dortmund University community has been an enriching experience, fostering knowledge, collaboration and personal growth”’ says Venugopal.
Curious to find out more?
Do you also volunteer at our university and implement your own projects independently? Then get in touch with us at social.counselingtu-dortmundde!
![Logo DAAD](/storages/international/_processed_/0/f/csm_daad_logo_eafab052ee.png)
Contact us
If you have any questions, please contact the Social Counseling for International Students.
E-mail: social.counselingtu-dortmundde
Consultation hours via Zoom: by prior appointment. Consultation hours in presence: Wednesdays from 10:30-11:30 a.m. by prior appointment via Terminland. On-site consultations take place in the International Office, room 212 (2nd floor, Emil-Figge-Str. 61, 44227 Dortmund).
We will be happy to advise you!