IPSWAT - International Postgraduate Studies in Water Technologies

Applying for a scholarship

Applicants must apply for admission to the desired Master's degree programme or for a place as a PhD candidate. After evaluating the applications, the supervisor / director of studies will recommend suitable candidates for a scholarship to the International Bureau of the BMBF (IB/BMBF). Each university / course of study may recommend up to 8 respectively 6 candidates in each selection round. It is not possible for candidates to apply to the IB directly!

Courses and PhD programmes with a "sur place" component - in other words, programmes that enable scholarship holders to complete part of their studies abroad, at a partner university of a German university - are also eligible for funding.

Selection process

Two evaluation rounds are carried out every year (in April and November) in which the received applications are reviewed. After the external, independent panel of experts hasselected the candidates, the IB/BMBF will inform the universities of the result. There is no waiting list.

Each university can propose up to 6 candidates. Supervisors are requested to submit the original and 4 copies of each application to IPSWaT. The deadline is 15th of March, 2010 (postmark). Incomplete applications will not be accepted. The universities will act as the students' contact partners. It is not possible for candidates to apply to IPSWaT directly.

Application for an IPSWaT scholarship

IPSWaT-Cover sheet 2010

Selection criteria

When selecting candidates for IPSWaT scholarships, outstanding academic qualifications are the main criterion. However, other factors will also be taken into account:

• Potential to be included in bilateral cooperation in science, industry or development policy 
• Practical relevance and transferability of the planned research work
• Institutional links to countries of origin and/or partner countries
• Relevance of the research project to integrated water resource management

Funding recipients

If one or more candidates are chosen to receive a scholarship for study at a certain university, the university is officially the recipient of the International Bureau's funding. Contracts between the IB and the universities are drawn up after each selection round, based on the number and type of scholarships offered. As a rule, Master's degree scholarships last two years; PhD scholarships three years. 

Scope of the financial support provided

In addition to the basic monthly scholarship grant and (if applicable) family allowances, the following expenses will be paid for IPSWaT scholarship recipients: travel from the student's home town to his/her place of study in Germany and back; German course at the beginning of the scholarship;  health, accident and private liability insurance during the student's period of residence in Germany; tuition fees for the first semester; research visits abroad in connection with the research work; start-up money; and a monthly bonus as research support. Funding will not be provided for: insurance and travel expenses for family members and multiple returns to the student's home country.

Course accreditation

Master's degree programmes in Germany can apply to be included in the IPSWaT scholarship programme at any time. An informal application is sufficient. It should include a detailed description of the Master's programme, especially the curriculum, as well as information about the professors, the scientific staff, the research priorities, ongoing and completed projects, etc. To be included in the IPSWaT scholarship programme, it is absolutely necessary for the course to be taught in English. If possible, the faculty should also have international contacts and be engaged in research that is internationally transferable or of international relevance. It must offer continuous academic support by a supervisor, also for international students.

Applications will be assessed by the IB and an independent panel of experts. The applicant will be informed of the decision at the earliest possible date. The IB/BMBF should be notified of any changes to the curriculum immediately, even after the course is accredited. 

In principle, PhD candidates can be put forward by all German universities.