The partnership between UC Berkeley and the University of Greifswald was established in 2006. Both universities are now seeking to intensify their collaboration, and the University of Greifswald is pleased to offer up to 4 short-term grants to qualified Berkeley graduate students for a stay of up to 3 months.
The University of Greifswald is situated in the Baltic Sea Area, about 2-3 hours from Berlin and Hamburg, Szczecin in Poland and the Danish capital Copenhagen. The University has strong scientific cooperation with partner universities in Northern and Eastern Europe as well as Russia. Cultures of the Baltic Sea Region are one main focus in research and teaching, especially within the Faculty of Arts.
Students can study all languages of the Baltic Region or concentrate on this area in the fields of Political Sciences and History. This provides students interested in learning Estonian, Latvian and Lithuanian a great opportunity to learn three European languages that are not offered on the Berkeley campus. The University of Greifswald furthermore has strong research capacities in the Life sciences (Community Medicine, Environmental Changes, Plasma Physics, Proteomics) as well as Law and Business. Some of these courses are offered in English, others in German.
This grant can be combined with other IES grants/fellowships.
PLEASE NOTE: Grant recipients are expected to complete their research stay in residence at the designated partner university during the calendar year they applied for (not the end of the school year).
Award amount: Students will receive a fellowship of EUR 1,000 per month, paid directly upon arrival in Greifswald. Students must cover their own health insurance costs, travel and accommodation costs and all additional costs associated with their stay at Greifswald.
NOTE: Students must pay an administrative fee of EUR 124 to the University of Greifswald prior to arrival. The fee covers costs for enrollment, student ID, library privileges, e-mail, reduced rates at the student cafeteria, and access to other campus facilities. The administration fee is subject to change.
Eligibility: Berkeley students from all fields can apply. Candidates must demonstrate in their application that they already have a faculty supervisor/contact at Greifswald University.
The University of Griefswald will support Berkeley students in finding a faculty mentor, in applying for external grants (DAAD/ Fulbright scholarships) for their stay at Greifswald, and in applying for housing in the student dormitory of Studierendenwerk Greifswald. Students from IES can take part in the Buddy-programme and the preparatory summer school of the Greifswald International Office.
Application Instructions
Students should explain in their cover letter if they wish to apply for:
- Regular semester courses (April-early July and/or October-early February). Students who apply for courses taught in German are expected to have solid knowledge of the German language. Students who exclusively apply for courses taught in English do not need to have previous knowledge of German but are encouraged to participate in the intensive German language courses (2-3 weeks prior to the start of the semester) free of charge.
- The University of Greifswald’s Summerschool Greifswald Summer, 2-6 weeks in August or September. This course combines German language classes on 2+ different levels and workshops with an extensive program of cultural events and excursions.
- Graduate students can apply for option 1) and 2) but can also come to Greifswald for research purposes only. Those students need to add to their application a short invitation letter (or e-mail) by their Greifswald research supervisor, with indication of the duration of their stay.
Required materials:
- A one-page application letter (indicating preference for summer, semester, or research)
- A 100-word (maximum) abstract of your research
- A research statement of no more than three pages
- One letter of recommendation from a UC Berkeley faculty member - letter should be sent to ies@berkeley.edu
- One letter or e-mail from your research supervisor at Greifswald University, with indication of the duration of your stay
Deadline: March 1
For more information about the University of Greifswald, please contact Roberta Wirminghaus, International Exchange Coordinator: hsa@uni-greifswald.de
For additional information on this fellowship opportunity, please contact ies@berkeley.edu.