Attract international talent to your research: Submit TUM PREP projects for 2027 now!
TUM Global, News |
As part of TUM PREP, students from selected partner universities in the United States and Canada, Imperial College London, and, most recently, NTU Singapore, contribute to current research projects at TUM. They gain insights into research at one of Europe’s leading technical universities while bringing new perspectives and international experience to the research projects they join.
Added value for chairs and research groups
Experiences from previous years show that TUM PREP provides significant benefits for both participating students and the host chairs – from new scientific impulses and international networking opportunities to the chance to connect with talented early-career researchers at an early stage.
Valuable and lasting contributions from TUM PREP students
Prof. Andreas Reiserer from the Professorship of Quantum Networks at the TUM School of Natural Sciences particularly values the scientific contributions that TUM PREP students can make to research projects: “Despite the short duration of her stay, she made a valuable contribution to one of our research projects. We have remained in contact after her return, which could lay the foundation for a long-term and successful collaboration.”
New perspectives through international collaboration
In addition to scientific contributions, many research groups particularly value the international exchange that TUM PREP brings. Prof. Hubert Gasteiger from the Chair of Technical Electrochemistry at the TUM School of Natural Sciences experienced the collaboration with TUM PREP students from Virginia Tech and the University of Wisconsin–Madison as a great benefit for his team: “Their different academic backgrounds brought fresh ideas and new perspectives to our research. Their energy, curiosity, and international spirit also enriched the entire team.”
Professional and personal enrichment for research teams
Prof. Stephen Schrettl from the Professorship of Functional Materials for Food Packaging at the TUM School of Life Sciences also highlights how quickly TUM PREP students can integrate into existing research teams and make valuable contributions:
“Hosting a student from Imperial College London through TUM PREP was a real highlight for our research group. Her enthusiasm, analytical skills, and ability to quickly integrate into our team enriched our group both professionally and personally. It was inspiring to see how quickly she became involved in our research. TUM PREP was a rewarding experience for all of us.”
From TUM PREP to a PhD at TUM
The example of Daniel Penn from Imperial College London demonstrates the lasting impact that TUM PREP can have. As part of TUM PREP, he spent two months at the TUM School of Life Sciences in the summer of 2024, where he worked on a simulation for the 3D printing of pharmaceutical tablets. The research project, the international research environment, and the exchange with researchers and fellow participants inspired him to return to TUM as a doctoral candidate.
His journey shows how a multi-week research stay can lead to new scientific perspectives – and highlights the potential of TUM PREP to attract international early-career researchers to TUM.
Submit your TUM PREP project for 2027!
Do you lead a research group or chair at TUM and would like to involve talented international students in your research project? for the next TUM PREP session in summer 2027 via this Wiki form by August 23, 2026
Previously submitted projects can also be reoffered for Summer 2027. In this case, simply send an email to prep@tum.de including your existing project code.
More information about the program can be found on the TUM PREP website.