When do I need to submit my PROMOS application?
The current application deadlines are published on the website Scholarships and grants for stays abroad. Applications cannot be submitted after the deadline.
When should I apply for an international stay, e.g., from March 1 to August 31?
In this case, you can apply either by November 30 of the previous year or by May 31 of the same year, as there is no significant time emphasis on the stay abroad before or after these dates. Submitting applications for both deadlines is not permitted.
In which language should the motivation letter or CV be submitted?
All documents can be submitted either entirely or partially in German or English.
Who provides a confirmation or reference letter?
Typically, the supervisor of your thesis is best suited to assess the relevance of the international stay. The letter can also be written by a research associate or PhD candidate, provided they are familiar with the topic of your work and can evaluate the relevance of the stay abroad.
If you wish to submit an additional reference letter, it can, for example, be written by a former professor or research associate from another institution, as long as it is clear that they can assess you as a person (e.g., the supervisor of your bachelor’s thesis or a reference letter for a position as a research assistant at a department).
What does an acceptance/supervision confirmation from the foreign university/institution look like?
An official invitation letter (on the institution’s letterhead) with information about the duration and content/objective of your stay is required. A copy of email correspondence is not sufficient.
Which documents can be submitted after the application deadline?
The following documents can be submitted via email up to 6 weeks after the application deadline:
- Confirmation/reference letter from a professor or research associate of the university
- Acceptance or supervision confirmation from the foreign university/research institution
- Timeline for the thesis (only applicable in cases such as fieldwork)
Please mention in your initial application that these documents will be submitted later and inform us when the missing documents will be provided.
Which language certificates are accepted?
- DAAD language certificate, which can be obtained, for example, at the TUM Language Center after a free test
- Proof of successful participation in a language course in the relevant language, including the course level (e.g., Spanish, B2, grade 1.8)
- Other language certificates such as TOEFL or IELTS. If these are more than 2 years old, a plausible explanation must be provided as to why the language level (e.g., C1) has remained unchanged (e.g., due to an English-language master’s program, an extended stay abroad, etc.)
- Proof of bilingualism (e.g., if childhood, schooling, or previous studies were spent abroad). This should be documented in a "Declaration of Language Proficiency" in a separate document.
How much money will I receive if my application is approved?
You will receive monthly allowances for the actual duration of your stay, up to a maximum of six months. The current monthly stipends for the respective country can be found in the information on the PROMOS Individual scholarship under Grant amounts in the DAAD funding rates overview. For candidates from the waiting list, funding may only cover half of the duration of the stay (e.g., 3 out of 6 months) if funds become available again due to withdrawals.
I am going abroad from March 1 to September 30. Will I receive the monthly allowances starting in March, even though the application deadline is May 31?
Yes, if approved, you will receive the monthly allowances retroactively from March through August (maximum funding duration of 6 months).
Can I receive a travel cost subsidy?
A travel cost subsidy may be granted only if surplus funds are available. In this case, it will be awarded to the top applicants of each school. You will be informed if applicable.
Are tuition fees covered?
No, tuition fees at a foreign university are not part of the PROMOS funding provided by TUM.
Will I also receive a “daily allowance”?
No, daily allowances are only provided for study trips (group trips).
The U.S. university requires proof that 50% of the monthly costs (e.g., around €2,000) come from non-private funds. What should I do?
Unfortunately, a public funding program like PROMOS (DAAD) cannot meet such requirements. In this case, you can contact the PROMOS representative via email for advice.
Which additional scholarships can I receive alongside PROMOS?
Funding from private sources, businesses, or non-publicly funded foundations can be combined with a PROMOS scholarship.
Double funding with other scholarship programs is not possible if these involve (partially) public funds. This includes programs such as DAAD scholarships, ERASMUS+, the German Academic Scholarship Foundation (Studienstiftung des Deutschen Volkes), or other funding provided by the university.
If you are also receiving BAföG, €300 of the PROMOS funding is exempt from deduction. Any amount exceeding this will be offset against your BAföG entitlement, reducing the total BAföG amount accordingly.
I am receiving a subsidy for housing or mobility at my research location. Is this compatible with PROMOS?
Yes, such subsidies can be received simultaneously with PROMOS funding. However, a salary for work performed is not compatible with PROMOS.
Are there alternative/additional funding programs for my stay abroad?
On our website, under Scholarships from External Providers, you can find many additional funding opportunities. For further information and advice, please contact the provider of these scholarships directly (e.g., DAAD or BayLat). These scholarships can only be combined with PROMOS based on the criteria mentioned above, meaning they must not originate from public funds.
How long does the selection process take?
The selection process usually takes about 10 weeks from the application deadline.
Example:
- Application deadline: May 31 → Notification of approval/rejection: Early August
- Application deadline: November 30 → Notification of approval/rejection: Early February
Can my application be prioritized?
No, PROMOS involves a centralized selection process, so applications cannot be expedited.
I need the approval earlier for my visa. Is that possible?
No, the above-mentioned selection deadlines apply.
My fellow student already received a PROMOS approval a few days ago, while I haven’t heard anything yet. What does this mean?
We always send out approvals first, followed by rejections approximately 1-2 weeks later. Based on experience, there are usually withdrawals from successful applicants, allowing us to redistribute the funds to a waiting list.
My stay is shortened or extended; how do I report this?
Send an email to the contact person listed on the website for study abroad scholarships, including a brief explanation and an official confirmation from the foreign university/institution with the updated dates.
If your stay is extended, your scholarship can be extended up to 6 months, provided this proof is submitted and funds are still available. In the case of a shortened stay, you may need to repay any excess funds received.
Do I need to submit confirmation after my stay abroad?
Yes, you will find a Confirmation of Stay form in the information on PROMOS Individual scholarships under Confirmation of Stay. Please send this with a signature and, if possible, a stamp from the foreign university/institution to the TUM Global & Alumni Office. Alternatively, you can submit an informal signed letter on the official letterhead of the foreign university/institution.
What is a Diploma Supplement?
This final confirmation is also a requirement for your stay abroad to be recorded in your university transcript as a Diploma Supplement.