Dear DAAD Friends and Alumni!🎓

Welcome to the Sommer edition of the DAAD Australia Newsletter!

As we share the final newsletter for 2025, we extend our sincere gratitude to all partners, supporters and friends who joined us in celebrating the DAAD’s 100-year anniversary throughout the year.

Across a range of events, we reflected on a century of achievements in academic exchange. Since its founding in 1925, the DAAD has grown into the world’s largest organisation for academic exchange, supporting more than three million students and researchers - Germans going abroad and international scholars coming to Germany.

Today, academic cooperation between Australia and Germany is thriving and continuing to expand.

In this edition, you will find insights into the benefits of this collaboration and the new opportunities it generates in research, study, academia and cultural exchange.

Key topics in this issue include:

Celebrating 100 Years of the DAAD in Australia

• German Cultural Day in Sydney 2025
• Science and Innovation Day at Griffith University, Brisbane
• Science and Innovation Day at the University of Canberra
• Australia’s first Science & The Arts Slam at Monash University, Melbourne

DAAD Lecturers and Alumni

• First Indo-Pacific Regional Meeting of DAAD Lecturers in Auckland, New Zealand
• German Studies Association of Australia with DAAD Lecturers, Melbourne
• DAAD Alumni Association Australia - Activities in 2025

DAAD Publications

• Wissenschaft weltoffen 2025

Research in Germany Newsletter

• Spotlights: Agriculture and Food Sciences

DAAD News and Updates

• Global Minds Initiative Germany
• Nobel Prize in Literature awarded to DAAD Alumnus László Krasznahorkai
• Australian author Anna Funder on Short-term research visit to DAAD Artists-in-Berlin Programme
• Scholarships, Grants and Programmes
• University Advertisements

We hope you enjoy this edition!

The team at the DAAD Information Centre in Sydney wishes you

a joyful festive season, a peaceful holiday, and a wonderful start

to the New Year 2026!

With kind regards, 

Silke Schoppe and Michael Rieke

DAAD Australia Information Centre Sydney Contact Details

The Information Centre will be closed:

from 24 December 2025 to 2 January 2026.

For enquiries and information, please contact the DAAD Information Centre in Sydney:

Telephone: +61272088119

Email: info@daad-australia.org

Teleconferencing: please contact us via email, and our friendly staff will arrange an appointment and provide you with an access link.

Celebration 100 Years of the DAAD

across Australia in Spring 2025

German Cultural Day - Celebrating language, culture, and study opportunities with a vibrant community.

DAAD Australia and the Goethe-Institut Sydney welcomed a vibrant crowd to this year’s German Culture Day in early October. Together with our partner organisations, we offered a diverse program that once again sparked strong interest in German language, culture, and the many study and research pathways available in Germany.

Our information stall enjoyed steady engagement throughout the day, with many visitors keen to learn about scholarships, exchange opportunities, and academic life in Germany.

We were especially pleased to have the support of our intern Max Schickinger from the University of Sydney, who contributed enthusiastically to the conversations with prospective students and visitors.

A heartfelt thank you to all partners and participants for joining us - especially as we celebrate the DAAD’s 100-year anniversary in 2025!

Photo: DAAD IC Sydney

Brisbane German Week

German-Australian Science and Innovation Day at Griffith University

At the beginning of October, Brisbane German Week celebrated the 10-year anniversary of its German–Australian Science and Innovation Day at Griffith University, marking a decade of fostering academic and research collaboration between Australia and Germany.

To commemorate this milestone - and in honour of the DAAD’s 100-year anniversary - DAAD Research Ambassadors Prof. Joerg Baumeister (Griffith University, School of Engineering and Built Environment – Architecture) and Assoc. Prof. Thomas Haselhorst (Griffith University, School of Environment and Science – Chemistry and Forensic Science) delivered presentations on the value of international research partnerships. They shared insights from their own collaborative projects and highlighted DAAD funding opportunities that support bilateral scientific engagement.



Further information about the Australia–Germany Joint Research Cooperation Scheme is available here.

Photos: Brisbane German Week

From top to bottom: Prof. Joerg Baumeister and Assoc. Prof. Thomas Haselhorst

Canberra German Week

German-Australian Science and Innovation Day at the University of Canberra

In mid-October, Canberra German Week hosted its second Science and Innovation Day, held at the University of Canberra. The event brought together researchers, students, and partners from across the ACT to share contemporary insights and first-hand perspectives on Australian–German research collaboration. Participants enjoyed a diverse program of presentations from renowned Canberra-based researchers, highlighting current projects and emerging fields of joint interest.

A special moment of the day was the celebration of the 100-year anniversary of the DAAD, honouring a century of academic exchange and cooperation. In this context, DAAD Research Ambassador Prof. Alexander Maier (ANU - Research School of Biology) reflected on his DAAD Guest Lectureship at Humboldt University in Berlin, while Prof. Elke Stracke, DAAD Research Ambassador (UC - Faculty of Education), introduced DAAD funding schemes and exchange opportunities for students and researchers.

DAAD Alumnus Lucas Medcraft (Languages and Cultures Professional, Canberra) also shared insights on the role of Germany and German higher education institutions in promoting international student engagement and mobility.

Photo: University of Canberra

Melbourne German Week

Australia’s first "Science & The Arts Slam" at Monash University

27 October 2025

PhD students and researchers from Monash University’s Faculty of Arts and the field of Engineering took the stage to edutain a lay audience with their research projects. Each project highlighted a connection to the German language or Germany, showcasing the many ways university studies and research can be combined with exchange opportunities. The Slam was organised by DAAD lecturer Jessica Lesjak and celebrated 100 years of DAAD.

A big thank you to our inspiring presenters Aneasshae Prekkash, Rohith Prakash, Jun Ng, Kate Burridge and Axel Fliethmann, and congratulations to Will Lawrence from the School of Media, Film & Journalism, who won the audience vote for his talk on “Learning Attitudes about German”!

In photo from left to right:

Axel Fliethmann, Jun Ng, Aneasshae Prekkash, William Lawrence, Kate Burridge, Jessica Lesjak (Participant Rohith Prakash presented online from Brisbane).

Text and photo: DAAD lecturer Jessica Lesjak

First DAAD Indo-Pacific Regional Meeting of the DAAD Lecturers in Auckland, NZ

First DAAD Regional Meeting Indo-Pacific in Auckland

Under the motto “Change through exchange and exchange through change,” the first Regional Meeting of DAAD lecturers in the Indo-Pacific took place from 30 October to 2 November 2025 at the University of Auckland in Aotearoa New Zealand. Nineteen lecturers from Australia, New Zealand, India, Indonesia, Laos, South Korea and Thailand came together for professional exchange, networking, and to celebrate DAAD’s 100th anniversary.

The ceremony at Fale Pasifika was hosted by German Ambassador Nicole Menzenbach alongside representatives from the university, the Goethe-Institut New Zealand and DAAD alumni. Highlights included a panel discussion on career paths after studying in Germany, a keynote by geopolitical analyst Geoffrey Miller on the importance of language skills in the digital age, and a lecture by Professor Michael Witbrock on the use of AI in education.

Open-space sessions encouraged new ideas for cooperation, while an excursion to the volcanic island of Rangitoto offered a glimpse into Auckland’s unique natural landscape.

Organisers Mareike Schmidt, Dr. Michael Stadler and Andreas Wiebel see the Regional Meeting as the beginning of a sustainable Indo-Pacific dialogue that will continue to strengthen teaching, research and international networking in German Studies.

Text and photo: DAAD lecturer Andreas Wiebel

GSAA - German Studies Association of Australia

International German Studies Association of Australia (GSAA) Conference in Melbourne,

18 - 21 November 2025

More than 50 researchers in German Studies from 13 countries attended the 2025 GSAA Conference on the theme of “Community,” held at Monash University and the University of Melbourne. The conference was organised by the universities’ German Studies academic staff, who also contributed presentations on their current research projects.

The opening keynote, delivered by the University of Berkeley’s Prof. Deniz Göktürk on “Unity of Gaps,” set the stage for sections on contemporary literature, literary history, queer communities, (post)migration, (post)colonialism, and more.

DAAD lecturers Jessica Lesjak (Monash University), Mareike Schmidt (University of Auckland), and Andreas Wiebel (University of Melbourne) presented and discussed projects and research from their German language classrooms in Australia and Aotearoa / New Zealand.

Text and photo: DAAD lecturer Jessica Lesjak

DAAD Alumni Association Australia

Dear Alumni and friends,

What a year it has been! We have greatly enjoyed getting together with you on several occasions, and we thank you all for your ongoing support and cooperation throughout the year.

We began with a lively panel discussion on AI and its implications across all sectors and for collaboration; we listened to DAAD Alumnus Anthony Welch share his “Life Journey” and his experiences living and studying in Berlin in the 1980s; we warmly welcomed DAAD President Professor Joybrato Mukherjee; and some of us had the honour of attending the special event marking the 35th anniversary of German reunification at the MCA, hosted by the German Consul General.

We would like to extend our special thanks and gratitude to our Consul General, Felix Schwarz, for his support, and to the DAAD team in Australia, Michael Rieke and Silke Schoppe, for their continued cooperation, engagement, and inspiring ideas for future collaboration.

Wishing you all a wonderful festive season, a relaxing holiday with your family and friends, and a very Happy New Year.

We look forward to seeing you at a DAAD Alumni events in 2026.

Best wishes, Claudia Nelson, President

DAAD Alumni Association 



Text and photo: Claudia Nelson

New edition of Wissenschaft weltoffen 2025

High number of international students in Germany again

German universities continue to be a major draw for students and early-career researchers worldwide.

In the 2024/25 winter semester, approximately 402,000 international students and doctoral candidates were enrolled across the country - an increase of about six percent compared to the previous year. This sustained growth reflects Germany’s strong academic reputation, particularly in the engineering and natural sciences, which together attract more than half of all international students.

The latest edition of Wissenschaft weltoffen - published by the DAAD in cooperation with the German Centre for Higher Education Research and Science Studies (DZHW) - also offers encouraging insights into student success. Contrary to earlier assumptions, international students’ dropout rates are closer to those of their German peers, underscoring their strong integration and academic performance.



“More than 400,000 international students and doctoral candidates confirm Germany's position as the most important non-English-speaking host country. Universities have once again proven their attractiveness to talented individuals from all over the world,” said DAAD President Prof. Dr. Joybrato Mukherjee.

Read the compact edition of Wissenschaft weltoffen 2025 in English here.

Read the new edition of Wissenschaft weltoffen 2025 in German here.

Research in Germany - newsletter spotlights

A spotlight on:

Agriculture and Food Sciences

From soil science to forestry, from plant production to food technology – agriculture and food sciences cover a remarkably broad range of research areas. Researchers in these disciplines are tackling major global challenges such as ending hunger, improving food security and helping crops adapt to climate change. 

Germany’s agriculture and food sciences landscape is internationally recognised for its interdisciplinary approaches and a strong link between basic and applied research. The Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Regional Identity (BMLEH) spent almost a billion euros on research in 2023, and its research institutions – which we introduce in our spotlight article – cooperate with European and international partners. Find out more in this issue of our newsletter.

Read the newsletter spotlights here

Photo: iStock/Zorgens

Global Minds Initiative Germany

The “Global Minds Initiative Germany” – a major new opportunity for international researchers!

Launched by the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR), the initiative invites talented researchers from all disciplines and career stages to apply for a wide range of short- and long-term research stays in Germany.

Building on the highly respected funding programmes of the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation (AvH) and the German Research Foundation (DFG), the Global Minds Initiative expands Germany’s support for international research excellence. New fellowships and enhanced mobility options aim to bring even more outstanding global researchers into Germany’s vibrant innovation landscape.

The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) is complementing this effort with targeted measures for international students and doctoral candidates. A new marketing campaign and the establishment of Graduate Welcome Centres at German universities will make study and research in Germany even more attractive. These centres will offer personalised onboarding and support to help excellent international students and doctoral researchers thrive from day one.

Explore the opportunities offered by the Global Minds Initiative Germany here.

Image: BMFTR - Adobe Stock/Fizkes

2025 Nobel Prize in Literature goes to former guest of the DAAD's Artists-in-Berlin Programme

DAAD President congratulates László Krasznahorkai

The 2025 Nobel Prize in Literature goes to Hungarian writer László Krasznahorkai, who lived and worked in the then still divided capital in 1987/88 at the invitation of the Berlin Artists Programme of the DAAD. This is the seventh time that an alumnus or alumna of the Artists Programme has been honoured with the highest literary award.

"We are delighted that László Krasznahorkai, another former guest of the DAAD's Berlin Artists-in-Residence Programme, has been awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature," said DAAD President Prof. Joybrato Mukherjee. "His work is characterised by linguistic power, intellectual depth and an unshakeable belief in the power of art. The fact that Krasznahorkai spent a year in Berlin underlines the international significance of the Artists' Programme as a place of free artistic exchange."

The DAAD Artists-in-Berlin Programme is one of the most internationally renowned scholarship programmes for artists and, at the same time, a vibrant centre for the production of art. Since 1963, more than 1,200 foreign artists from the fields of fine arts, film, literature and music have lived and worked in Berlin at the invitation of the Berliner Künstlerprogramm (BKP).

Read more about the connection between László Krasznahorkai and the DAAD here.

Anna Funder: Short-term Research Visit

DAAD Arts-and-Media Program, Berlin 2025 

Award-winning Australian author embarks on a new creative chapter in Berlin.

Australian author Anna Funder has been selected for a short-term research stay in December as part of the DAAD Artists-in-Berlin Programme Fellowships for 2025, joining one of Germany’s most prestigious residency programmes.

Known internationally for Stasiland, her powerful account of life under the Stasi regime, and for her Miles Franklin–winning novel All That I Am, Funder is celebrated for her deep research, narrative insight and keen political awareness.

Her most recent book, Wifedom: Mrs Orwell’s Invisible Life, has attracted global acclaim, including a New York Times Notable Book listing and France’s Prix du Meilleur Livre Étranger.

During her research stay in Berlin, Funder will continue developing new literary work within the vibrant DAAD arts community.

Read more about the DAAD Artists-in-Berlin Programme

and Anna Funder here.

Scholarships, Grants and Programmes

Call for Applications

DAAD Artists-in-Berlin Programme 2027

The DAAD Artists-in-Berlin Programme is one of the world’s most renowned residency programs for international artists and cultural practitioners in the fields of visual arts, film, literature, and music & sound. Each year, around twenty outstanding creatives are invited to live and work in Berlin — a city known for its vibrant and diverse cultural scene.

The residency offers time, space, and inspiration for artistic exploration without production obligations. Fellows are encouraged to engage with Berlin’s dynamic artistic communities and, with support from the DAAD, present their work through exhibitions, concerts, performances, film projects, readings, and publications.

Application deadline: 15 December 2025 (for film, literature, and music & sound). Visual arts candidates are nominated by a specialist jury and cannot apply directly.

Funded by the DAAD with funds from the German Federal Foreign Ministry and the Senate of Berlin.

Further information is available here.

Photo: Canva

Call for Applications

DAAD VORsprung - A digital head start for Engineering and Science studies in Germany

Applications are now open for VORsprung, a free 6–8 month online programme by the DAAD that prepares international students for STEM studies in Germany. Participants can focus on two STEM subjects (physics, math, chemistry, or IT) while also improving their German language skills.

Application deadline: 15 January 2026

(German intensive course begins: March 2026, Regular study programme starts: April 2026)

Further information is available here.

Funded by the DAAD with funds from the German Federal Foreign Ministry.

Photo: Canva

Call for Applications

DAAD Research Grants in Germany for Doctoral Candidates and Postdocs

Doctoral students interested in pursuing a research project in Germany are invited to apply for funding for a period of between 2 and 12 months. Similarly, postdoctoral researchers who have already obtained a PhD are eligible to apply for funding periods of between 2 and 6 months.

Application deadline: 3 April 2026

(Start of funding in July 2026)

Funded by the DAAD with funds from the German Federal Foreign Ministry.

Further information is available here.


Photo: Canva

Call for Applications

DAAD Alumni - Re-invitation Programme

for former Scholarship Holders

This funding programme invites previous holders of scholarships and grants to return to Germany for research and working projects. DAAD Alumni in Australia can establish new contacts, promote cooperation and extend their network in Germany for up to 3 months.

Application deadline: 3 April 2026

(Start of funding in July 2026)

Funded by the DAAD with funds from the German Federal Foreign Ministry.

Further information is available here.

Photo: Canva

Call for Applications

DAAD Study Visits for Academics: Artists and Architects

This Study Visit Programme for Artists and Architects promotes artistic cooperation between Australia and Germany. Academic teachers of Architecture, Fine Art, Design, Visual Communications, Performing Arts and Music are invited to work on a research project in cooperation with a German host institution. The artistic cooperation stay is funded for a period up to 3 months.

Application deadline: 3 April 2026

(Start of funding in July 2026)

Funded by the DAAD with funds from the German Federal Foreign Ministry.

Further information is available here.

Photo: Canva

Call for Applications

International Professional Development Programme for Alumni

The Technische Universität Berlin invites alumni of German universities and research institutions living abroad to apply for the international professional development programme "Sharing knowledge, shaping transformation: Transdisciplinarity in professional life and everyday practice".

The course introduces key methods and perspectives for addressing complex societal challenges, with a focus on sustainability and processes of change.

The programme includes two online preparatory sessions, a seven-day workshop in Berlin (12 – 18 July 2026), and a follow-up online unit, featuring group work, case studies, expert input and excursions. All sessions are held in English.

Application deadline: 11 January 2026

Find details about the program, terms and conditions, and the application link here.

This programme is subject to funding by the DAAD with funds from the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development and the Federal Foreign Office.

Photo: Canva

Call for Applications

International Leo Baeck Fellowship Programme 2026/2027

Applications are now open for the International Leo Baeck Fellowship Programme for the German academic year October 2026 to September 2027.

The programme supports PhD candidates conducting research in the field of German-Jewish history and culture and is jointly organised by the Leo Baeck Institute London, the Leibniz Institute for Jewish History and Culture – Simon Dubnow in Leipzig, and the Studienstiftung des deutschen Volkes.

The call is open to doctoral researchers worldwide.



Fellows receive a monthly stipend of €1,650 plus a €100 research allowance, with optional supplements for health insurance, childcare, travel, and tuition fees abroad.

Application deadline: 1 February 2026.

Further information is available here.

Photo: Canva

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