More and more US students and researchers in Germany
The German federal government’s Global Minds programme specifically promotes the recruitment of foreign academics.
Berlin (dpa, d.de) – International researchers are increasingly drawn to Germany – particularly from the United States. German research organisations and the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) received significantly more applications from US academics last year, with the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation recording around one third more applications from the United States in 2025 than in the previous year, mainly for research fellowships. Researchers from other countries are also showing growing interest in Germany. “Academics have automatically tended to look to the United States for the next step in their career up to now, but this is beginning to change,” said the DAAD.
Since summer 2025, the German federal government has been promoting the targeted recruitment of foreign academics through its Global Minds programme, which builds on existing initiatives run by the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation and the German Research Foundation (DFG). A total of 600 million euros is to be invested over the next ten years. “This programme makes us a frontrunner in Europe and enables us to provide a major boost – both for urgently needed skilled professionals and for excellent research in Germany,” said Federal Minister for Research Dorothee Bär.
