DAAD WISE Scholarship

In my third year, I have been a lot paranoid about getting this intern sorted as early as possible. The first major hurdle was finding a guide and host. I have received a lot of help for this part of my venture. However I faced a lot of hiccups in the paperwork part following that. With deadlines booming and no seniors to advice or help, I had to run here and there to get things done. The sole motivation of this blog is to provide fellow juniors and aspirants the guidance I never got ( I made this oath in a fury). Enjoy exploring.

Before starting with this, one must recognise why he or she wants to do a DAAD or  any research intern. Many equate it with prestige and it is a go to option for many core interested people in many institutions (maybe due to lack of well paying core internship or no core internships at all). However I would like to give a sound and strong opinion that try this only if you are interested in research in a fixed topic under some Particular faculty. I have highlighted the words which constitute the ideal scenario. I would suggest starting with the preparations for those from second year. Try exploring your passion in this time. Be open and not orthodox but also be persistent(don't give up too soon). Once you have got into that loop then lets go to next step.

Now when time comes, you should start databasing. A special note for aerospace students: they might find faculty of their interest in mechanical and sometimes even physics departments. This is an essential step in doing any research intern, not only DAAD WISE. A major assistance you can get is from your guide or the professor under whom you did your project (not necessarily,  also a professor whom you did a course under would be more than willing to help you). With their help, you can collect a database of people working in your area. They are more likely to select you if you have a beforehand experience in their domain of work. One is suggested to apply for a DAAD WISE scholarship, if they are able to find a German university with good research in field you want to work.

Now the next part is cold mailing. If possible try to get in contact with your faculty of interest via the professor of your college. This is the most easy and convenient method. Cold mailing has a major factor of luck and timing as your mail may have gotten under a pile of other mail. If the professor has seen the mail, there is a high chance that he/she will reply back!. Accepted or not is an another story but getting a reply is very helpful in improving your further mails. Make sure to give up only after you send 3-4 reminder mails. Try sending a reminder per week and make sure to send the mail at the right time, in the sense you have to send the e-mail that reaches them on a working day, morning 8AM -9AM of their time zone. For German professors and Indian Applicants, it corresponds to around IST 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM (Afternoon). Suppose you mailed at the wrong time, make sure you send a reminder at the right time.

Mailing Formalities:

• Refrain from making ChatGPT write your entire letter! Your own words are valued more than fancy terms.

• Mail only one professor at a time for one particular university ( it is a sign of desperation than dedication )

• Address them as Dear Professor "_Surname_" as it is a norm in western countries.

• Explain what you have worked on and how it is related to the professors work and how you can learn and contribute.

• Attach your CV or resume in pdf format( if possible)

• Highlight important points and if possible try reading their works.

I am providing a sample mail (One I have send)

This is the most challenging part after getting a German host. The tremendous and confusing paperwork. For Indian students, they can apply for the DAAD WISE scholarship via this website ( CLICK HERE! ). In short the application procedure is split into two parts.

1. Online application

In total one has to submit 10 documents as follows. 

• Application form cover :  You can download this from the application portal once it has been opened. After downloading, you can only open it in Adobe Acrobat reader. Due to its HTML format, you can edit the contents and fill out your personal information. 

• The next document is proof of enrolment, which is available in editable pdf format in the website mentioned above. You will have to fill details about you and the institute ( email of institute is that of dean AP) and get it signed and stamped from the registrar of Academic office of the institute. WARNING! : One must get this document signed by your faculty adviser and HoD along with the latter's stamp before giving to the registrar. [ I had to run between Aero dept office and Academic building a lot of rounds trying to get this sorted].

• Curriculum Vitae (No format)

• Letter of Motivation for DAAD and your project (No format)

• No objection Certificate to be signed by you HoD and Stamped by the department office.

• University degree certificates indicating final grade(s) or your transcript which you can get as a hardcopy after paying Rs. 150 at the academic office. You will have to scan it and upload.

The remaining documents are to be filled by your host ( these documents are in German so dont panick)

1. Letter of invitation from the host university

2. Internship Plan 

3. DAAD intern approval form ( by Host)

4. Application for internship for further education purposes, to be completed by the supervisor in Germany (there is also an additional document that will be helpful for the host to refer.

2. Application By Post

• Once you have uploaded these 10 documents online, you will get a confirmation by mail and also a button that will generate an application summary and a refference letter (LoR) form to be filled and signed by your Indian Professor. You will have to send a hard copy of these to DAAD regional office in New Delhi via post.