DAAD Prize for outstanding achievements of international students at German universities

Goals of the DAAD Prize

In 2024, the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) will provide the University of Potsdam with funds for the DAAD Prize for Outstanding Achievement of International Students. The selection of the prize winners is the responsibility of the university. The DAAD Prize helps to put faces to international students at German universities and link them with stories. Every single international student takes a piece of Germany back to their home country and leaves something of themselves here - thus enriching both sides. For the University of Potsdam, the DAAD Prize is the most important honor awarded to international students. This prize is a public recognition of their academic achievements by one of the most renowned scholarship organizations in Germany. Having been a DAAD scholarship holder or prize winner can make it easier to start a career. The "DAAD ALUMNI community" also offers prize winners an international network. DAAD scholarship holders generally remain connected to their universities and often return to the institution as doctoral students or researchers.

Who can receive a DAAD Prize?

The DAAD Prize can be granted to enrolled foreign students (foreign students who have acquired their university entrance qualification abroad) who distinguish themselves through remarkable social, in particular intercultural, commitment and special academic achievements and who are in the advanced stage of their Bachelor's (at least 2nd or 3rd year) or Master's studies (at least 2nd semester).

In addition, young graduates and doctoral candidates may also be nominated if their graduation was not more than three months ago at the time of the award.

Doctoral students will be considered if they have earned their master's degree at the University of Potsdam. The DAAD award is not a research prize and cannot be awarded as a prize for a doctoral thesis.

The following groups of persons are not eligible for nomination:  Guest or exchange students, students who have already left Germany, Bildungsinländer (foreign students who have acquired their university entrance qualification in Germany). The DAAD Prize may not be awarded twice to the same person.

Students who, during their studies,  are sponsored by a german organisation, can be nominated. However the purpose of the prize is, to honor students who successfully master their studies on their own.

Nominations for the DAAD Prize are made on the basis of suggestions from professors, lecturers or fellow students. Self-nominations are not possible.

Prize money

The prize money is 1.000€ .

Award ceremony

The prize will be awarded at the  Graduation Ceremony.