Goethe Research Experience Program

Welcome to the Goethe Research Experience Program!

The Goethe Research Experience Program (GREP) offers scholarships for advanced undergraduate and master students of high academic standing to gain cutting-edge research experience in one of Goethe University's multidisciplinary research profile areas. Students can benefit from individual supervision by excellent researchers, build their own research network and strengthen their academic and intercultural competences through working and studying with professionals on a predetermined 2-6 months research project with the option to gain credit points that can be recognised towards the degree at the home university.

  • For advanced undergraduate and master students with high academic standing
  • 2-6 six months research visits in one of Goethe University's multidisciplinary research profile areas
  • Individual mentoring and supervision by excellent research professionals from GU
  • Optional 3 weeks intensive German language course at the Goethe-Insitute Frankfurt (online / face-to-face)
  • Participation in exclusive orientation program, social events and excursions in and around the city of Frankfurt
  • English as working language
  • Fellowship and ECTS Certificate
  • Accommodation in private student residence incl. full coverage of rent
  • Partial travel allowance (up to € 1.000)
  • Free intensive German language course 
  • Free access to public transport and museums
  • Tuition waiver for university enrolment incl. access to campus networks
  • Coverage of health insurance for students who do not have the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC)
  • Personal advice on visa application, mandatory insurance etc.
  • Students can pursue an individual research project, e.g. in preparation for their final thesis (2-3 months).
  • Students from natural and life sciences can complete a laboratory visit as part of a mandatory elective module in specific degree programs at GU (2-3 months).
  • Students can write their final thesis under dual supervision by the home institution and GU (3-6 months).
  • During their reserach visit, students are placed in an established research group and conduct their own research under close supervision by research staff at GU.
  • They are expected to report on their progress regularly, hand in a final written report and give an oral presentation in English at the end of the programme for an evaluation by the hosting research project.

Research Projects

At Goethe University scientific excellence is concentrated in six profile areas of research, in which researchers from various disciplines and institutions collaborate in internationally competitive research projects. Interested students can choose to pursue an individual research visit within one of the designated research projects listed in our project database. 

The research areas vary from natural and life science to social sciences and humanities:

Within the field of molecular and translational medicine, students can conduct research in cardiology, oncology, neuroscience and drug research at the existing research cluster Cardio Pulmonary Institute (CPI).

Within the field of biomedical sciences and technologies, students can develop new therapeutic approaches for complex diseases at the new research cluster EMTHERA.

Within the field of cell biology, biophysics, molecular biology, neurobiology, chemistry, bioinformatics and mathematics, students can conduct interdisciplinary research on subcellular architecture and cell behaviour at the new research cluster SCALE.

Within the field of theoretical physics and astro-physics, students can conduct research on heavy elements in the universe, neutron stars, kilonovas and gravitational waves at the new research cluster ELEMENTS.

Within the field of social sciences and media studies students can conduct interdisciplinary research on social conflicts and the question of trust in relation to peacemaking at the new research cluster ConTrust.

Within in the field of humanities and religious studies, students can conduct interdisciplinary research on the relations and perceptions between the three monotheistic religions "Judaism," "Christianity" and "Islam" in historical and contemporary global contexts at the research project DynRel.

Within the field of sustainability and biodiversity students can conduct research on environmental pollution, biodiversity loss, and climate change at the research project RobustNature

Degree Programs

Students from natural and life sciences can complete a laboratory visit as part of a mandatory elective module in one of the following study programs:

  1. M.Sc. Interdisciplinary Neuroscience
  2. M.Sc. Environmental Science
  3. M.Sc. Molecular Medicine

Spring Intake 2024

Duration: April 2024 - September 2024

Nomination Deadline: October 15th, 2023

Application Deadline: Oktober 31st, 2023 

Admission: within 4-6 weeks

Research visits: 2-6 months
The exact dates and duration of the research visit can be arranged individually!

Welcome days: during 1st week of arrival

Language course: prior to or during your stay, face-to-face or online

Summer Intake 2024

Duration: June 2024 - August 2024

Nomination Deadline: January 15th, 2024

Application Deadline: January 31st, 2024 

Admission: within 4-6 weeks

Research visits: 8-12 weeks
The exact dates and duration of the research visit can be arranged individually!

Welcome days: during 1st week of arrival

Language course: prior to or during your stay, face-to-face or online

Winter Intake 2024/25

Duration: October 2024 - March 2025

Nomination Deadline: April15th, 2024

Application Deadline: April 30th, 2024

Admission: within 4-6 weeks

Research visits: 2-6 months
The exact dates and duration of the research visit can be arranged individually!

Welcome days: during 1st week of arrival

Language course: prior to or during your stay, face-to-face or online

Two step application process

STEP 1 

  • Check the GREP website for application requirements and deadlines
  • Choose a research project of your interest from the GREP project database
  • Get in contact with the responsible person for the reserach project to find an academic supervisor for your visit, e.g. by writing an e-mail and stating your research interest and motivation for the project
  • Get nominated for the GREP-scholarship by your prospective supervisor.
    • He/She needs to confirm your nomination via email to the GREP-team. Only if we get your nomination, you will be able to apply for GREP. The nomination serves as a first consultation. You can check if your interests coincide with the work, the research project is doing and if there they are able to supervise your research stay.

STEP 2

  • After your nomination, we will send you a link to the online application form. 
  • Sign up with the Mobility Online Portal of Goethe University. 
    • Follow the instructions provided by emails Mobility Online sends you and the information given in your workflow.
  • Prepare your documents as indicated below and upload them on the application platform Mobility Online.

Application Documents

  • Letter of Motivation
  • CV
  • B.A. Certificate for M.A. students 
  • School leaving certificate for B.A students (High School Diploma, A-Level (Secondary School), Baccalauréat (Lycée), Abitur, Matura)
  • Current Transcript of Records
  • Student Enrollment Certificate
  • Photo

Important Notes

  • If you have any question feel free to contact us!
  • Please consider the current deadline for summer intake 2024: January 31, 2024
  • Late or incomplete applications will not be considered.
  • Admissions and scholarship confirmations will be sent within 4-6 weeks
  • Please consider carefully if you will be able to finance your stay. 
  • In case of late cancellation, your place cannot be given to another student.

You are eligibile for application, if the following criteria apply:

  • Nomination by a research supervisor at GU (find out more here)
  • Bachelor or Master level student status at the time of application
  • Good to very good academic standing GPA of 3.0 or above (US), 80% (Canada), among the top 35% of your class according to the ECTS grading scale
  • Strong research interest matching the selected research project
  • Proof of previous research experience and/or relevant extracurricular activities

The program language and student support is provided in English. 

German language skills are not necessary for the acceptance into the programm. However, GREP-fellows can apply for a German intensive language course at the Goethe Institute in Frankfurt. German Intensive Courses (face-to-face) in Frankfurt start approx. 4 weeks prior to your research stay. There is also the possibility to join an online or blended learning German course prior or during your research stay.

For exact course dates, please refer to the online application form.

  • Students are going to write a paper, give a presentation and receive a final grade for their program participation.
  • Upon completion, students get a transcript of records with a written evaluation from their supervisor.
  • Students can receive ECTS credit points, depending on the duration and workload of their individual research project.
         The amount of ECTS credits will be pre-defined prior to the research visit. 
  • ECTS credits account for the quantity of workload and time spent to complete your research project
    • Practical work, individual research, written report, presentation etc. will be taken into consideration
    • 1 ECTS accounts approx. 30 hours of academic work, approx. 1/2 Canadian / US credit
  • Please contact your study programme manager for pre-approval and confirmation on credit conversion.

Since finding affordable housing in Frankfurt am Main is very difficult and time-consuming, GREP facilitates accommodation for the time of your research stay in private dormitories or shared flats.

All apartments and rooms in shared flats are fully furnished and have WIFI. Rooms in dormitories have a private bathroom. Cooking equipment, duvet and pillow are provided. Beside your personal belongings, you only need to bring bed sheets and towels.

  • A central information and networking event will facilitate the start and orientation of the project phase.
  • Various events and social activities will take place during the first program week, e.g. a University Campus Walk, a Frankfurt City Tour, dinner at a traditional restaurant to experience the famous Hessen specialities and much more.
  • Additional social excursions in and around the City of Frankfurt take place throughout their reserach stay, e.g. to Museums, the European Central Bank (ECB), hiking tour in the Taunus region or vineyeards of the Rhein-Main region, a visit to Heidelberg City etc. 

The Goethe Buddy Program supports you while you settle in Frankfurt! Your advantages for participation are:

  1. Support when you arrive (e.g. someone picks you up at the local train station or airport)
  2. Support when you have to go to authorities (e.g. registering in Frankfurt, open a bank account)
  3. Help finding your way around campus and the city of Frankfurt
  4. Improving your German language skills by actively communicating with native speakers
  5. Participation at events organised by the Internationaler Studientreff (IST)

Find out more!

Latest news of GREP

Contact

Program Management
Leonora Juergens

Phone +49 (0)69 798 15090
E-Mail: grep@uni-frankfurt.de 

Program Administration
Lisa Pfeiffer

Mobile +49 (0)1718616814

Phone +49 (0)69 798 15098

E-Mail: grep@uni-frankfurt.de 

Global Office
Goethe University Frankfurt
House of Labour
Eschersheimer Landstraße 155-157
60323 Frankfurt am Main | Germany