Goethe Research Experience Programme (GREP)

Welcome to the Goethe Research Experience Programme!

The Goethe Research Experience Programme 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 profile areas of research. 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.



GREP at a Glance

2-6 months research visit with the possibility to gain credit points

Optional 3 weeks intensive German language course at Goethe-Institute Frankfurt
English as working language

Exclusive orientation programme, social activities and excursions in and around the city of Frankfurt

Individual mentoring and supervision by research professionals from GU

Personal advice on visa application, mandatory insurance etc. by the Global Office


GREP-Scholarship

We award fellows of the programme with a GREP-scholarship including: 

  • Accommodation in private student residence (full coverage of rent)
  • Additional travel allowance (partial subsidy of travel costs up to € 1.000)
  • Free intensive German language course
  • Free access to public transport and museums
  • Fee 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)

Find out how to Apply!

Six steps for a successful application:

1. Check if you are eligible for the Goethe Research Experience Programme.

2. Read up about the key programme information (dates, costs and preconditions etc.)

3. Check out the GREP project database for participating research projects

4. Get nominated by a prosepective research supervisior at GU

5. Inform us about your nomination and initiate the application process

6. Talk to your study programme manager at your home university about your participation in the programme and pre-approval for transfer credit



Research Details

GREP offers three research options:

1. Students can pursue an individual research project, e.g. in preparation for their final thesis (2-3 months).

2. Students from natural and life sciences can complete a laboratory visit as part of a mandatory elective module in specific degree programmes at GU (2-3 months).

3. Students can also 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 below:

Molecular & Translational Medicine

  • CPI: Cardio-Pulmonary Institute
  • EMTHERA: Emerging Therapeutic Strategies against Infections, Inflammation and Impaired Immune Mechanisms

Structure & Dynamics of Life

  • SCALE: SubCellular Architecture of LifE. From Macromolecules to Complex Biological Systems

Space, Time & Matter

  • ELEMENTS: Exploring the Universe from Microscopic to Macroscopic Scales

Orders & Transformations

  • ConTrust: Trust in Conflict – Political Life under Conditions of Uncertainty

Universality & Diversiy

  • Dynamics of Religion: Processes of Comprehension, Misapprehension, and Mutual Understanding

Sustainability & Biodiversity

  • RobustNature: Robustness and Resilience of Nature‐Society Systems in the evolving Anthropocen

Study 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 programmes:

1. M.Sc. Interdisciplinary Neuroscience

2. M.Sc. Environmental Science

3. M.Sc. Molecular Medicine



Programme  Dates

Winter Semester 2023/24

Application Deadline: rolling admission

Admission: within 4-6 weeks

Research visits: October 2023 until March 2024

The exact dates and duration of the research visit can be arranged individually!

Welcome days: one week prior to your reserch

Language course: 2-3 weeks prior to your research visit

Summer Semester 2024

Application Deadline: October 15th, 2023

Admission: within 4-6 weeks

Research visits: April 2024 until September 2024

The exact dates and duration of the research visit can be arranged individually!

Welcome days: one week prior to your research stay

Language course: 2-3 weeks prior to your research visit


Application Process

The application follows in two steps:

STEP 1 

  1. Check the GREP website for application requirements and deadlines
  2. Choose a research project of your interest from the GREP project database
  3. Get in contact with the responsible person for the reserach project to find an academic supervisor for your research visit (e.g. by writing an e-mail and stating your research interest and motivation for the project)
  4. Get nominated for the GREP-scholarship by your prospective supervisor. He/She needs to confirm your nomination via e-mail 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 is a capacity to supervise your research stay.

STEP 2

  1. After your nomination, we will send you a link to the online application form. 
  2. 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.
  3. Prepare your documents as indicated below and upload them on the application platform Mobility Online.

Application Documents

  • Letter of Motivation
  • CV
  • BA Certificate
  • Current Transcript of Records
  • Student Enrollment Certificate
  • Photo

Important Notes

  1. If you have any question feel free to contact us!
  2. Please consider the current deadline for winter semester 23/24: rolling
  3. Late or incomplete applications will not be considered.
  4. Admissions and scholarship confirmations will be sent within 4-6 weeks
  5. 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.

Check your eligibility!

Admission Criteria

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

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

​Learn German in Germany!

Language Requirements

The programme language and student support is provided in English.

German language skills are not necessary for the acceptance into the programm. 

However GREP-scholars can apply for a German intensive language course at the Goethe Institute in Frankfurt.


The German Intensive Course starts 2-3 weeks prior to your research stay.



Transfer your credits home!

Credit & Assessment

Students are going to write a paper, give a presentation, and receive a final grade for the successful completion of the programme.

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, which 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 – i.e. practical work, individual research, written report, presentation etc. 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.


Private Student Residence

Accomodation

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

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

GREP cooperates with the following private housing services in Frankfurt am Main:

We Rooms

Apartments and flat shares for young professionals in private houses across Frankfurt.

My Liverty

Student residence with private or double apartments. In walking distance to Campus Riedberg and direct tram connection to Campus Westend.

Neon Wood

Student residence with private apartments. In walking distance to Campus Riedberg and direct tram connection to Campus Westend.


Get started!

Orientation Programme

Kick-off Event: A central information and networking event will facilitate the start and orientation of the project phase.

Orientation Days: various events and social activities during the first programme week for research students: Frankfurt city tour, intercultural training, networking events etc.

Framework programme: programme participants can also join the activities organised by the Buddy Programme and "Internationaler Studientreff", an orientation and support programme for international students.


Connect with other students!

Buddy Programme

The Goethe Buddy Programme supports you while you settle in Frankfurt!

Your advantages for participation are:

  1. support when you arrive (e.g. s.o. 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, arrange health insurance)
  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)


Discover the University Campus!

Welcome to Goethe University


GREP at a Glance

2-6 months research visit with the possibility to gain credit points

Optional 3 weeks intensive German language course at Goethe-Institute Frankfurt
English as working language

Exclusive orientation programme, social activities and excursions in and around the city of Frankfurt

Individual mentoring and supervision by research professionals from GU

Personal advice on visa application, mandatory insurance etc. by the Global Office


GREP-Scholarship

We award fellows of the programme with a GREP-scholarship including: 

  • Accommodation in private student residence (full coverage of rent)
  • Additional travel allowance (partial subsidy of travel costs up to € 1.000)
  • Free intensive German language course
  • Free access to public transport and museums
  • Fee 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)

Find out how to Apply!

Six steps for a successful application:

1. Check if you are eligible for the Goethe Research Experience Programme.

2. Read up about the key programme information (dates, costs and preconditions etc.)

3. Check out the GREP project database for participating research projects

4. Get nominated by a prosepective research supervisior at GU

5. Inform us about your nomination and initiate the application process

6. Talk to your study programme manager at your home university about your participation in the programme and pre-approval for transfer credit



Research Details

GREP offers three research options:

1. Students can pursue an individual research project, e.g. in preparation for their final thesis (2-3 months).

2. Students from natural and life sciences can complete a laboratory visit as part of a mandatory elective module in specific degree programmes at GU (2-3 months).

3. Students can also 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 below:

Molecular & Translational Medicine

  • CPI: Cardio-Pulmonary Institute
  • EMTHERA: Emerging Therapeutic Strategies against Infections, Inflammation and Impaired Immune Mechanisms

Structure & Dynamics of Life

  • SCALE: SubCellular Architecture of LifE. From Macromolecules to Complex Biological Systems

Space, Time & Matter

  • ELEMENTS: Exploring the Universe from Microscopic to Macroscopic Scales

Orders & Transformations

  • ConTrust: Trust in Conflict – Political Life under Conditions of Uncertainty

Universality & Diversiy

  • Dynamics of Religion: Processes of Comprehension, Misapprehension, and Mutual Understanding

Sustainability & Biodiversity

  • RobustNature: Robustness and Resilience of Nature‐Society Systems in the evolving Anthropocen

Study 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 programmes:

1. M.Sc. Interdisciplinary Neuroscience

2. M.Sc. Environmental Science

3. M.Sc. Molecular Medicine



Programme  Dates

Winter Semester 2023/24

Application Deadline: rolling admission

Admission: within 4-6 weeks

Research visits: October 2023 until March 2024

The exact dates and duration of the research visit can be arranged individually!

Welcome days: one week prior to your reserch

Language course: 2-3 weeks prior to your research visit

Summer Semester 2024

Application Deadline: October 15th, 2023

Admission: within 4-6 weeks

Research visits: April 2024 until September 2024

The exact dates and duration of the research visit can be arranged individually!

Welcome days: one week prior to your research stay

Language course: 2-3 weeks prior to your research visit


Application Process

The application follows in two steps:

STEP 1 

  1. Check the GREP website for application requirements and deadlines
  2. Choose a research project of your interest from the GREP project database
  3. Get in contact with the responsible person for the reserach project to find an academic supervisor for your research visit (e.g. by writing an e-mail and stating your research interest and motivation for the project)
  4. Get nominated for the GREP-scholarship by your prospective supervisor. He/She needs to confirm your nomination via e-mail 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 is a capacity to supervise your research stay.

STEP 2

  1. After your nomination, we will send you a link to the online application form. 
  2. 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.
  3. Prepare your documents as indicated below and upload them on the application platform Mobility Online.

Application Documents

  • Letter of Motivation
  • CV
  • BA Certificate
  • Current Transcript of Records
  • Student Enrollment Certificate
  • Photo

Important Notes

  1. If you have any question feel free to contact us!
  2. Please consider the current deadline for winter semester 23/24: rolling
  3. Late or incomplete applications will not be considered.
  4. Admissions and scholarship confirmations will be sent within 4-6 weeks
  5. 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.

Check your eligibility!

Admission Criteria

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

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

​Learn German in Germany!

Language Requirements

The programme language and student support is provided in English.

German language skills are not necessary for the acceptance into the programm. 

However GREP-scholars can apply for a German intensive language course at the Goethe Institute in Frankfurt.


The German Intensive Course starts 2-3 weeks prior to your research stay.



Transfer your credits home!

Credit & Assessment

Students are going to write a paper, give a presentation, and receive a final grade for the successful completion of the programme.

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, which 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 – i.e. practical work, individual research, written report, presentation etc. 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.


Private Student Residence

Accomodation

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

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

GREP cooperates with the following private housing services in Frankfurt am Main:

We Rooms

Apartments and flat shares for young professionals in private houses across Frankfurt.

My Liverty

Student residence with private or double apartments. In walking distance to Campus Riedberg and direct tram connection to Campus Westend.

Neon Wood

Student residence with private apartments. In walking distance to Campus Riedberg and direct tram connection to Campus Westend.


Get started!

Orientation Programme

Kick-off Event: A central information and networking event will facilitate the start and orientation of the project phase.

Orientation Days: various events and social activities during the first programme week for research students: Frankfurt city tour, intercultural training, networking events etc.

Framework programme: programme participants can also join the activities organised by the Buddy Programme and "Internationaler Studientreff", an orientation and support programme for international students.


Connect with other students!

Buddy Programme

The Goethe Buddy Programme supports you while you settle in Frankfurt!

Your advantages for participation are:

  1. support when you arrive (e.g. s.o. 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, arrange health insurance)
  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)


Discover the University Campus!

Welcome to Goethe University


Contact

Programme Management
Leonora Juergens

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

Programme Administration
Lisa Pfeiffer

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