2026 Grant Competition of the Joint “Rustaveli–DAAD” Fellowship Programme of the Shota Rustaveli National Science Foundation of Georgia and the German Academic Exchange Service
Call Title
Grant Competition of the Joint “Rustaveli–DAAD” Fellowship Programme of the Shota Rustaveli National Science Foundation of Georgia and the German Academic Exchange Service
Abbreviation: Rustaveli–DAAD
Objective of the Call
The aim of the grant competition is to support young researchers and doctoral candidates in:
a) conducting scientific research and obtaining high-quality doctoral education;
b) developing scientific networks with German colleagues through the exchange of research experience and enhancement of international mobility processes;
c) strengthening scientific collaboration in thematic or interdisciplinary fields.
Type of Application: Individual
Main Conditions of the Competition:
Within the framework of the grant competition, projects are funded that involve research stays at higher education institutions and/or research institutes in Germany:
- a) For young researchers – duration of the fellowship: from 2 to 6 months;
b) For doctoral candidates – duration of the fellowship: 3 months;
c) For doctoral candidates enrolled in joint doctoral programmes – duration of the fellowship: 6 months.
The research stay must be carried out within the period from June 1 to November 30, 2026.
The grant competition covers the following scientific fields according to the DAAD classification:
- a) Languages and Cultural Studies;
b) Law, Economics, and Social Sciences;
c) Mathematics and Natural Sciences;
d) Medicine;
e) Veterinary Medicine, Forestry, Ecology, Agricultural and Food Sciences;
f) Engineering;
g) Arts, Music, and Sports Sciences.
Application Documentation
The application package consists of two parts:
• Documents to be uploaded to the DAAD electronic portal;
• Documents to be completed in the Foundation’s Grant Management Unified System (GMUS) and submitted to the Foundation’s Chancellery.
Materials and Annexes Required for Proposal Preparation:
• Call Terms of References (Annex No. 1) – in Georgian;
• Project Summary (Annex No. 2, template) – in Georgian, to be completed in GMUS during project registration;
• Research Project (Annex No. 3) – in Georgian, to be uploaded to GMUS as a PDF document;
• Project Budget (Annex No. 4, template) – in Georgian, to be completed in GMUS;
• Application Form for Participation (Annex No. 5, template) – in Georgian, generated from GMUS after project registration;
• Consultation Presentation;
• Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ).
Competition Administration Timeline:
• Announcement of the joint call by the Foundation in agreement with DAAD;
- Project registration:
o On the DAAD electronic portal – from March 31, 2026, until April 15, 2026, 23:00;
o In GMUS – from March 31, 2026, until April 15, 2026, 17:00;
- Submission of the Application Form for Participation (Annex No. 5) to the Foundation’s Chancellery – no later than April 15, 2026, 17:00;
- Technical evaluation of submitted projects and compliance check with the competition requirements – April 2026;
- Evaluation of eligible projects – April-May 2026;
- Selection of winning projects by the Foundation and DAAD – May 2026;
- Grant agreement signing and funding – May-June 2026.
Regulatory Documents:
Order N62/n of the Minister of Education and Science of Georgia, dated April 6, 2017;
Order №382458 of the Director General of the Foundation, dated March 31, 2026.
Online links for informational meetings:
April 2, 2026, 4:00 PM -
April 3, 2026, 4:00 PM -
https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/43101671068251?p=ba99NnhZEyVnM85b0p
April 7, 2026, 4:00 PM -
April 8, 2026, 4:00 PM -
https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/4604390625470?p=mDumxeCPPWhVS4Q2SG
April 14, 2026, 2:00 PM -
For information related to the call, please contact:
DAAD Georgia / Tbilisi Regional Office:
Nino Antadze
Email: antadze@daad.de
Inga Kazarian
Email: kazarian@daad.de
Tel.: (+995 32) 2 920 926
Shota Rustaveli National Science Foundation of Georgia:
Mariam Betsiashvili
Tel.: (+995 32) 2 200 220 (4301)
Natia Papava
Tel.: (+995 32) 2 200 220 (4406)
Email: daad@rustaveli.org.ge
Individual consultations will not be provided.
The Foundation wishes you success!
