DAAD Prize at TH Köln

The awarding of the DAAD Prize for outstanding achievements of international students and doctoral candidates, endowed with 1,000 EUR, intends to "give faces to the many international students at German universities and to link them with stories. This illustrates that each international student takes a piece of Germany back to their homeland when they return and also leaves something of themselves in Germany - thus enriching both sides." (DAAD)

The award winners are exemplary of their fellow students from all over the world. In the future, they are important partners for Germany in business, politics and science.

Furthermore, the award demonstrates to a larger public the enrichment international students are for the university community, as well as for civil society.

Faculty members, staff, and fellow students of TH Köln may nominate suitable candidates.

You may nominate students and doctoral candidates who

• show outstanding academic achievements,
• are socially and/or interculturally active,
• have foreign educational certificates* and do not have German citizenship,
• are pursuing a degree at TH Köln (nomination of guest or exchange students is not possible),
• are in at least their 3rd semester (Bachelor’s) or 2nd semester (Master’s), are recent graduates (whose degree was awarded no more than 3 months prior to the selection date), or are doctoral candidates.

*International students who have acquired their higher education entrance qualification abroad or who have supplemented school qualifications acquired abroad through a German preparatory course.

Documents required for a nomination

• Letter of recommendation from a university staff member showing commitment on an academic and social, societal or intercultural level,
• Current curriculum vitae,
• Current transcript of records,
• Current immatriculation certificate or proof of recent graduation,
• Proof(s) of voluntary commitment,
• Proof(s) of special challenges (care obligations, impairments, etc.).

Please submit the documents as one PDF to lis.ohlsen@th-koeln.de until May 31, 2026. 

A selection committee consisting of representatives of the Presidency, faculty members, employees of the Department of International Affairs and members of the student body will decide upon the award winner.

The DAAD Prize will be awarded at the Welcome Reception for international (PhD-)students and scholars in the City Hall at the beginning of the winter semester on October 09, 2026.