AICGS: FELLOWS : DAAD/AICGS Fellowship Frequently Asked Questions

I want to do research in Germany. Will the DAAD fellowship fund research in Germany/Europe?
The DAAD/AICGS Research Fellowship is for in-residence research at AICGS in Washington, DC. AICGS is unable to support research in Germany.

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I am not a U.S. or German national. Am I eligible for the DAAD/AICGS fellowship program?
Applicants must be of German or U.S. nationality.

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What's a J-1 visa? How do I get one?
The J-1 visa is designed to allow non-immigrants to come to the United States as an "exchange visitor" for teaching, study, research, consulting, or to receive special training. Any German national wishing to participate in the DAAD/AICGS fellowship program must have an exchange visitor (J-1) visa. If you are selected as a DAAD/AICGS fellow, we will provide the necessary materials for you to apply to a U.S. consulate or embassy to obtain a J-1 visa. For more detailed information on the procedure for obtaining a J-1 visa, please consult the U.S. Embassy in Germany (http://www.usembassy.de).

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I'm not sure whether my project fits within your guidelines? Should I apply?
The AICGS website (www.aicgs.org) provides extensive information on the AICGS mission, our programming areas and our current projects. This is your best guide to whether your project relates clearly to our mission and activities. In keeping with our mission and our Washington, D.C. location, we are particularly interested in projects that have a clear German-American or transatlantic connection and are relevant to public policy issues in the United States or Europe.

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Is there an application form?
No, there is no formal application form for you to fill out. A complete application consists of a cover letter, a c.v., a proposal of a project proposal (5-7 pages, double-spaced) outlining in clear, concise terms the substantive thrust of the research and its relevance to the AICGS mission, and the reasons for carrying it out at AICGS; and two letters of reference (for those pursuing a Ph.D. and recent - within past 5 years - Ph.D.s only). Your referees may prefer to send letters of reference under separate cover; that is acceptable, but ALL materials must be received by AICGS by the given deadlines to be considered for fellowships in the specified time periods.

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Will you consider late applications?
We will only consider complete applications that are submitted by the deadline. If some or all of your materials arrive after the deadline, please consider applying by the next available deadline for a fellowship in a later period.

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What determines the level of the stipend?
The level of the stipend is determined by seniority and experience. Successful applicants will be informed of the amount of their stipend with the official offer letter.

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Can I apply to stay longer than two months at AICGS?
Can I apply for a shorter research stay than two months? The program is designed to bring fellows to Washington, D.C. for a period of two months, which allows researchers enough time to settle all logistic arrangements and undertake significant research. AICGS offers an additional Visiting Fellows program, and fellows looking to stay longer than two months are encouraged to inquire about this opportunity.

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Who selects the DAAD fellows?
Applications are reviewed by an in-house selection committee according to specified criteria and in consultation with DAAD.

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If I'm selected as a fellow, will AICGS find me a place to live in Washington, DC?
AICGS staff will provide prospective fellows useful information on the housing market and housing possibilities in the Washington, DC, metropolitan area, but all fellows are responsible for making their own housing arrangements.

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What is required of me as a DAAD/AICGS research fellow?
All AICGS/DAAD fellows are required to write an analytical essay (approximately 1500-2000 words) on a topic related to their research. Additionally, select fellows will present the results of their research to a public policy and academic audience in a seminar at the Institute, depending on the fellow's respective topic and stage of research. All fellows are required to write a very brief summary of their project for inclusion on the AICGS website and the electronic newsletter. Finally, we encourage fellows to make extensive use of the research sources and information in Washington, but ask that fellows spend sufficient time in the Institute to facilitate their integration into the life of the AICGS and its activities.

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May I undertake research trips outside of Washington while serving as an DAAD/AICGS fellow? Potential research trips by the DAAD/AICGS fellow while at AICGS need to be discussed with AICGS staff prior to making arrangements.

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Do I need to apply for a Social Security Number?
All foreigners receiving a stipend from a U.S. institution must have a social security number. All DAAD/AICGS fellows will be given information upon their arrival on how to apply for a social security number.

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Will taxes be withheld from my stipend?
The IRS will not withhold taxes for U.S. citizens. U.S. nationals receiving DAAD/AICGS fellowships will be responsible for declaring their income when filing tax returns. German citizens typically will not have taxes withheld from their stipends if they have applied for or already have a social security number, due to a bilateral tax treaty between the U.S. and Germany. German citizens are expected, however, to declare their income when filing their German tax returns.

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How will stipend payments be made?
Stipend payments are made twice a month (the 15th and the last of the month) by check. It is recommended that fellows open a U.S. bank account in order to deposit their checks. Fellows are expected to finance expenses incurred during their first two to four weeks from personal resources, as stipend advances typically cannot be made.

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How long can I stay in the United States after my visa expires?
Typically J-1 visa holders must leave the United States no later than 10 days after their visa expires. The U.S. immigration officer at the point of entry will make a final determination.

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