FOSTER - Funds for Student Research

Funding is only available for non-personnel resources (Sachmittel). Funding for student assistant / research assistant positions is not provided.

Yes, but the applications must differ content-wise.

When publications are funded by FOSTER, a review of the intended journal with regard to reliability must be carried out by SLUB (Open Access ). Please inform us about the result of the review.

Please proceed as follows:

• Step: We review the application to see if funding can be provided.
• Step: If this is the case, the applicant must have the journal reviewed by the SLUB. The applicant submits the result to us.
• Step: If the journal is reputable, the funding notification can be sent.

International Travelling

For international travel, please orientate yourself with reference to the maximum limit for refunding according to the General Administrative Regulation on the New Determination of Foreign Daily Allowances and Foreign Overnight Allowances (ARVVwV) .
Furthermore, travel expenses can only be reimbursed on the basis of receipts.

Vaccinations at conferences

Costs for vaccinations can be reimbursed if the vaccinations are necessary for the foreign business trips and are not covered by the health insurance. Proof of the need for vaccination must be submitted.

Travel expenses 

Travel by train, bus, car or plane must be documented with receipts.

Accommodation

Accommodation expenses incurred by students may be reimbursed upon submission of receipts. The maximum amount is the flat rate regulated by the Travel Expenses Regulations of TU Dresden.

Hospitality for students

Catering costs will be reimbursed upon proof of appropriate receipts. The maximum limit for reimbursement is the amount regulated by the Catering Allowance of TU Dresden (daily allowance).

For projects spanning several years, please note that the funding amount for the respective calendar year must be adhered to. It is not possible to carry over unspent funds to the following year.
Please refer to the financial calculation template available to you, in which the planned expenditure of the funding must be indicated on an annual basis.

Furthermore, the funds must be spent  with effect and in a project-related way not later than two months after the end of the funding period.

At the end of the funding period, a final report and final expenditure report must be submitted within eight weeks.
Use the following documents for this purpose: Final Report, FOSTER Accounting.

Note: For the final expenditure report, if you have already used it to apply, you can also use the financial calculation document provided by us.

No funding will be provided for:

• Basic equipment given institutionally
• Student assistant/Reseach assistant jobs in combination with final thesis
• Cell phone contracts abroad
• Print and correction costs of final theses
• Food lump sum of research stays > 10 days
• Train journeys included in the student ticket
• Devices such as iPads, computer, etc. which can be used for other causes after the funding period (these devices can only be rented for the duration of the funding period)

The duration of the application review depends on the quality and completeness of the application and the attached documents and is therefore highly individual. This also influences the date of receipt of the funding decision or the rejection of your application.

On average, eight weeks elapses from the receipt of the application to the eventual receipt of the funding decision (for projects < 5,000 €). According to our experience, the time span depends on how quickly documents and additions requested by us are submitted.

If you apply through the Call for FOSTER, please calculate a processing time of at least three months, as the application review process is more complex. Again, the sooner you submit requested documents and supplements, the sooner you can start your project if it is funded.