German: DAAD 'Young Ambassadors' Program

Hello all, Chris here. Fellow German teachers, today I would like to share a recent bit of news I received from AATG and DAAD regarding the 'Young Ambassadors' program. There is also the newer 'Research Ambassadors' program. These are great programs and opportunities for your students so please help spread the word in your upcoming courses. Please read on for a detailed description of the program:

"Since 2005, DAAD New York has been operating its highly successful "Young Ambassadors" program, consisting of recently-returned undergraduate students who have studied in Germany are willing and excited to promote Germany as a study and research destination on their campuses. In an effort to assemble a similar cadre of informed and enthusiastic experts and advisers on higher-level research opportunities in Germany, DAAD New York launched its Research Ambassadors program last year. After a very successful first year, we are pleased to announce the call for applications for the second round of Research Ambassadors.

DAAD Research Ambassadors' primary role is to inform students and researchers in the USA and Canada about Germany as a research destination and to foster collaborations with German colleagues. They are a group of scholars and scientists committed to a wide range of activities to promote research in Germany, from providing information, mentoring, participating in panel discussions or information fairs, to being available to answer questions via email, hosting information events, etc.

Requirements

Eligible applicants:

-have completed a total of at least 10 months conducting research in Germany at the doctoral level or above;
-are familiar with the current research landscape in Germany for their respective discipline;
-are willing and able to attend the DAAD Research Ambassadors Training Workshop in New York City, from the evening of Thursday, August 19 until mid-day on Saturday, August 21.

Scholars and scientists from all disciplines are invited to apply.

Priority will be given to former recipients of DAAD grants and scholarships (i.e. DAAD Alumni), but other "Germany Alumni" will be accepted, including German nationals who studied in Germany but are now living in the US or Canada.

Responsibilities

The main responsibility of a DAAD Research Ambassador is to promote research opportunities in Germany in his/her professional community, university or organization, and discipline. This can take the form of:

-Contacting departmental chairs and senior administration officers to share information about study and research opportunities in Germany, including DAAD grants and other organizations' funding programs.

-Arranging an informational meeting on campus each academic year for students in their department and/or prospective applicants to DAAD programs.

-Providing advice and support to students and researchers interested in pursuing academic activities in Germany in his/her field from any university or institution in the US or Canada - and potentially doing the same for German DAAD grantees currently studying in North America.

Once selected, short biographies and photos of the DAAD Research Ambassadors will be posted to www.daad.org and www.alumni.daad.org so that interested parties can contact them with questions about research in specific fields in Germany.

At the end of each academic year, each Research Ambassador submits a short report to DAAD with any important contacts made and meetings organized. DAAD will include a short report form on the website to fill out.

Research Ambassador terms are for one academic year, and can be renewed. The RA may also request a multiple-year term.

DAAD will make reimbursements available upon request to cover expenses related to production of promotional materials or for refreshments at meetings or informational events.

Application and Deadline

To download the application, please go to the following link:
http://www.daad.org/?p=ra-apply

Applications must be received by Tuesday June 22, 2010.

If you have any questions about the program or application process or if you need more time to prepare your application, please contact Ms. Amra Dumisic at dumisic@daad.org or (212) 758-3223 x211."