The SECAI scholarship programs were created to support outstanding students during their studies or research visit connected to AI or a related field at TU Dresden or Leipzig University. AI is viewed as an interdisciplinary undertaking that requires talents in computer science, engineering, mathematics, social science, law, the natural sciences, and application areas such as medicine. SECAI offers residency scholarships, which cover living expenses in Germany to allow students to focus on their studies, kick-start their research career, and build their professional network, as well as mobility grants to foster international exchange.

The scholarships are mainly based on academic excellence, but also aims to improve internationalization and diversity in AI-related teaching programs. Women in STEM subjects are particularly encouraged to apply. Special personal circumstances are taken into account, for example if students are systematically disadvantaged or prosecuted in their home countries, or are refugees of war.

Target group

The primary objective of SECAI's scholarship program is to support highly qualified students as the next generation of AI talents during their AI studies at TU Dresden and Leipzig University:

1. Master students at TU Dresden or University Leipzig, primarily in the following study courses:
• Nanoelectronic Systems at TU Dresden,
• Tracks Computational Life Science, Logical Modelling, and AI Engineering of Computational Modelling and Simulation at TU Dresden,
• Data Science at Leipzig University,
• Bioinformatics at Leipzig University, and
• Medical Informatics at Leipzig University.
2. International students visiting a research group at TU Dresden or Leipzig University
3. Students at TU Dresden or University Leipzig visiting international partners, especially within other SECAI activities, e.g., Research in Academic Projects for Students (RAPS) and Research Experience for Undergraduates (REUs)

Who can apply?

Students can apply if they meet all of the following criteria:

• The content of their studies, chosen specialization, or topic of the project work planned under the scholarship is closely related to the research areas of SECAI.
• They are students in an Master program, or students in a Diplom program where they have successfully completed the first two years of Diplom studies (Grundstudium).
• They are students of TU Dresden or Leipzig University, or they are visiting a research group at TU Dresden or Leipzig University.
• They demonstrate an above-average academic track record, typically with a cumulative grade point average of 1.7 or better (after conversion to the German grading system). Exceptions may be made in case of adverse personal circumstances.

Application

Dedicated calls for applications for residency scholarships for Master students starting in Winter term of each year are availabe. Applications for these calls must be received by 19th May (first round) and 30th June (second round) of each year. Further details about the calls are available on their page.

Moreover, speculative applications are possible at any time: Please submit your complete application by sending it to secai-office@tu-dresden.de, preferably via the TU Dresden SecureMail Portal https://securemail.tu-dresden.de. Applications should include the following information and documents as pdf files:

• Motivation letter, including your topical connection to SECAI and AI
• CV
• Bachelor's certificate (if available), transcript of records, other certificates if relevant
• Declaration of other sources of income, including other scholarships
• If you have applied for admission to a Master program in parallel: reference number and submission date of your application
• Letter of recommondation by an Academic Fellow (if not current or prospective student of TU Dresden or Leipzig University)
• Requested duration of the scholarship

Duration of the funding

The funding is limited to the remaining duration of the recipient’s studies according to the model study plan (“Regelstudienzeit”) or to the duration of their stay at TU Dresden, Leipzig University, or an international partner. Shorter scholarship durations can be determined by the Selection Committee based on available budget and the specific study situation and progress of the candidate. The scholarship will end immediately if the prerequisites for receiving a scholarship are no longer satisfied.

Amount of the funding

The residency scholarship consists of a monthly allowance as defined in the applicable scholarship regulations, currently EUR 934. Any extra income must be declared, and the scholarship may be reduced by the amount of gross income exceeding EUR 520. Foreign students may be entitled to a monthly family allowance.

Moreover, SECAI offers mobility grants to support both incoming and outgoing exchanges of students with international partners. The amount of mobility grants depends on the country.