Fellowships

The Technische Universität München has established its Institute for Advanced Study (TUM‑IAS) with the goal of creating fields of excellence in the “Science of Technology”. As a comprehensive technical university, the TUM-IAS seeks to promote research in fields ranging from clinical technology to nano-devices, from global environmental systems to measurement systems for nuclear particles, including all the classical fields of Engineering, many of which are strongly influenced by modern science. The TUM-IAS awards Fellowships to distinguished researchers and gives them the necessary time and financial support to explore new venues, to develop novel research areas and to establish intensive international collaborations.

Carl von Linde Senior Fellowships for excellent TUM faculty members Carl von Linde Junior Fellowships for promising postdoctorates at TUM Hans Fischer Senior Fellowships for renowned international senior scientistsHans Fischer Junior Fellowshipsfor outstanding early career scholarsHans Fischer Tenure Track Fellowshipsfor outstanding scholars on a tenure track Rudolf Diesel Industry Fellowships for highly qualified researchers from industry

The main program at TUM-IAS is the Fellowship program, summarized in the following picture:

The Fellowships offered by TUM-IAS can be grouped into six categories. With these programs, TUM-IAS seeks to attract scholarly talent on senior- and early career-level both from inside of TUM and from around the globe, as well as researchers from the industry. Details about each type of Fellow are given in the following pages.

Focus Groups

The innovative research TUM-IAS Fellows engage in does not usually happen in a vacuum. Fellows are typically part of research units at TUM. Those, who work on experimental or design topics participate in the activities of TUM laboratories. Fellows either provide leadership to institutes, research units or laboratories (in the case of Carl von Linde Senior Fellows) or are prominent guests at those. These collaborations are promoted via Focus Groups, which form the local, topical and organizational units of the TUM-IAS.

TUM-IAS Focus Groups can be organized and led by a Carl von Linde Senior Fellow or a TUM professor who is not necessarily a TUM-IAS Fellow. These non-fellow group leaders are called “TUM-IAS Hosts”. Hosts are closely integrated into the TUM-IAS program and derive specific benefits from being Focus Group leaders (in particular access to the “Start up Fund” – see the detailed section on “Focus Groups” further on). In the same spirit, most TUM-IAS Fellowships provide for collateral PhD stipends, substitute mentors and assistantships. In general, these persons are then also members of the relevant Focus Group and of TUM-IAS. Focus Groups have a special status in the TUM-IAS organization, and are described in a separate section later on in this document.

Visiting (and Associate) Fellowships

The TUM-IAS awards the title of “TUM-IAS Visiting Fellow” (or equivalently “TUM-IAS Associate Fellow” if needed) to distinguished short-term visitors (one week to two months) from outside TUM, who have a great international reputation as scientists or engineers and, who have the intention to engage in a short-term, but intensive collaboration with researchers at the Institute.

Alexander von Humboldt Awardees

Alexander von Humboldt Awardees automatically become members of the TUM-IAS. They provide for very much appreciated new ideas and strengthening of the scientific work at TUM. At TUM-IAS they find a natural environment where they can merge smoothly into the scientific proceedings of our university. A Memorandum of Understanding between the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation and the TUM-IAS was signed on May 7, 2009 to promote the integration of Humboldt Awardees in the TUM-IAS.

Further General Information for all Fellowships

The following is a summary of some general items that apply to all categories of Fellows:

• In order to enhance successful nominations, a preliminary discussion with the TUM‑IAS office is highly recommended.
• Age limits: For the Junior categories (Carl von Linde Junior, Hans Fischer Junior and Hans Fischer Tenure Track Fellowships) the formal age limit is 35 (allowance can be made for special circumstances like maternity leave or substantial changes in career.) For Hans Fischer Senior and Carl von Linde Senior Fellows the formal age limit is 65. Visiting Fellow nominations carry no age limit.
• If the plan is for a Fellowship to begin on a date other than in the following October, the intended start date should be included in the proposal materials.
• Fellowships are awarded by the TUM-IAS director based on consultation with experts in the field and advice from the TUM-IAS Advisory Council. An independent peer-review process (the so called Delphi process) is used to select the Carl von Linde Junior Fellows.
• All Fellows are “embedded” in the Faculty to which their Host belongs, and receive all the benefits, accommodation and honors the respective Faculty provides to its guest scientists.
• TUM-IAS has an IPR agreement/concept that covers mutual IPR rights and duties in the cooperation between TUM and the company or university of the Fellow, via the research unit he/she is participating in. The agreement is in accordance with the purposes of the Fellowship. These purposes aim at the expansion of the mutual scientific and technological knowledge base for the benefit of both parties and the enhancement of the cooperation between research groups at TUM and research groups at other universities or companies. The IPR agreements are typically dealt with on a case-by-case basis.
• The TUM-IAS seeks to recruit top women scientists and will provide extra funding for Start-up costs for the Fellow as well as for the TUM hosting professor. Female Fellows in all categories are eligible for an additional female PhD stipend (or equivalent). Focus Groups who already have appointed a female doctoral candidate are eligible for an additional one.
• TUM-IAS funds doctoral candidates either by paying a stipend or a TV-L E 13 position (max. 75%) for 3 years.
• All doctoral candidates that are financed by the TUM-IAS are associated to the TUM International Graduate School of Science and Engineering (IGSSE).
• Fellows will be provided office space in the TUM-IAS building in Garching depending on needs and possibilities. Also Postdoc researchers and doctoral candidates connected to Fellows may be accommodated.
• TUM-IAS will provide assistance to all non-Munich based Fellows in search of accommodation for themselves or their family.
• The TUM-IAS recognizes the challenges scientists, who are also parents, may face. Flexible funding is available to facilitate the extra needs of Fellows with children.

Responsibilities of Fellows

As TUM-IAS wants to foster an active community of scientists based on dialogue and communication, it does expect a few direct contributions from its Fellows and Hosts. For clarity purposes these are succinctly formulated as follows:

• Participation in the activities of the Institute including Fellows’ Lunches, the General Assembly, TUM-IAS lectures, and the kick-off dinner.
• Fellows are expected to participate in TUM-IAS programs and events and organize activities such as a workshop, public talk, or speakers' series in order to contribute to the intellectual life of the Institute and the University.
• Holding an inaugural lecture organized by the hosting Focus Group.
• Acknowledgment of the (partial) support from TUM-IAS in publications, including articles, books, posters, PowerPoint presentations, etc.. Publications that are made in the context of a TUM-IAS Fellowship must include the following statement in either German or English:

• The TUM-IAS generates an annual report and a magazine on the research activities of the Institute. Active Fellows are expected to provide text and graphic material on their research activities to be included in the publications.
• Including the TUM-IAS logo on posters, PowerPoint presentations, etc. when appropriate.
• Providing data for the TUM-IAS webpage including research interests, publications, and upcoming events and workshops for their Focus Group.
• TUM-IAS operations and funding decisions are primarily based on the rules of the German Research Foundation (DFG). On the TUM-IAS webpage Fellows can find a FAQ list (including general financial and administrative questions) which is intended to be a helpful guideline for the preparation of reimbursement requests. In particular, repayment requests have to be made within six months, and preferable as early as possible.
• Public outreach is offered through our cooperation with the Deutsches Museum in Munich.