A selected group of outstanding researchers from the industry with a strong connection to TUM Research Groups will become Rudolf Diesel Industry Fellows of the TUM-IAS. The Fellowship includes the status of a Temporary Affiliated Professor at TUM. The selection is based on a joint proposal by the applicant and the TUM Host professor.

This Fellowship is named after Rudolf Diesel (1858-1913), who was a TUM student with Professor Carl von Linde. In 1897 Diesel invented the combustion principle named after him.

TUM-IAS awards up to two Rudolf Diesel Industry Fellowships each year. The Fellowships last three years. Throughout the affiliation period, the Rudolf Diesel Industry Fellows may offer special courses and lectures in their field of expertise to enhance the connection between the university and industry. Fellows are expected to develop an intensive collaboration with their hosting Focus Group, to participate in TUM-IAS programs and events, and to organize activities such as a workshop, public talks, or speakers' series in order to contribute to the intellectual life of the Institute and the university.

The TUM-IAS expects the company of the Fellow to support the connection of their researcher to academia by continuing to pay his/her salary. The Fellow receives a €20,000 award from TUM‑IAS plus max. €50,000 for travel and research related costs. Fellows will be given a maximum degree of freedom as to how they utilize these funds (within bounds set by funding agencies; the funds are administered by the TUM‑IAS). In addition, Rudolf Diesel Industry Fellows receive support for one doctoral candidate at TUM (TV-L E 13 position (max. 75%) for three years), who will be co-advised by the TUM Host professor and the Rudolf Diesel Industry Fellow. Rudolf Diesel Industry Fellows have the right to award doctorates (Promotionsrecht).The doctoral work should be performed mainly during the Fellowship time, therefore the search and hiring process of a candidate should be accomplished within six months after the starting date of the Fellowship. TUM-IAS may also consider equivalents, such as assistantships or a limited post-doc position, within the same financial framework.

• The Deans of TUM Faculties, all further members of the “Erweitertes Hochschulpräsidium (EHP)”and members of the TUM-IAS Board of Trustees can directly nominate candidates for TUM‑IAS Fellowships (any member of the university community can propose, but the nomination must be channeled through the Dean of the hosting Faculty or the Director of the hosting Institute).

• Applications should consist of
  • a nomination letter including a description of the facilities provided for the Fellow by the TUM Host institute,
  • a CV including a list of publications,
  • a statement of purpose jointly signed by the candidate and the hosting professor, describing the content of the joint research, its innovative potential and the concrete implementation plans (budget), including any planned events to enhance the Institute's intellectual environment,
  • a letter of nomination from the Dean of the hosting faculty or another member of the EHP or Board of Trustees.
• Calls will be published once a year. Normally the deadline for submission is May 1st and decisions will be mailed by October 15th. Please send nominations directly to the TUM-IAS office.