FOSTER - Funds for Student Research
The Funds for Student Research (FOSTER) program is part of the Excellence Strategy "TUD 2028 - Synergy and beyond" (EXU focus TALENT). FOSTER promotes student research and gives it visibility.
| Note: This year's FOSTER call for proposals has been open since June 02, 2025. This year's call is under the thematic focus FOSTER.AI. Please note that this year only projects with a duration between January and December 2026 (with cash expenditure until November 2026) can be considered. Further information on the call can be found on the official call homepage. |
The aims of FOSTER
- Introducing students to research and scientific specialist cultures
- Strengthening interdisciplinarity
- Establishing university-wide incentive structures for student research
- Rewarding the commitment of teaching staff to student research projects
- Attracting excellent early-career researchers
We offer financial and non-material support for
TUD students who are enthusiastic about research and want to carry out their own research projects, organize (student) research conferences or participate in research conferences and competitions with their research results.
Teachers and early-career researchers at TUD who would like to initiate teaching-learning formats to strengthen student research or accompany student research projects and need resources and support to do so.
Eligible projects
The FOSTER program currently has the following funding lines:
FOSTER promotes participation in student research competitions for TU Dresden.
FOSTER supports student events for student research at TU Dresden. One particular example is the StuFoExpo.
FOSTER promotes the implementation of student research activities at TU Dresden.
FOSTER promotes participation in conferences and congresses.
FOSTER promotes research-oriented teaching and learning activities at TU Dresden (support for formats such as modules, summer schools, tutorials, projects, simulation games, etc.).
On our pages you will find further information on how to apply and a detailed overview of all funded projects. Feel free to click through and be amazed at the diversity of student research at TU Dresden.
Feel free to contact us for further project ideas. You can reach us at .
Ideal funding with FOSTER
FOSTER supports student research not only financially but also in terms of professional development. Workshops are offered exclusively for funded students - for example on academic writing or project management. Our partners for further training courses are currently the Writing Center and the Center for Key Competencies.
In addition, several networking meetings take place throughout the year and our OPAL group also enables exciting exchanges across the boundaries of different departments. Teachers are also advised on the creation and development of didactic concepts for their teaching and learning formats in an annual workshop.
Current further education offers for students
Stress-free project success!
05.06.2025 I 9.00-12.00 a.m. | Fritz-Foerster-Bau, FOE-101
Lecturer: Antonia Freesemann
Click here to register
ATTENTION: These workshops are aimed exclusively at FOSTER-funded students!
Your contact person
© TUD | Michael Kretzschmar
Research Associate
NameDr. Franziska Schulze-Stocker
Funds for Student Research (FOSTER)
Send encrypted email via the SecureMail portal (for TUD external users only).
FOSTER is funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) and the Free State of Saxony as part of the Excellence Strategy of the Federal and State governments.