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.

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Note: Since June 02, 2025, this year's FOSTER call for projects between 5,000 EUR and 25,000 EUR is open.
The 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

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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:

RESEARCHCHALLENGE PARTICIPATION

FOSTER promotes participation in student research competitions for TU Dresden.

STUDENTFORUM@TUD

FOSTER supports student events for student research at TU Dresden. One particular example is the StuFoExpo.

STUDENTRESEARCH@TUD

FOSTER promotes the implementation of student research activities at TU Dresden.

STATA (Student Academic Travel Award)

FOSTER promotes participation in conferences and congresses.

ENABLE2RESEARCH@TUD

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.

Your contact person

Eine Frau mit blonden Haaren lächelt in die Kamera. Sie hat einen roten Blazer an und trägt eine schwarze Brille.

Research Associate

Dr. Franziska Schulze-Stocker

Funds for Student Research (FOSTER)

Send email

Contact Information

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Visitor Address:

Fritz-Foerster-Bau, K 43.2 Mommsenstr. 6

01069 Dresden

Deutschland

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Have we piqued your interest?

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Then you won't miss any more news!

Discover the new news overview on the FOSTER homepage! Here you can gain insights into current projects, success stories and experiences of our funded students and project teams. From exciting research experiences to impressive presentations - let yourself be inspired and find out what is possible in the field of research-oriented learning. Experience now

Start applying for your project idea today

Here you will find further information and the documents required for the application. The FOSTER team at TU Dresden is looking forward to your submissions and wishes you every success with your application! Learn more

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.