Hamburg International Summer School

Requirements for submitting an application:

• The applicant is employed in a professorial capacity by Universität Hamburg and carries out regular teaching duties. Postdoctoral researchers and research associates may apply with the support of a professor.
• Period of the summer school 2026: preferably during the lecture free periof between summer semester 2026 and winter semester 2026/27
• Duration of the summer school: at least 2 weeks
• Number of participants: at least 8 participants
• Scope of the courses: approx. 30 academic hours / week
• Award of credits: required
• Program language: English
• Fields of study: The program is open to all disciplines 
• Participation fees: not mandatory but permitted
• Location: The summer school must take place in presence at the UHH

The application must include:

• Cover sheet (.pdf)
• Cost breakdown (.xlsx)
• Format of the subject-specific program, reference to the UHH's research areas and areas of potential
• Implementation and organization in the faculty/department
• Integration into the faculty (Can you already name lecturers? Is it possible to use faculty rooms? To what extent does the summer school promote the internationalization of the research area?)
• If applicable, cooperation partners and supporting research institutions outside the university (e.g. DESY, Max Planck Institute)
• Maximum number of pages: 8 pages

The following criteria and aspects are included in the decision:

• Compliance with the application deadline
• Fit of the planned activities in the funding line
• Statement of costs

Funding can only be granted if all main application prerequisites (see the ‘Application’ tab) are met and funds are available.

If more applications are submitted than funding is available, the International Affairs Department will decide which applications will receive funding.  In the event of rejection, the applications concerned may still take place under the name HISS, but without financial support. The other services of International Affairs Department remain in place. Selection is based on the following criteria:

 Initial funding

• It is desirable to establish a broad range of summer schools, therefore a first-time application will be given preference, all other qualifications being equal.

Distribution across the faculties

• If there are too many applications, a spread of summer schools across the faculties will be sought and considered in the selection process.

Networking concept

• Summer schools that promote networking with external partners and partner universities, e.g. by involving lecturers or similar, are preferred.

Research focus, area of potential and profile initiative

• Summer schools that are thematically located within the research focus areas, areas of potential and profile initiative are preferred.

Export control, academic freedom, and in-depth review procedure

The Department of International Affairs helps Universität Hamburg researchers by minimizing the risk of and providing a sound basis for international cooperation. In 2020, Universität Hamburg’s Executive University Board resolved to establish a review process for international cooperation. The University Administration will review funding applications and cooperation agreements with international partners with regard to the upholding of academic freedom and the requirements of the Federal Office for Economic Affairs and Export Control (BAFA). If cooperation topics are relevant to further control rights issues, and if the cooperating institution is located in a country that the Academic Freedom Index (AFI) has listed as restricting academic freedom, an in-depth review procedure will be initiated. Both the first and the in-depth review will be conducted within strictly defined parameters.

Utilization of funds:

The maximum funding amount per summer school is EUR 8,000. The aim of the funding is to keep the participation fees low so that many people can take part. The funding can be used for the following purposes:

• Travel and accommodation costs for participating learners
• Partially covered: local excursions, welcome/farewell event, and other organizational expenses (up to 20% of the total funding amount)

Funding can (proportionally) be spent for personnel costs

• Teaching costs
• Student employees/assistants up to generally EUR 2,000 per summer school

Project report:

• The applicant must submit a detailed project report to the Department of International Affairs no later than 6 weeks after the end of the project.