RE.AL - Research Alumni Strategy

Sustainable research cooperations

The University of Münster aims to transform fruitful research stays taking place today into ongoing research cooperations in the future. Therefore, if you and your host have ideas for ongoing projects, when you leave Münster we would like to support your future research stays. We offer our advice and, in some cases, also funding opportunities to make you return.

Enhancing the visibility of the University of Münster

As a researcher, who has stayed at the University of Münster, you can contribute in making the university more visible in the world as a testimony. Let us know how we can support you in this mission!

University of Münster present at Project Week ‘Global Digital Health'

© Uni MS - DKFZ

Following the successful applications in the DAAD project line for the further training and retention of international Research Alumni and the selection of participants, the time has finally come: three international scientists who have conducted research in Münster in the past and four representatives of our university are taking part in the project week ‘Global Digital Health-Interdisciplinary Challenges from International Perspectives’’ in Cologne and Heidelberg.

RE.connect Fellowships 2025

Grants for returning researchers
© Uni MS - Sina Pfefferkorn

In 2025, the University of Münster has awarded a total of 14 RE.connect Fellowships as part of its RE.AL – Research Alumni Strategy. These fellowships support international researchers who previously conducted research in Münster and are now based at European universities. The goal is to foster sustainable academic cooperation through joint publications, research stays, or funding proposals. Fellowship holders reconnect with their former hosts. The fellowships are managed by the International Office and awarded by the Rectorate in line with the university’s internationalisation strategy. For 2026, interested researchers are encouraged to register for the Research Alumni newsletter to stay informed about upcoming calls.

Offers

  • The Research-Alumni Lifecycle

    When you come to Münster the first time, we offer you onboarding advice and you can register to book a flat in our guesthouses. During your stay we assist you with further bureaucratic issues and involve you in our networking activities. Once you leave again, we are on your side with the offboarding procedures and invite you to join our Research-Alumni network to stay in touch. This way you might return again, keeping the lifecycle going!

  • Reunion grants

    If you wish to return to Münster for another research stay, we are on your side again with all the bureaucratic stuff and, once more, you might be able to live in our guesthouses. Moreover, periodically we issue calls for specific reunion grants for up to 3 months.

  • Senior brings Junior

    Nicht nur Sie sind willkommen an unsere Universität zurückzukehren, sondern wir laden Sie auch ein Kolleginnen von Ihnen, die Nachwuchswissenschaftler*innen sind für einen kurzen Forschungsaufenthalt, eine Promotion oder einen Postdoc vorzuschlagen. Das kann eine „win win“ Situation sein, in der ihre Kolleg*innen neue Erfahrungen machen und wir in der Rekrutierung unterstützt werden.

    Ambassador Programm

    Für exzellente internationale Forscher-Alumni, die besonders motiviert sind die Universität Münster in ihren Netzwerken zu bewerben, gibt es das Ambassador Programm. In dieser Rolle repräsentieren Sie die Universität auf Konferenzen und in Meetings, Sie können unsere Arbeit mit neuen Ideen optimieren und an Veranstaltungen zur Wissenschaftskommunikation teilnehmen.

    Evaluation

    Wir wissen es zu schätzen, wenn international mobile Forschende uns eine Rückmeldung zu ihren Aufenthalten geben und uns damit die Möglichkeit geben unsere Angebote zu evaluieren und zu verbessern.