Submit your application through the application portal, including:
A motivation letter (max. one page): why the topic interests you and what you would contribute
A short CV
Proof of enrolment (student or doctoral candidate)
PhD candidates only: a short abstract of your research (max. 300 words) for the Doctoral Symposium, and whether you are applying for a funded research stay
A joint committee from HTWG Konstanz and KazNU selects participants in a transparent process.
The criteria are:
Academic motivation and interest in the topic
Fit with applied AI, digital health, occupational sleep health, ethics, law, or a related field.
Expected academic and intercultural benefit from taking part
Willingness to contribute actively to teamwork, discussions and follow-up activities
We value diversity, consider gender balance, and explicitly encourage applications from groups underrepresented in international exchange, including first-generation students, students with family responsibilities, and students with disabilities or chronic illnesses.
Please let us know if you need support to participate.
Funding and support
For all selected participants
Free participation in the full five-day program
Meals during the program days (daily allowance)
Study visit and cultural excursion in Almaty
Hands-on lab materials and a certificate of participation
For PhD candidates from Germany
Two funded research stays in Kazakhstan, each including:
A travel allowance of €1,188 to cover paperwork, vaccinations, and luggage.
A stay allowance that covers accommodation, meals, health, accident, and liability insurance for a stay of up to one month at KazNU, including the Winter School
For PhD candidates from Kazakhstan.
Two funded research stays in Germany in early 2027, each including:
A travel allowance of €1,188 to cover visas, vaccinations, and luggage.
A stay allowance that covers accommodation, meals, health, accident, and liability insurance for a one-month stay at HTWG Konstanz, including a follow-up seminar in the HTWG laboratories
Funding is provided by the DAAD with funds from the German Federal Foreign Office. Places are limited.
Students from Germany & Kazakhstan: Any student from Al-Farabi Kazakh National University and HTWG-Konstanz (Germany) can apply to participate in the winter school (places are limited).
PhD candidates from Kazakhstan: Two funded research stays of up to one month at HTWG Konstanz, including a one-week follow-up seminar in the HTWG laboratories.
PhD candidates from Germany: Two funded research stays in Kazakhstan of up to one month at KazNU, including the Winter School.
You must take out international health insurance and repatriation insurance for the duration of your stay abroad. We or the DAAD will not reimburse the costs!
Third:
If you are selected, the DAAD will fund your travel and accommodation costs. Any additional expenses (such as visa fees and health insurance) cannot be paid separately, as they are already included in the funding.
Kazakhstan nationals need a visa to visit Germany for short trips (tourism, family visits, business, training, etc).
You must prepare the following documents for your German visa application:
Application form. You must provide a completed and signed visa application form. You can usually download the form online via the embassy website, print it, and fill it out.
Your passport. You must provide your passport, which must be valid for an additional three months after you leave Germany, contain two blank pages, and have been issued within the last ten years.
Identification photographs. One identity photograph in line with the Schengen visa photo guidelines — the photo must not be older than 6 months.
Proof of residency in Kazakhstan. Submit proof of residency in Kazakhstan.
Residence permit. Submit proof of a valid residence permit.
Schengen travel health insurance. Provide proof of purchased valid travel health insurance that covers you in the Schengen Area and has a minimum of EUR 30,000 of medical coverage, including medical emergencies.
Proof of accommodation. Submit proof of accommodation during your stay in the country. You can submit evidence of a hotel reservation, a rental agreement, or an Airbnb, or if you’re staying with someone, an invitation letter.
Travel itinerary. Provide a travel itinerary for your entry and visit to the country, and include proof of a reserved flight ticket.
Mobility expenses: up to €1,188 for a round trip between Germany and Kazakhstan, in either direction (covers visas, vaccinations, and luggage).
Stay allowance and hotel expenses: up to €45/day; stay allowance covers accommodation, meals, and health, accident, and liability insurance
Meal allowance: €20/per event day (not counting travel days). This applies only to participants who don’t already receive a stay allowance, such as local KazNU students at the Winter School.
Payment will be made upon completion of the trip. If you cannot advance the money, please let us know!.
