IMPULSE-Program

International Mobility Program with Partner Universities Leading in Science and Engineering.

Ongoing project - open for funding

Research stays at KIT for international students from excellent non-European partner universities.

IMPULSE opens doors around the world: international talents discover KIT, and KIT students discover the world.

This is what it's all about

International experience is the key to global scientific excellence and professional success. IMPULSE opens new pathways for KIT students to top universities worldwide – while also bringing international research talents to KIT.

We offer three- to four-month research stays at KIT for students from outstanding partner universities overseas. These stays are supported by attractive scholarships and enriched by a comprehensive cultural and social program – from assistance with visa procedures and housing to a wide range of group activities, including city excursions, theater performances, and museum visits. A final feedback workshop, where students share their research outcomes and personal impressions, provides a meaningful conclusion to their experience.

For each incoming research stay, KIT receives a tuition-free exchange spot at the respective partner university. We pass this opportunity on to our students – creating attractive prospects for a semester abroad at top institutions outside Europe.

What we want to achieve

Creating exchange opportunities for KIT students at top universities outside Europe
Strengthening KIT’s international research collaborations
Educating the next generation of globally minded professionals
Positioning KIT as a university of excellence on the global stage

With IMPULSE, our goal is to expand opportunities for KIT students to pursue enriching study experiences at selected partner universities. In doing so, we aim to enhance KIT’s appeal to students while making a meaningful contribution to internationalization. At the same time, the program responds to the growing demand for young professionals and early-career researchers with international experience – both in the Karlsruhe TechnologieRegion and at KIT itself.

Another key objective of IMPULSE is to increase KIT’s visibility among the next generation of international researchers and thereby strengthen its global research collaborations. Through IMPULSE, KIT researchers can actively invite talented students to Karlsruhe. These participants not only carry KIT’s reputation as a university of excellence with a unique research infrastructure into the world, but also promote the Karlsruhe TechnologieRegion as an attractive hub for science and innovation.

Further information

How the funding is used

Financing monthly scholarships for incoming students to support the research stay at KIT
Supporting the accompanying program, including a welcome event, feedback workshop, city trips, excursions, and cultural activities. The budget for the program is limited, and participation in many activities is either at the students’ own expense or (partially) subsidized by IMPULSE
Funding student tutors who support participants during their stay
Ensuring inclusivity: Students with disabilities or chronic illnesses receive tailored support based on their individual needs. Additional expenses related to their condition during the stay can be reimbursed upon request

The Role of Our Supporters

Our goal is to establish IMPULSE as a long-term, valued initiative in collaboration with charitable foundations, companies, and private sponsors – thereby strengthening KIT’s exchange and research partnerships in a sustainable way. International exchange thrives on personal encounters. IMPULSE creates spaces where supporters can engage directly with both international students and KIT students, fostering meaningful dialogue and mutual understanding. There are no fixed pairings – all supporters meet all participants. A special opportunity for exchange is offered during the feedback workshops, where international students present their research findings and engage in discussions with their academic mentors at KIT.

Supporters who wish to become more involved are invited to become key partners – and to actively shape the future development of IMPULSE by contributing their own ideas and perspectives.

Leverage Effect of Funding

IMPULSE provides funding for research stay scholarships and the accompanying program for international students participating in the initiative at KIT.

Tuition fees at our non-European partner universities are typically many times higher than the cost of hosting a research stay at KIT through IMPULSE. This is where IMPULSE demonstrates its strength: with comparatively modest resources, we achieve a significant leverage effect – enabling KIT students to access attractive, tuition-free study opportunities at top institutions outside Europe.

Who Benefits from the IMPULSE Program

Researchers: Through their existing international research collaborations, KIT researchers can invite students from partner institutions to join research projects at KIT. This strengthens global research networks. Funding is secured, and the International Students Office centrally manages organizational and non-academic support.

Students: Interest in exchange opportunities outside Europe has been growing steadily among KIT students. IMPULSE addresses this increasing demand by creating additional exchange placements.

KIT: IMPULSE enables more KIT students to spend a semester abroad at non-European partner universities. This enhances KIT’s attractiveness to students and contributes to the internationalization of both the university and its academic programs.

Partner Universities: They gain access to an exclusive and attractive mobility program tailored to their academic calendars (e.g., during the summer break from May to August in North America). The program includes cost-covering scholarships and offers excellent academic and non-academic support for their students.

Participating Universities

University of North Carolina at Charlotte (UNCC)/USA
University of Waterloo/Canada

Additional partner universities, primarily in the Anglo-American region, are to be included in the IMPULSE program.

Facts and figures

Project duration:
Starting 2026

Funding required:
The program can be implemented with an annual budget of €33,000, which covers five research stays at KIT. Our goal is to secure an annual budget of €132,000 to support 20 research stays at KIT.

Funding sources:
Reinhard Frank-Stiftung

Project responsibility KIT:
Julia Johnsen/Sarah Arnoldi, International Students Office, International Affairs