Young Ambassadors Program

The DAAD Young Ambassadors Program is a unique and exciting two-semester volunteer opportunity for undergraduate students to promote study and research in Germany at their home universities and colleges.

The program starts with a mandatory training session which takes place in August. The objective of the workshop is for participants to acquire the knowledge and skills needed to effectively promote study and research in Germany on their campuses. Students learn about the German higher education and research system as well as the wide range of DAAD funding opportunities. In addition, the training focuses on refining public speaking and presentation skills and meeting other Young Ambassadors. Accommodation and travel within the US and Canada will be covered by DAAD.

During the academic year, DAAD Young Ambassadors promote study and research in Germany by working with their universities’ study abroad offices, volunteering at study abroad fairs, organizing class visits, info sessions, fun events, and answering their fellow students’ questions. DAAD provides Young Ambassadors with brochures, giveaways, and funding for events. Along with this, a profile including contact information for each Young Ambassador is featured on the DAAD USA website.

DAAD Young Ambassadors are required to submit at least three event reports during the academic year. While the DAAD Young Ambassadors Program is a volunteer opportunity, all event reports are included in a raffle drawing at the end of the academic year, from which prizes are awarded in recognition of the volunteers’ time and commitment.

Young Ambassadors do not have to be alumni of DAAD grant programs. We will give special attention to nominations from study abroad offices, but will also accept applications directly from students who wish to apply on their own and provide contact information for a reference.

You are eligible for the program if you…

• are an undergraduate student at a college or university in the US or Canada
• have recently studied or done research at a German university or interned in Germany
• are available to promote study and research in Germany on your campus during the entire academic year
• can speak intelligently and enthusiastically about your experiences in Germany in front of groups
• are willing to represent DAAD at a study abroad fair and to organize at least one event per semester
• are available for the training session in August

Please note that only one student may be nominated per college or university. The current Young Ambassadors from the University of Victoria, the University of Puerto Rico, McGill University, and Queen’s University (Kingston) will be continuing their tenures in the 2025-26 academic year, so we will not be accepting applications from these universities this year.

Application forms for 2025-26 are available for download at the bottom of this page, to be emailed to ya.newyorkdaad.de by April 30, 2025.

The Young Ambassadors Program is great for helping returning study abroad students apply their newfound knowledge and experience.

Take the opportunity to nominate a DAAD Young Ambassador on your campus!
Please see above for the requirements that students need to fulfill in order to be eligible for the DAAD Young Ambassadors Program.

Although students may apply directly to DAAD to become a Young Ambassador, special consideration will be given to candidates nominated by their university’s study abroad office.

Please note that only one student may be nominated per college or university. The current Young Ambassadors from the University of Victoria, the University of Puerto Rico, McGill University, and Queen’s University (Kingston) will be continuing their tenures in the 2025-26 academic year, so we will not be accepting applications from these universities this year.

If you choose to nominate a Young Ambassador, please fill out the nomination form (last page of the application form) and submit the completed application form to DAAD New York. Please do not forget to attach the nomination letter as requested in the nomination form.

Please submit your nomination together with the student’s application electronically by sending the PDF/Word document to ya.newyorkdaad.de – no hard copy is required.

Application forms for 2025-26 are available for download in the box at the bottom of this page, to be emailed to ya.newyorkdaad.de by April 30, 2025.