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CISPA EXCELLENCE PROGRAM FOR MASTER'S STUDENTS

Are you a computer science student with a passion for cybersecurity, privacy, or AI? At CISPA, we believe your talent is the key to shaping the future of information security.

The CISPA Excellence Program is designed to support exceptional students, providing funding, training, networking opportunities, and mentorship for the next generation of researchers and entrepreneurs.

The CISPA Excellence Program for Master’s Students supports (future) Master’s students at all of CISPA’s German partner universities (currently Saarland University, Leibniz University Hannover, University of Hamburg, University of Stuttgart, and TU Dortmund University).  This program prepares graduates with an outstanding Bachelor’s degree to qualify for a future doctoral or entrepreneurial career at CISPA.

TARGET GROUP

Top students about to start or in the first semester of a Master’s program at one of CISPA’s German partner universities. In exceptional cases, more advanced Master’s students can be accepted into the program, but will receive a corresponding reduction in the duration of funding.

WHAT WE OFFER

Participants in the Excellence Program will benefit from both financial and ideational support at a world-leading research center. They will receive financial support of about 1000 Euros per month. This support will be granted for a duration of 12 months, with the possibility of an extension of 6+6 months.

The candidates will also benefit from our support structures, mentoring and first-hand contact with cutting-edge research to create the best possible environment to boost their professional and academic career.

The supported candidates

  • can focus on the completion of the coursework for their respective study programs within the nominal time
  • may tailor their coursework to topics relevant to the core of CISPA’s research mission (security, privacy, cryptography, and trustworthy AI)
  • will receive close mentoring to boost their academic and professional development
  • have the opportunity to spend two research internships of approx. 4 weeks each in two different CISPA groups to interact with other scientists at CISPA and collaborate on cutting-edge research
  • have the opportunity to participate in at least two CISPA-organized research talks per semester to gain valuable scientific insights
  • have the opportunity to take part in valuable networking activities to boost their professional profile and extend their network
  • can benefit from CISPA’s various support structures and offers such as taking part in language courses or receiving onboarding services for any issues related to living and working in Germany

SELECTION CRITERIA

  • Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science or a related discipline. If not yet awarded, the degree should be foreseen to be granted in time for MSc study enrollment for the upcoming study term.
  • Excellence in terms of academic record with a grade average placing you among the top 10-20% of your study cohort.
  • Strong research potential and intellectual curiosity. This may be demonstrated by, e.g.: extracurricular activities such as participation in conferences or hackathons; peer-reviewed scientific publications; statements from supervisors; professional achievements.
  • Affinity to at least one of CISPA’s research areas, to be detailed in the motivation letter.
  • Proficiency in spoken and written English (corresponding to at least C1 level, does not have to be proven with a certificate).

Note: Applications from women, minorities, and individuals with disabilities will be preferred in cases of equal performance.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE

  • Applications can only be submitted upon nomination by a CISPA-Faculty. Please suggest your nomination to the program by reaching out to individual CISPA -Faculty whose research closely aligns with your own field of interest.
  • Submission deadlines are June 15 for the upcoming winter term and December 15 for the upcoming summer term.
  • If you would like to submit your application, please follow this link: carrer.cispa.de

CONTACT

Please send an email to CISPA’s Early Career Support (ECAS) if you have questions about the program or the application process: ecas@cispa.de .

FAQ

When you apply for the Excellence Program, you should either have started a Master’s at a German partner university already or be about to start in time for your participation in the Excellence Program. You will need to submit proof of enrollment in case you are accepted to the program.

CISPA’s current partner universities are Saarland University, Leibniz University Hannover, TU Dortmund University, University of Stuttgart, and University of Hamburg.

Unfortunately, this is not possible.

If you have not been in contact with a CISPA-Faculty yet, the best way towards a nomination is to browse the research areas on our website to identify whose Faculty’s research aligns with your own interests the most. You can then email them to express your wish to participate in the Excellence Program, provide a brief overview of your research interests, and attach a CV or other documents demonstrating your academic excellence. Of course, you can also approach them personally when they are teaching courses at one of our partner universities.

Yes, if you are enrolled (or will enroll) at one of CISPA’s German partner universities and have been nominated by a CISPA-Faculty.

You should have a background in computer science or a related field and have a keen interest in CISPA’s research mission.

You will need to submit

  • a cover letter (1–2 pages),
  • your CV,
  • your Bachelor’s certificate, if awarded yet, and other certificates if available,
  • a transcript of records of your Bachelor’s studies,
  • 1–2 letters of recommendation from researchers who either supervised your Bachelor’s thesis

A nomination by one Faculty is sufficient. 

You can expect a response  about one month after the application deadline. There are two deadlines per year: June 15th and December 15th.

The core components of the Excellence Program are:

  • two full-time four-week internships at different CISPA research groups (one per semester);
  • participation in at least two CISPA-organized research talks per semester;
  • a written report about your progress and plans at the end of each semester;
  • regular exchange with your mentor (a CISPA-Faculty) about your academic and career-related goals.
  • Additionally, there are many opportunities for networking, workshops for your academic and personal growth and interactions with CISPA research.