International Research Attachments (i-RAP)

Germany: University of Bonn

Who is the research attachment host?

The University of Bonn was founded almost 200 years ago and is considered to be one of Germany's and Europe's most important institutes of higher education. As a home of learning to over 30,000 students, the University of Bonn is known for its strengths in Biomedical Sciences, Pharmaceutical Research, Mathematics, Physics and Economics, among others. University of Bonnis a particularly prolific centre of knowledge production with teachers and researchers who enjoy the highest international reputation asNobel prize winners.

The host of this research attachment is the Research Training Group 1873 (RTG 1873), funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG), at the University of Bonn. The interdisciplinary RTG combines scientific expertise in the area of pharmacology and pharmacy that focuses on "Pharmacology of 7TM-receptors and downstream Signalling pathways".

For more information, please visit the following sites:


What is the academic content?

The Research Training Group (RTG) 1873 “Pharmacology of 7TM-Receptors and Downstream Signalling Pathways” offers the Undergraduate Laboratory Internship (ULI) Programme for advanced young researchers. The ULI Programme is an excellent opportunity for outstanding undergraduate students to participate in scientific research projects in the field of Pharmacology, Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences. The focus of the research programme is receptor signalling and disease related research.

For more information, please visit

Is academic credit available?

Academic credit MAY be available. Students interested in obtaining credit must work with their faculty for credit transfer. IRO is unable to apply for credit transfer on the students’ behalf.

How many placements are available? When and where does it take place?

Research Area / Location(City, Country) / Period(Date - Date) / No. of Placements
Pharmacology, Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences / Bonn, Germany / May 2015 - July 2015 / To be decided by host university

What are the eligibility requirements?

General NUS Requirements

  • Full-time NUS undergraduates
  • Prior research experience in a relevant field will be advantageous
  • Year 3 and 4 undergraduates are preferred, though Year 1 and 2 undergraduates can apply if they have research experience or feel that they are qualified for the programme
  • Students must complete the programme before their conferment date
  • CAP of 3.0 and above

What are the accommodation arrangements?

The University of Bonn will support students in finding accommodation.

For more information, please visit here.

How much does the programme cost?

The cost estimates below exclude benefits from the university, ie stipend, meals, airfare etc.

Item / Cost
Optional: Social Fee* / S$380
Return Airfare / S$1,200
Accommodation / S$300 - S$550 /month
Visa / S$100
Travel Insurance / S$250
Monthly expenses (meals, personal spending) / S$1,000
Total cost estimate for a 2-month research attachment / Approx. S$4,780

Please note, these are estimated expenses and actual expenses may differ based on price shifts and personal spending habits. Do adjust these estimates based on the duration of your internship.

*Students are strongly encouraged to pay the semester social fee of €250 and get enrolled. Being enrolled at the University of Bonn will provide the students with access to some of the activities organised by the University for international students, access to university infrastructure like libraries and sports facilities, and mingle with other students on campus. Having enrolled with a student status will also provide the students with a public transportation pass for the Bonn/Cologne region for free. For more information, please visit here.

Is financial assistance available?

Students selected for the programme are eligible to apply for:

(a) NASA Enhancement Bursary and/or Scholarship concurrently using the programme application form
(please see "How do I apply?" below)
(b) Overseas Student Programme Loan (Singaporeans only)
(c) PSEA Fund Withdrawal (Singaporeans only)

Other Forms of Financial Assistance

Students accepted in the programme can also apply for financial support of €650 per month from Research Training Group 1873 for the internship period of 2 months. Students are to apply for the financial support using the RTG application form (please see "How do I apply?" below).

How do I apply for a visa?

NUS and the host university will assist in providing documentation needed to apply for a visa if necessary.

Students are to consult the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany for more information.

Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany
#12-00 Singapore Land Tower
50 Raffles Place
Singapore 048623
Tel: +65 6533 6002
Website:

Students are responsible for ensuring that they have proper entry documents for all countries they plan to visit as part of this programme!

How do I apply for the programme? What happens after I submit my application?

Please submit your application as early as possible as interviews may start before the application deadline.

  • Submit your COMPLETE application package via email to

  • CompletedIRO Programme Application Formincluding your preferred research areas
    (handwritten submissions will not be accepted)
  • Completed RTG application Form
  • Copy of your latest unofficial transcript (downloadable via MyISIS)
  • Updated CV
  • Recommendation letter

  • Use your NUS email account* to submit your application package to:

*Applications submitted using personal email accounts (eg Gmail, Hotmail, Yahoo) will NOT be processed.

If you do not hear from us one month after the programme application deadline, please assume that you have not been shortlisted.

Research Attachment Period / Application Deadline
May 2015 - July 2015 / 25 February 2015

Application Process

Please click here to see the entire application process and the steps involved.

Where can I get more information?

Please read the i-RAP Application Guide here.

For additional information or related queries, please clickhere.

For travel notices, please refer to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website.