This 8-10 week summer program funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF) for graduate and undergraduate students is dedicated to conducting research on the theme of advanced combustion and materials technologies. Through a partnership with the German Aerospace Center (DLR), students will gain research experience at a state-of-the-art facility in Cologne, Germany, with leading industry scientists and develop professionally in an international environment. IRES: U.S.-Germany will also include cultural activities, industrial visits, housing and a competitive stipend. This program will be offered each summer through 2023, with the application period taking place during the previous fall semester.
This summer research experience offers:
- Ten weeks of research experience with DLR scientists.
- Professional development in an international environment.
- STEM outreach with K-12 students in the U.S.
- Exposure to a new culture.
- Provided housing.
- Competitive stipend.
Research on Advanced Combustion and Materials Technologies
Worldwide efforts to meet next-generation propulsion capabilities for hypersonic suborbital and reusable space vehicles and power generation systems rely on interdisciplinary and transformational technologies. Collaboration between scientists and engineers within the field is essential to understanding and addressing bigger problems to create innovative solutions by facilitating international experiences for U.S. students. This is achieved through collaborative research between DLR and Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, as well as a partnership with Argonne National Laboratory. Each participating student will join a team that addresses a specific research problem within the field of advanced combustion and aerospace materials and collaborate with local and international partners to direct their research toward the needs of the industry. The exact objectives of the IRES program will evolve from year to year.
Fulbright U.S. Program Researchers
Several student researchers who participated in NSF IRES over the years were awarded the Fulbright U.S. Program grant to continue their research at DLR.
From left to right: Fulbright recipients Albert Manero II (2014-2015), Estefania Bohorquez (2018-2019), Lin Rossmann (2018-2019) and Zachary Stein (2020-2021).
Why Germany?
In 2013, BBC News declared, "The best engineers come from Germany." This claim is supported by a long history of metallurgy and machine engineering, and a more recent history of competitive innovation in the fields of materials and aerospace engineering. Home to leading companies like Siemens and ThyssenKrupp, the German aerospace industry is expanding at a rate more than three times the nation’s GDP, generating over 30 billion in revenue each year. This growth can only be maintained by developing new materials to drive innovation potential and competitiveness in the world market. “WING – Innovative Materials for Industry and Society” is a program of the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research that categorizes materials research, chemistry and nanotechnology as essential elements of innovation in all engineering fields. Germany’s new High-Tech Strategy aims to drive prosperity and improve quality of life by creating favorable conditions for innovation.
Our Partners: The German Aerospace Center (DLR)
DLR is the national aeronautics and space research center of the Federal Republic of Germany. Its extensive research and development work in aeronautics, space, energy, transport and security is integrated into national and international cooperative ventures. In addition to its own research, as Germany’s space agency, the DLR has been given responsibility by the federal government for the planning and implementation of the German space program.
DLR has approximately 8,000 employees at 16 locations in Germany: Cologne (headquarters), Augsburg, Berlin, Bonn, Braunschweig, Bremen, Goettingen, Hamburg, Juelich, Lampoldshausen, Neustrelitz, Oberpfaffenhofen, Stade, Stuttgart, Trauen and Weilheim. DLR also has offices in Brussels, Paris, Tokyo and Washington D.C.
DLR’s mission comprises the exploration of Earth and the Solar System, and research for protecting the environment. This includes the development of environment-friendly technologies for energy supply and future mobility, as well as for communications and security. DLR’s research portfolio ranges from fundamental research to the development of products for tomorrow. In this way, DLR contributes the scientific and technical expertise that it has acquired to the enhancement of Germany as a location for industry and technology. DLR operates major research facilities for its own projects and as a service for clients and partners. It also fosters the development of the next generation of researchers, provides expert advisory services to the government and is a driving force in the regions where its facilities are located.
Program Annual Timeline
For 2021-2024
- Application deadline: Early January
- Interviews: Middle of January
- Notification of acceptance: Late January
In order to facilitate the pre-departure preparation, accepted students will be asked to confirm their involvement in the program within one week of notification of acceptance and commit to 10 hours of research per week during the spring semester.
- Spring research collaboration and preparation for departure: February-April
- Departure: May
- Return: Early August
Requirements
- U.S. citizen or permanent resident
- Registered as a graduate student or an undergraduate interested in pursuing graduate studies
- Available at least 10-20 hours per week during the spring term
- Available for departure for 10-12 weeks from May to August
For more information, contact Dr. Seetha Raghavan.
This website is based in part upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No.1952523. Any opinions, findings and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this website are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation (NSF).
Professor and Associate Dean
Department of Aerospace Engineering