Germany commits €120 million, various initiatives to enable foreign graduates join workforce

The German government, working in partnership with universities nationwide, has pledged up to €120 million in funding through 2028 to facilitate the transition of foreign graduates into the workforce.

This announcement follows the launch of two new initiatives by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research and the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD). These initiatives to support foreign graduates in transitioning to the German workforce, are: FIT and Profi-Plus.

The newly introduced programmes comes in the wake of a recent white paper by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), which advocated for enhanced career transition support for international students. .

“In Germany, we have been heading towards an ever-increasing gap in skilled workers on the labour market for several years. At the same time, the Federal Republic is becoming increasingly popular as a place to study,” Dr Joybrato Mukherjee, DAAD President said.

“We need to think about both developments together and show international students more effectively and in greater numbers the path to a professional career in Germany. They are highly qualified and well-integrated, and we should make more strategic use of their exciting potential as skilled workers in Germany.”

Survey results from 200 German universities, conducted in December 2024, therefore projects that foreign enrolment in German higher education will reach 405,000 for the winter semester of 2024/25. This nearly 10 percent year-on-year increase represents the highest annual growth in the past decade.

FIT – or the “Promotion of International Talent for Integration into Studies and the Labour Market”

The first initiative, known as FIT – the “Promotion of International Talent for Integration into Studies and the Labour Market” programme – commenced in the spring of 2024.

This initiative funded up to 70 projects at German universities, providing additional career support for foreign students at various stages of their studies. Eligible universities had to apply for funding, with the programme offering up to €1 million per project for academic and career support, continuing through to 2028.

Commenting on the announcement, Bettina Stark-Watzinger,  Federal Education Minister said, “For a large number of international students, the good prospects of remaining in Germany later in their careers has already been a key factor in deciding in favour of Germany as a place to study in the past”.

“With the the new transition support initiatives, we want to provide international students with tailored support during their studies and in their transition to the German labour market. After all, we urgently need more bright minds and hard-working hands for growth and prosperity in our country.”

Profi plus, or the “Academic Adaptation Qualification for the German Labour Market”

The second initiative is Profi plus, or the “Academic Adaptation Qualification for the German Labour Market” programme launched by DAAD and the Ministry of Education and Research.

The initiative targets foreign graduates who have earned degrees from institutions outside Germany, helping them adapt their qualifications to meet the demands of the German labour market.

Like the FIT programme, universities must apply for Profi-Plus funding, which will support up to 25 projects with grants of up to €700,000 each through 2028. Additionally, Profi-Plus will back new services aimed at easing the transition to work in Germany and boosting the employability of foreign degree holders.

In a related move, the government has recently doubled the number of hours per week that foreign students are permitted to work during their studies.

Dr. Mukherjee added, “With this initiatives, we are expanding the opportunities for our member universities to qualify and support international talent during their studies, at graduation and during their transition into the German labour market.”

“We also urgently need more affordable accommodation for students from Germany and for international students”, he said.  “This is also essential for the continued success of Germany as a centre of business and innovation”.