Studying in Germany is a dream for thousands of international students. The DAAD Scholarship 2026–2027 makes this dream possible by offering full financial support for Master’s and PhD programs at leading German universities.
The scholarship covers tuition, monthly stipends, health insurance, and travel allowances. With this funding, students can focus on their education without worrying about financial stress, while also experiencing Germany’s culture and academic excellence.
Each year, DAAD supports talented graduates, professionals, and researchers who return home as skilled experts. The program strengthens global cooperation, supports development, and opens career opportunities worldwide.
Key Facts
- Funding Body: German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD)
- Academic Levels: Master’s, PhD
- Duration: 12–42 months (Master’s up to 24 months; PhD up to 48 months)
- Monthly Stipend: €992 for Master’s, €1,300–€1,400 for PhD (raised to €1,400 from February 2026)
- Additional Benefits: health insurance, accident/liability coverage, travel allowance, one-time study allowance, rent/family support
Eligible Fields of Study
- Economic Sciences, Law, Business
- Agricultural and Forest Sciences
- Art and Design (including Architecture)
- Engineering and Natural Sciences
- Humanities and Social Sciences
- Language and Cultural Studies
- Mathematics and Natural Sciences
- Medicine and Public Health
Eligibility Criteria
- A four-year Bachelor’s degree with above-average results (top third of class)
- At least two years of professional experience after graduation
- Most recent degree not older than six years
- Applicants living in Germany more than 15 months at deadline are not eligible
Language requirements:
- German programs: B1 German certificate at application, six-month German course in Germany, and DSH 2 or TestDaF 4 before study begins
- English programs: Valid IELTS or TOEFL (institutional TOEFL not accepted)
Required Documents
- Signed checklist
- DAAD EPOS application form
- CV in Europass format
- Motivation letter (single letter for up to three courses)
- Employer recommendation letter (recent, official, signed, stamped)
- Employment certificates confirming at least two years of work experience
- Language certificate (IELTS/TOEFL or B1 German)
- Degree certificates with certified translation if needed
- Full academic transcripts with grading explanation
- APS certificate (mandatory for Chinese applicants)
Application Process
- Apply directly to your chosen university program (not DAAD).
- University reviews and recommends candidates to DAAD.
- Shortlisted applicants upload documents to the DAAD portal.
- DAAD finalizes selection and informs awardees.
Deadlines
- Main window: August – November 2025 for studies starting in 2026
- Some PhD programs: deadlines until March 2026
- Always confirm dates on each program’s official page
Apply Now
Apply via the official DAAD Scholarship Database.
More Resources
- Detailed requirements: DAAD Scholarship Requirements for Masters: Step-by-Step Guide
- Explore more options: Germany Fully Funded Scholarships for International Students
- Other German funding: Friedrich Ebert Foundation Scholarship
