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
8 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)
Ten Required Documents
The following ten documents are required for this scholarship:
- 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
The application process consists of four steps:
Step: 1 Direct University Application
Before DAAD ever sees your name, you must secure a recommendation from your target German university.
- Find the Right Program: Ensure the course you are applying to is actually tied to a DAAD scholarship (such as EPOS or specialized postgraduate programs).
- Check Individual Deadlines: University deadlines for DAAD-linked programs are usually much earlier than standard deadlines—often between August and October of the year before you intend to study.
- Prepare Your Dossier: Submit a flawless application directly to the university via its specified portal (or Uni-Assist, if required). This typically includes four things:
- A tailored Letter of Motivation (explaining why this course and how it benefits your home country).
- A Europass CV (signed and dated).
- Academic transcripts and degree certificates.
- Proof of professional work experience (often a minimum of 2 years for development-related courses).
Step: 2 University Review & Recommendation
Once the deadline passes, the university’s selection committee takes over.
- The Screening Process: The university evaluates your academic merit, professional background, and motivation to see if you are a perfect fit for the program.
- The Shortlist: The university ranks the top applicants. Since DAAD funding is limited, the university selects a specific number of candidates to “recommend” to DAAD for the scholarship.
- The Wait: This stage requires patience. Universities usually send out these recommendations between November and February.
Step:3 DAAD Portal Upload
If you make the university’s shortlist, you will transition from the university’s system to the official DAAD system.
- The Invitation: You will receive an official email notifying you of your selection and providing a link to the DAAD Portal.
- Registering Your Account: You must register on the portal and fill out the official DAAD scholarship application form.
- Document Upload: You will be required to upload your entire application package again, this time to the DAAD system. This ensures DAAD has direct access to your verified credentials, letters of recommendation, and language proficiency proofs.
Step:4 Final Selection & Notification
The final stamp of approval comes from the DAAD selection committee in Bonn, Germany.
- Eligibility & Compliance Check: DAAD reviews the recommended candidates to ensure they meet all formal DAAD criteria (e.g., your last academic degree should ideally not be older than 6 years).
- The Final Decision: A joint committee of university professors and DAAD representatives makes the final funding allocation.
- The Award Letter: If successful, you will receive an official Scholarship Award Letter (usually between February and April). This document is crucial, as you will need it to apply for your German student visa.
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
