DAAD Scholarships in Germany: Programs, Eligibility, How to Apply
最終更新日: 2026年5月26日
If you want funded study or research in Germany, the DAAD (Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst) is the single most important door to knock on. This guide walks through which DAAD programs exist in 2026, who qualifies, what documents you need, and how the application portal actually works.
Last updated: May 26, 2026
What DAAD Scholarships Actually Are
DAAD is Germany's largest funding organization for international academic exchange. It awards roughly 100,000 scholarships annually and has funded around 3 million scholars since it was founded in 1925. DAAD does not run a single "scholarship." It runs a catalogue of programs, each with its own eligibility rules, deadlines, and stipend rates. Most international applicants will be looking at one of these tracks:
- Study Scholarships – Master Studies in Germany (for graduate students)
- Research Grants – Doctoral Programmes in Germany (for PhD candidates)
- EPOS – Development-Related Postgraduate Courses (for applicants from developing countries with work experience)
- Helmut-Schmidt-Programme (Master's Scholarships for Public Policy and Good Governance)
- In-Country/In-Region Programmes (regional funding without moving to Germany)
- Hilde Domin Programme (for students at risk of educational rights violations in their home country)
- University Summer Courses (short language and academic courses)
Each program has a separate listing in the DAAD scholarship database (www.funding-guide.de), and that is where you apply. There is no single "DAAD application" you fill in once.
Stipend Rates and What Is Covered (2026)
The headline numbers below come from the DAAD scholarship pages directly. Rates vary by program, so always cross-check the specific program listing.
Level | Monthly Stipend (2026) |
|---|---|
Master's / graduate scholarship holders | €992 |
Doctoral candidates and postdocs | €1,300 (rising to €1,400 from February 2026) |
Assistant teachers / assistant professors | €2,000 |
In addition to the monthly stipend, most DAAD scholarships include:
- Contributions toward health, accident, and personal liability insurance
- A flat-rate travel allowance
- An annual study or research allowance of €460 (for the Master's Study Scholarship and Doctoral Programmes)
- Reimbursement of the TestDaF or DSH language test fee once your Scholarship Award Letter has been issued
- Funded preparatory German language courses of 2, 4, or 6 months before your stay (duration decided by DAAD based on your language skills and project)
A note on tuition: DAAD does not pay tuition fees directly. Scholarship holders are exempt from tuition fees at participating German institutions, which in practice covers the same outcome at the vast majority of public universities.
Eligibility: Who Can Apply
General rules across the main programs:
- Recent degree: Your last academic degree should normally have been completed no more than six years before the application deadline.
- Time in Germany: If you are applying from your country of residence, you may have been in Germany for no more than 15 months by the application closing date.
- Age limit: There is generally no fixed age limit, though specific programs may set their own restrictions.
- Program format: DAAD does not fund part-time or online programs.
- Language: Either solid German or English proficiency depending on your target program. Many master's programs at German universities are taught in English; doctoral research is often bilingual.
Program-specific eligibility worth flagging:
- EPOS (Development-Related Postgraduate Courses) requires at least two years of relevant professional experience after your bachelor's degree and an "upper third" (far above average) academic record. EPOS funds master's (and in exceptional cases doctoral) programs for 12 to 42 months depending on the course chosen.
- Doctoral Programmes in Germany require you to hold a Master's, Diplom, or in exceptional cases a Bachelor's degree by the funding start date. Research stays outside Germany are funded only if essential to the project, and capped at one quarter of the total funding period.
- Helmut-Schmidt-Programme is targeted at applicants from selected developing and transition countries pursuing public policy and good governance master's degrees.
Document Checklist
Documents vary slightly by program, but the standard packet for a Master's or PhD scholarship typically includes:
- DAAD online application form (submitted through the portal)
- Full CV in tabular form (usually in Europass format)
- Letter of motivation (1 to 2 pages) explaining why you, why this program, why Germany
- A detailed research or study proposal (mandatory for doctoral applicants, often required at master's level)
- A timetable or work plan for your stay
- Copies of all university degree certificates with transcripts
- Copies of secondary school leaving certificate
- Proof of language proficiency (German and/or English, depending on program)
- Two academic references on letterhead, signed and dated (sometimes submitted directly by the referee)
- For doctoral applicants: a confirmation letter from a supervising professor at a German university
- For EPOS: proof of at least two years of professional work experience
- Passport copy
Every document not originally in German or English usually needs a certified translation. Build in time for that. Embassies and consular notarization can take weeks in some countries.
How to Apply: Step by Step
- Pick the right program. Use the scholarship database at www.funding-guide.de and filter by your country of origin, status (student, graduate, doctoral candidate, postdoc), and subject area. Read the program description carefully. Eligibility rules are non-negotiable.
- Identify your target universities and courses. For Master's Study Scholarships, you can usually apply to up to three German master's programs. Verify each is on the DAAD's list of fundable programs.
- Contact a supervisor (PhD applicants). For Doctoral Programmes in Germany, you need a written confirmation of supervision from a German professor. Reach out at least three to six months before the deadline.
- Prepare your documents in the exact format requested. Page limits and file naming conventions matter.
- Submit via the DAAD portal. The application portal is linked from each individual program listing in the funding guide. The portal is not fully functional on mobile devices, so use a laptop or desktop.
- Send physical copies if required. Some programs still require a printed application package sent to the DAAD office or to a local German embassy after the online submission. Check the program-specific instructions.
- Wait for the academic selection committee. Applications are reviewed by independent, voluntary academic committees. Criteria are academic record, project quality, motivation, and applicant potential.
- Interview (some programs). Shortlisted candidates may be invited to an interview, sometimes at the German embassy in their home country.
Deadlines and Processing Timeline
Deadlines depend on the program and on your country of origin. A few concrete 2026 examples:
- Helmut-Schmidt-Programme (academic year 2027/28): applications accepted 1 June to 31 July 2026.
- Helmut-Schmidt-Programme 2026 cohort: selection results were communicated to successful applicants by December 2025 or January 2026; courses begin September/October 2026.
- Master's Study Scholarship: funding typically begins on 1 October 2026, or earlier if a preparatory German language course is taken first. Award periods are 10 to 24 months.
- Doctoral Programmes in Germany: applications generally open in June, with country-specific deadlines.
Expect roughly six to nine months between submitting your application and receiving a final decision for most major programs. Plan your gap year, current job notice, and visa appointment around this timeline.
Common Pitfalls
A few of the recurring reasons applicants get rejected or have files thrown out:
- Applying through the wrong country portal. Each country has a designated DAAD information centre or partner that may handle local screening. Submitting via the wrong route delays or kills the file.
- Weak motivation letter. "I want to study in Germany because it is a great country" is filler. Selection committees want to see a clear link between your past work, your proposed studies, and what you plan to do afterward.
- Vague research proposals. Doctoral applicants in particular are judged on the feasibility and originality of the proposal. A two-page generic summary will not survive.
- Missing the six-year rule. If your last degree was awarded more than six years ago, most Master's-track scholarships are closed to you. Look at EPOS or research grants instead.
- Ignoring tuition vs stipend logic. The stipend is for living costs. If you choose a private university that charges tuition not waived for DAAD scholars, you will be paying out of pocket.
- Mobile applications. The DAAD portal is not designed for phones. Half-completed submissions from mobile devices are a known source of lost data.
- Underestimating the language requirement. Even for English-taught master's programs, some German is expected for daily life. DAAD reimburses your TestDaF or DSH fee, but only after the award is issued.
- Forgetting the residency rule. If you have already been in Germany for more than 15 months on the application deadline, you are usually ineligible to apply from "country of residence" status.
FAQs
Does DAAD cover tuition fees?
DAAD does not pay tuition directly. Scholarship holders are exempt from tuition at participating institutions, and the vast majority of German public universities fall into that category.
Can I apply to more than one DAAD program?
Usually no. DAAD asks applicants to choose the single program that best matches their profile. Multiple parallel applications can lead to disqualification.
What is the acceptance rate?
DAAD does not publish official acceptance rate figures. Numbers circulating in third-party guides should be treated as estimates. Check the DAAD website directly for any official statistics.
Do I need to speak German?
For English-taught master's programs, no, though basic German helps with daily life. For doctoral research, it depends on your supervisor and field. EPOS courses are typically taught in English. DAAD will fund a preparatory German language course of 2, 4, or 6 months when relevant.
Can I bring my family?
DAAD offers family allowances for some programs if your spouse or children join you in Germany for the duration of the scholarship. Conditions vary, so read the program-specific rules.
What if I already live in Germany?
You can apply only if you have been in Germany for 15 months or less by the application deadline. Beyond that, you are generally classified as a domestic applicant and DAAD's international tracks no longer apply.
Is there an age limit?
No general age limit. The binding constraint is usually the six-year window since your most recent degree.
Can I do my program online or part-time?
No. DAAD does not fund part-time or online programs. Your study or research must be in-person and full-time.
Before You Submit
A few practical points that are not about the scholarship itself but will save you grief later:
- Sort out finding accommodation in Germany early. University-provided housing is limited and most international students rent in WGs (shared apartments).
- Once your award letter arrives, look into opening a bank account in Germany. You will need one to receive your monthly stipend.
- If DAAD does not fit your profile, look at other international scholarships such as MEXT in Japan or Chevening in the UK. The application logic is similar.
Germany rewards applicants who are organized, specific, and patient. Treat the DAAD application as a professional dossier, not a college essay, and your odds improve sharply.
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