DAAD Scholarships (Germany): How to Apply

DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service) is Germany's organisation for international academic exchange and offers hundreds of scholarship programmes for international students, graduates, PhD candidates and researchers. There is no single "DAAD scholarship", each programme in the DAAD scholarship database has its own purpose, eligibility, documents and deadline. A key rule for many programme-specific awards (for example the Development-Related Postgraduate Courses, EPOS): applications go directly to the chosen course or university, not to DAAD.

Administered by: German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), the German federal funding organisation

Written by Zain Aqdas, Founder and lead researcher, Scholarships AtlasLast updated 3 September 2026

What it covers

A monthly stipend (value depends on the programme and study level)
Insurance benefits (health, accident and personal liability)
Travel allowance in many programmes
Tuition-fee support in specific programmes (many German public universities charge no or low tuition)

Eligibility

Varies by programme, most require a relevant bachelor's (typically at least four years) and demonstrable academic performance
Many programmes target students from developing or newly-industrialised countries
Language: German and/or English depending on the course of study
Return to your home country after the scholarship period for many programme-specific awards

Application — step by step

1
Search the DAAD scholarship database
Start at the official DAAD scholarship database and filter by your country, subject and degree to find the programmes you are eligible for. Each entry states its exact purpose, funding, requirements and deadline.
2
Read the programme's specific application instructions
Open the detail page for your chosen programme. Read the DAAD 'information for applicants' guidance, which sets out application conditions, requirements and the selection procedure.
3
Submit via the programme's required route
Applications are submitted online through the DAAD portal for most programmes. For programme-specific awards like the Development-Related Postgraduate Courses (EPOS), applications must be sent to the course or university directly. DAAD does not forward applications sent to it. Confirm which route your programme uses on its detail page.
4
Prepare the required documents
Typical documents include the completed online application form, a CV, a study/research proposal or motivation letter, proof of language proficiency, academic certificates/transcripts, and references. The exact list is always stated on the programme's page.
5
Selection
A selection committee reviews applications; this may include an interview, and may be organised jointly with other-funding partners.
6
Award & travel to Germany
Successful applicants are notified with the grant terms and begin their study/research in Germany.

Typical documents needed

DAAD online application form (per programme)
Curriculum vitae
Study / research proposal or motivation statement
Language-proficiency certificates (German and/or English)
Academic degree certificates and transcripts with translations if needed
References / letters of recommendation where the programme asks

Annual cycle

Dates move every year — always confirm on the official portal before planning around them.

Varies per programme: Deadlines are set per scholarship, often 6-12 months before the study period
Confirm on the database: Always check the exact deadline on the programme's DAAD database page
Following year / semester: Scholarship period begins in Germany

Start your application

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DAAD Scholarships (Germany): How to Apply

Administered by: German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), the German federal funding organisation

Written by Zain Aqdas, Founder and lead researcher, Scholarships AtlasLast updated 3 September 2026

Eligibility

Varies by programme, most require a relevant bachelor's (typically at least four years) and demonstrable academic performance

Many programmes target students from developing or newly-industrialised countries

Language: German and/or English depending on the course of study

Return to your home country after the scholarship period for many programme-specific awards

Application — step by step

Search the DAAD scholarship database

Start at the official DAAD scholarship database and filter by your country, subject and degree to find the programmes you are eligible for. Each entry states its exact purpose, funding, requirements and deadline.

Read the programme's specific application instructions

Open the detail page for your chosen programme. Read the DAAD 'information for applicants' guidance, which sets out application conditions, requirements and the selection procedure.

Submit via the programme's required route

Applications are submitted online through the DAAD portal for most programmes. For programme-specific awards like the Development-Related Postgraduate Courses (EPOS), applications must be sent to the course or university directly. DAAD does not forward applications sent to it. Confirm which route your programme uses on its detail page.

Prepare the required documents

Typical documents include the completed online application form, a CV, a study/research proposal or motivation letter, proof of language proficiency, academic certificates/transcripts, and references. The exact list is always stated on the programme's page.

Selection

A selection committee reviews applications; this may include an interview, and may be organised jointly with other-funding partners.

Award & travel to Germany

Successful applicants are notified with the grant terms and begin their study/research in Germany.

Typical documents needed

DAAD online application form (per programme)

Curriculum vitae

Study / research proposal or motivation statement

Language-proficiency certificates (German and/or English)

Academic degree certificates and transcripts with translations if needed

References / letters of recommendation where the programme asks

Annual cycle

Dates move every year — always confirm on the official portal before planning around them.

Varies per programme

Deadlines are set per scholarship, often 6-12 months before the study period

Confirm on the database

Always check the exact deadline on the programme's DAAD database page

Following year / semester

Scholarship period begins in Germany