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Writer's pictureOmran Aburayya

DAAD Scholarships 2026 | An Ultimate Guide to The DAAD Scholarships and Research Grants

Embarking on a journey to study or research in Germany? Feeling lost and overwhelmed by the myriad of information about DAAD Scholarships? Don't worry, we've got you covered!

Our comprehensive guide to DAAD Scholarships is your one-stop resource for everything you need to know. From eligibility criteria and application processes to the incredible benefits awaiting you, this guide covers all the essential details to help you seize this prestigious opportunity.


The DAAD Scholarships, offered by the German Academic Exchange Service (Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst), are among the most prestigious and sought-after scholarships for international students and researchers who contemplate pursuing quality education.

The DAAD Scholarships are designed to promote international academic exchange and cooperation. They support students, researchers, and academics from around the world to pursue studies, research, and internships in Germany. The scholarships are available for various levels of education, from undergraduate studies to doctoral research, and cover a wide range of academic disciplines.


🕵🏻ℹ️ Now, let's plunge into the nitty-gritty details and uncover all there is to know about these incredible opportunities!

 

Types of DAAD Scholarships

1. DAAD Study Scholarships - Master Studies for All Academic Disciplines


This scholarship programme offers you the opportunity to continue your academic education in Germany with a postgraduate course of study. The scholarships are funded by the German Federal Foreign Office.


-Eligibility: Generally must hold a relevant Bachelor's degree. As a rule, not more than 6 years should have passed since the completion of the last academic degree


-Study Fields: Master's degree programmes at German Higher Education Institutes


-Duration: The scholarships are awarded for the duration of the standard period of study for the chosen programme (up to a maximum of 24 months).


-Benefits: Covers tuition fees, monthly stipend, travel expenses, health insurance, and study/research allowance. (Don't worry! We'll give you details about Benefits In separate section below.)


-Application Deadline: Applications Typically start early February and runs until August 31st for programs that start Autumn of next year.


-General Application Guidelines

Generally, the application process and documentations vary slightly by your country of origin.

To check your country-specific requirements and documents, navigate to this official webpage of DAAD Master's Scholarships, click on 'Application procedure' button, choose your country and you'll be redirected to your country of origin specific required documents and application procedure.


🌐 Access the official webpage of DAAD Study Scholarships - Master Studies for All Academic Disciplines Scholarships by clicking button below.

 

2. DAAD Scholarships for Postgraduate Courses with Relevance to Developing Countries (DAAD EPOS):


These scholarships are aimed at graduates from developing countries who have at least two years of professional experience. The scholarships offer the opportunity to take postgraduate courses at German universities, leading to a master's or Ph.D. degree. The main goal is to train professionals and future leaders in their field who can then return to their home countries to contribute to their development.


-Fields of Study: Includes economics, engineering, education, environmental sciences, public health, and more.


-Duration: Typically 12 to 24 months for master's programs and 36 months for Ph.D. programs.


- Benefits: Covers tuition fees, monthly stipend, travel expenses, health insurance, and study/research allowance.


-Application Deadline: Generally between January and March for the academic year starting in autumn.


ℹ️ Access Our Complete Guide to the DAAD•EPOS Scholarships in the Link below:


🌐 Access the official webpage of DAAD•EPOS Scholarships by clicking button below.

 

3. DAAD Research Grants

These grants support doctoral candidates, young scientists, and researchers from various fields to conduct research or continue their education in Germany. The grants are intended for individual research projects or Ph.D. programs at German institutions.


- Duration: Ranges from 1 to 3 years.


- Benefits: Includes monthly stipend, travel expenses, health insurance, and research allowances.


- Application Deadline: Generally between February and April for the academic year starting in autumn.


🌐 Access the official webpage of DAAD Research Grants webpage by clicking button below.

 

4. Helmut-Schmidt-Programme (Master’s Scholarships for Public Policy and Good Governance - PPGG)


This program supports future leaders in public policy and governance, offering master's scholarships in politically and socially relevant fields. It targets highly qualified graduates who have demonstrated leadership potential.


-Eligibility: Usually, Graduates from developing and emerging countries (Bachelor or equivalent) with a well-qualified first university degree in Social and Political Sciences, Law, Economics, Public Policy and Administration.


- Fields of Study: Master's | Political sciences, law, economics, and governance.


- Duration: Typically 12 to 24 months.


- Benefits: Covers tuition fees, monthly stipend, travel expenses, health insurance, and study/research allowance.


- Application Deadline: Usually around February to March.


-Participating Universities and Study Programs


📂 For more info, Download this PDF Flyer [Master's Scholarships for Public Policy and Good Governance] and;


🌐 Access the official Website of the DAAD Helmut-Schmidt-Programme clicking button below.

 

5. RISE Germany (Research Internships in Science and Engineering)


The DAAD RISE Germany offers summer research internships in Germany to undergraduate students from North America, the UK, and Ireland. Interns work with researchers at universities and top research institutions.


- Fields of Study:

Biology, chemistry, physics, engineering, and related fields.


- Duration: Typically 6 to 12 weeks during the summer.


- Benefits: Includes a monthly stipend, travel allowance, and health insurance.


- Application Deadline:

Generally between January and March.


🌐 Access the official webpage of the RISE Germany Research Internships - DAAD by clicking button below.

 

6. DAAD Study Scholarships for Foreign Graduates in the Fields of Fine Arts, Design, Visual Communication, and Film.


This scholarship programme offers you the opportunity to continue your education in Germany with a postgraduate or complementary course of study in the fields of Fine Art, Design, Visual Communication and Film. The scholarships also promote the exchange of experience and networking amongst colleagues.


-Eligibility: Applicants must hold a bachelor's degree or equivalent in the relevant field and have a strong portfolio of work.


- Duration: Typically 10 to 24 months.


- Benefits: Covers tuition fees, monthly stipend, travel expenses, health insurance, and study or research allowance.


- Application Deadline: Generally between January and March.


🌐 Access the official webpage of DAAD Study Scholarships for Foreign Graduates in the Fields of Fine Arts, Design, Visual Communication, and Film by clicking button below.

 

7. DAAD Leadership for Africa (LFA) Programme for Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, Uganda: Master's Degree Scholarships in Germany


The scholarship programme “Leadership for Africa” (LfA) aims to support the academic qualification and advancement of young refugees and national scholars from Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, and Uganda at higher education institutions in Germany. In times of conflicts and displacement in various African countries, this programme intends to contribute to the education of future leaders, who will be essential for the further development of their home countries. “Leadership for Africa” offers scholarships for Master studies in Germany


-Eligibility:

  1. A Citizen and current resident of either Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, or Uganda; OR

  2. Holding refugee status in their host countries, being granted before 2nd of April, 2023

  3. Country of asylum must be either Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, or Uganda

  4. Completed Bachelor’s degree at the time of application


-Study Fields: All all fields of study available except for (medicine, veterinary medicine, dentistry, law, fine arts and architecture).


-Duration: The duration of funding is determined by the standard period of study of the chosen programme. In general, eligible master’s programmes require two years of full-time study.


-Benefits:

Benefits: Covers tuition fees, monthly stipend, travel expenses, health insurance, and study or research allowance, and German language course (up to 6 months) in Germany before the start of the study programme, including the coverage of the test fees for a German language certificate (TestDaF or DSH test), pocket money and accommodation (only during the language course).


🌐 Access the official webpage of DAAD Leadership for Africa Programme by clicking button below.

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DAAD General Eligibility Criteria

1. Academic Excellence: Applicants must demonstrate outstanding academic achievements and meet the admission requirements for their chosen program in Germany.


2. Degree: Applicants should hold a bachelor's degree or equivalent for master's programs and a master's degree or equivalent for doctoral programs.


3. Language Proficiency: Proficiency in German or English, depending on the program and institution.


4. Nationality: Open to international students from all countries, with some scholarships specifically targeting students from developing and emerging countries.


5. Age: There are no specific age restrictions, but applicants should be in the early stages of their academic or professional careers.

 

DAAD Scholarships Benefits

DAAD Scholarships are fully funded scholarship that offers awardees the following benefits that can vary slightly by program.


1. Financial Support:

  • Monthly stipend (currently around €934 for students and €1,300 for doctoral/PhD students) and a flat-rate travel allowance.

  • Health Insurance: Coverage for health insurance is included.

  • Travel allowance

  • Yearly study/research allowance


Under certain circumstances, you can apply for the following additional benefits after start of funding:

  • Monthly rent subsidy

  • Monthly allowance for accompanying family members (spouse and/or children)

  • In case of a disability or chronic illness: on application, a subsidy may be provided for justified additional costs.


2. Language Courses

To allow you to improve your language skills in preparation for your stay in Germany, the DAAD offers the following benefits:

  • Payment of course fees for an online language course after receipt of the Scholarship Award Letter

  • if necessary: German language course (2, 4 or 6 months) before the start of the study visit in Germany; the DAAD decides whether to fund participation and for how long depending on German language skills and project. Participation in a language course is compulsory if the study programme is taught in German.

  • Allowance for a personally chosen German language course during the scholarship period

  • Reimbursement of the fee for a TestDaF or DSH test, which you can take either in your home country after you have received your Letter of Award or in Germany during your funding period.


3. Cutting Edge Research Resources

Scholars have the chance to access cutting-edge research resources and to advanced research facilities.

 

DAAD General Application Process

  1. Register for a Program: Applicants must first register for a program at a German university or research institution.

  2. Prepare Application Documents: The application must include a single PDF file containing all required documents, such as a CV, motivation letter, academic transcripts, and letters of recommendation.

  3. Submit Application: Submit the application through the DAAD application portal by the specified deadline (sometimes you'll also need to send application documents by post)

  4. Selection Process: Applications are reviewed by independent and voluntary selection committees, which assess the professional qualifications, quality of the study or research project, and the potential of the applicant. Special circumstances (e.g., disability) may be taken into account.

 

Tips for a Successful Application

1. Start Early: Begin the application process well in advance to ensure all documents are prepared and submitted on time.


2. Tailor Your Application: Customize your motivation letter and CV to highlight your academic achievements, research interests, and career goals.


3. Seek Recommendations: Obtain strong letters of recommendation from academic or professional references who can speak to your qualifications and potential.


4. Follow Instructions: Carefully read and follow the application instructions and requirements for your chosen scholarship program. Usually there is an attached PDF file for application process and everything related to it, it is highly recommended to read those files thoroughly because Navigating the DAAD Application System and requirements can sometimes be overwhelming and daunting, so, take your time and carefully read all available instructions.


5. Prepare for Interviews:

Some programs may require an interview as part of the selection process. Practice your responses to common interview questions and be ready to discuss your research interests and goals.

 

Further Information

If you need more Information and answers to questions about DAAD application conditions, requirements and the selection procedure, you can visit this Q&A Section.


Finally, The list of DAAD Scholarships we provided here is not exhaustive, and eligibility criteria and requirements can vary depending on each programme, to each program there are specific requirements.

There are numerous DAAD scholarships you can check on the official DAAD Scholarships Database linked in the button below, where you can also find additional information you need.


And that's all Folks! I hope you find this guide helpful. If you find it so, please do share it with your friends and spread the word!


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