Scholarship Guides DAAD Scholarships (Germany): How to Apply
Germany · Application Guide
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 30 October 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