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DAAD Scholarships

Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst — German Academic Exchange Service

Germany's official academic exchange organization. The broadest scholarship portfolio for international students: 166+ programs, every level from bachelor to professor.

Overview Bachelor Master PhD Postdoc Summer School Arts Application Turkey Office

What is DAAD, why is it important?

DAAD (Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst) was founded in 1925 and is the world's largest academic exchange organization. Funded by the German federal government, it is an independent academic bridge. The most trusted and comprehensive scholarship source for international students.

166+

Scholarship programs

100K+

Scholarships awarded annually

€650M

Annual budget

2.670€

Max monthly (postdoc)

What does it cover?

All costs from DAAD: stipend + health insurance + travel + research allowance

Is it repayable?

No — it is a grant (non-repayable). The only condition: stay in Germany and complete the program.

Bachelor Scholarships

Important: DAAD generally does not award direct scholarships to new bachelor students. Comprehensive options are limited for international students at the bachelor stage — alternatives below.

DAAD Going Abroad Exchange

Target: One or two semesters of exchange in Germany while studying bachelor at your home university. Duration: 1-2 semesters · Amount: 850-1,000 €/month + travel

HAW.International — Applied Sciences Exchange

Target: Internship/exchange for applied sciences (Fachhochschule) students. Duration: 3-12 months · Amount: 1,075 €/month + accommodation

Alternative: Erasmus+ Programme

If your home university has an Erasmus+ agreement, apply via Erasmus. The most practical path for bachelor. erasmus-plus.ec.europa.eu

Master Scholarships

DAAD's most active scholarship category. The most realistic application route for international students. Monthly 934 € + health insurance + travel + 460 € research allowance.

Study Scholarships for Foreign Graduates (All fields)

The main DAAD scholarship for foreign bachelor graduates. Open to all fields.

  • Duration: 12-24 months (until master is completed)
  • Amount: 934 €/month + 460 €/year research allowance
  • Plus: Health insurance, travel allowance, language course (free)
  • Deadline: October/November (for autumn intake)
  • Requirement: Final-year bachelor or graduate (max 6 years ago), B1+ German or B2+ English

Helmut-Schmidt-Programme (Public Policy & Good Governance)

Elite program for those who want to become leaders in public policy, democracy, economy. Limited quota, highly competitive.

  • Duration: 24 months (full master)
  • Amount: 934 €/month + extra grant
  • Target: Citizens of developing/transition countries
  • Deadline: July

EPOS — Development-Related Postgraduate Courses

Specific master programs for developing countries (development, engineering, health, environment). English master programs at 45+ German universities.

  • Duration: 12-24 months
  • Amount: 934 €/month + travel + research + family allowance
  • Programs: Renewable Energy, Public Health, Tropical Agriculture, etc.
  • Deadline: Program-specific — usually September-October

DAAD-WHO Scholarship — Public Health

For a master in public health in cooperation with WHO. Priority for health professionals.

  • Duration: 12-24 months · Amount: 934 €/month + tuition

Music Scholarships — Performing Arts

Master/diploma programs for music, composition, opera, dance.

  • Duration: 12-24 months · Amount: 934 €/month + artist materials allowance
  • Requirement: Audition / portfolio mandatory

PhD (Doctoral) Scholarships

Doctoral level is DAAD's flagship category. Monthly 1,300 € and above, for 3-4 years. Comprehensive options for those who want to pursue a doctorate from abroad.

Research Grants — Doctoral Programmes in Germany

For international researchers who want to do a full PhD in Germany. All scientific fields.

  • Duration: 3-4 years
  • Amount: 1,300 €/month + 460 €/year printing + health + travel + 1,000 € family allowance (if applicable)
  • Deadline: Usually November
  • Requirement: Master graduate, acceptance letter from target professor, research proposal

Bi-nationally Supervised Doctoral Degree (Co-tutelle)

Continue your PhD at your home university + work with a co-supervisor in Germany. Dual degree.

  • Duration: Total 36 months (at least 18 months in Germany)
  • Amount: 1,300 €/month (in Germany)
  • Advantage: Joint supervisor + diploma in two countries

Research Grants — One-Year Grants for Doctoral Candidates

If you are doing a PhD at home, one year of research in Germany. Archive/laboratory access for your thesis.

  • Duration: 7-10 months · Amount: 1,300 €/month

Research Grants — Short-Term Grants (1-6 Months)

Short-term research stay — fieldwork, archive research, conference.

  • Duration: 1-6 months · Amount: 1,300 €/month

Postdoc & Academic Scholarships

The highest-amount DAAD scholarships for post-doctoral researchers — starting from 2,150 €/month.

Research Stays for University Academics & Scientists

1-3 month research stay in Germany for academics working at a foreign university.

  • Duration: 1-3 months · Amount: 2,150 €/month (lecturer) or 2,500 €/month (professor)

DAAD PRIME — Postdoctoral Researchers International Mobility

For those who want to do a postdoc abroad and return to Germany, or vice versa. Hybrid model.

  • Duration: 18 months (12 months abroad + 6 months in Germany)
  • Amount: Like salaried employee in Germany, ~3,500 €/month net

Alexander von Humboldt Foundation Postdoc

Close partner with DAAD. The most prestigious German postdoc scholarship.

  • Duration: 6-24 months · Amount: 2,670 €/month + research support + travel
  • Requirement: PhD obtained within the last 4 years, international publications

Summer School & Short-Term

For a short Germany experience. Language + culture + academic content for 3-4 weeks.

University Summer Course Grants (Hochschulsommerkurse)

3-4 week German + academic course at a German university during summer months.

  • Duration: 3-4 weeks (June-September) · Amount: 1,075 € + course fee included + travel
  • Target: Bachelor 2nd-year+ students · Deadline: December

DAAD-RISE Worldwide — Engineering/Science Internship

Summer internship for engineering, natural sciences, IT bachelor students. You are matched with PhD candidates.

  • Duration: 6-12 weeks · Amount: 750 €/month + travel + accommodation

WISE — Working Internships in Science & Engineering

For North American students. DAAD-RISE is more suitable from other regions.

German Language Course Grants

Intensive German summer course — Goethe-Institut or university language centers.

  • Duration: 8 weeks · Amount: 1,075 € + course fee

Arts, Architecture & Film

DAAD's art-focused programs for creative disciplines.

Study Scholarships for Graduates of Fine Arts, Architecture, Music, Performing Arts

For master/postgraduate in fine arts, architecture, music, performing arts.

  • Duration: 10-24 months · Amount: 934 €/month + artist materials allowance + travel
  • Requirement: Portfolio + audition + acceptance from arts universities

Berlinale Talents — Film Sector

6-day workshop at the Berlin Film Festival for young film professionals.

Application Process — Step by Step

1

Choose program + check eligibility

Use filters on DAAD Scholarship Database: Country, level (Bachelor/Master/PhD), subject group. Read eligibility requirements carefully.

2

Start 12-15 months in advance

Most programs' deadline is 12-15 months before the start date. For autumn 2026 intake, apply in October/November 2025.

3

Gather documents

  • Bachelor/master diploma + transcript (apostilled)
  • CV (Europass format preferred)
  • Motivation letter (2-3 pages — why Germany, why this program)
  • 2-3 recommendation letters (professor/employer)
  • Language certificate: TestDaF / DSH (German) or TOEFL / IELTS (English)
  • For Master+: acceptance letter from target professor (mandatory for research grants)
  • Research proposal (for PhD/postdoc, 5-15 pages)
4

Online application via DAAD Portal

Upload all documents as PDF via portal.daad.de. Be careful, the deadline is strict.

5

Interview (selection committee)

Those who pass pre-evaluation are interviewed at the local DAAD office. In German or English. Preparation: your research proposal, future plan, why DAAD.

6

Result — 3-4 months later

Result notification by email. If accepted: acceptance letter for visa application (replaces Sperrkonto). If rejected: apply again next term, you can request feedback.

Source: DAAD official site · DAAD Stipendienprogramme 2022 PDF · Updated: 2025

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