DAAD Scholarship 2025-2026: Fully Funded Masters and PhD in Germany

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Are you an international student looking to pursue graduate studies in Germany? The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) offers a prestigious fully funded scholarship program for masters and doctoral studies at top German universities.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about the DAAD Scholarship 2025-2026, including benefits, eligibility criteria, and how to apply.

Table of Contents

DAAD Scholarship Overview

The DAAD Scholarship is a development-oriented postgraduate study program offered by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) for international students from developing and newly industrialized countries. Here are the key details:

Level of Study: Masters and PhD
Host Institutions: German state-recognized universities
Program Duration:
12 to 24 months for Master’s programs
42 months for PhD programs
Study Years: 2025-2026
Supporting Organization: Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ)

Benefits of the DAAD Scholarship

The DAAD Scholarship provides comprehensive funding that includes:

Monthly Stipend: 934 euros for masters students and 1,300 euros for PhD candidates
Health Insurance: Payments towards health, accident, and personal liability insurance
Travel Allowance: Unless these expenses are covered by the home country or another source of funding
One-off Study Allowance: Additional financial support for study-related expenses
Additional Benefits: Under certain circumstances, scholarship holders may receive a monthly rent subsidy and a monthly allowance for accompanying family members

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for the DAAD Scholarship, applicants must meet the following criteria:

Required Languages: English or German, depending on the program requirements. For English-taught programs, an IELTS overall score of 6 or TOEFL scores of 550 (paper-based), 213 (computer-based), or 80 (internet-based) are required. For German-taught programs, a DSH 2 or TestDaF certificate is necessary
Eligible Countries: Applicants must be from eligible developing countries (check the list of eligible countries on the DAAD website)
Educational Background: A Bachelor’s degree (usually a four-year course) in a relevant field for masters applicants, and a Master’s degree for PhD applicants. Academic degrees obtained no more than six years ago are preferred
Professional Experience: At least two years of relevant professional experience after completing the bachelor’s degree
Motivation: Candidates must demonstrate development-related motivation and be expected to take on social responsibility and initiate and support processes of change in their personal and professional environment after their training/scholarship

Available Specializations

The DAAD EPOS Scholarships are available in various development-related fields, including:

Economic Sciences, Law
Agricultural and Forest Sciences
Art, Design
Engineering and Natural Sciences
Humanities and Social Sciences
Language and Cultural Studies
Mathematics, Natural Sciences
Medicine, Health Sciences
See the complete list of available Postgraduate Courses.

Application Deadlines

The application deadlines vary depending on the chosen study program. please check deadlines here.

How to Apply

To apply for the DAAD Scholarship, follow these steps:

Choose Suitable Courses: Select up to three eligible postgraduate courses from the list of available programs.
Apply to Universities: Apply directly to the universities offering those courses. Each university has its own application deadlines and requirements.
Submit Required Documents: Include the following documents with your application:

Signed DAAD application form with current date
Personally signed CV (use the Europass format)
Personally signed motivation letter (concerning current occupation and choice of postgraduate program(s), two pages maximum)
Letter of recommendation from your current employer with letterhead, signature, and official stamp
Certificate(s) of Employment from the employer(s) that proves a minimum of two years of relevant working experience
Proof of Language Skills (English or German)
Copies of Academic Degrees and Transcripts (certified translation if necessary)
Applicants from the People’s Republic of China are asked to submit an APS Certificate

Selection Process: Universities will nominate candidates for DAAD Scholarships. DAAD will contact the suggested applicants to upload their complete application to the DAAD Portal. The selection process will be finalized, and the suggested candidates will be informed accordingly.

Additional Information

Application Process: The complete applications have to be submitted in English or German to be considered. Some courses may require additional documents, so it is essential to check the relevant course description in the brochure and on the respective websites.
Language Training: An intensive German course (2-6 months) is offered by DAAD for both English and German-taught programs.

Why Study in Germany?

Germany is a highly sought-after destination for international students due to its:

Quality Institutions: Germany has some of the best-ranked universities in Western Europe, with many institutions listed in global rankings.
No Tuition Fees: Studying undergraduate in Germany is free, and many postgraduate programs also offer free or low-cost tuition.
Job Opportunities: After graduation, international students can stay up to 18 months to look for a job, and many universities have excellent links with companies for internships and placements.
Quality of Life: Germany offers a rich cultural experience, safe and reliable public transport, and a vibrant urban life.
International Environment: With many university programs taught in English and no tuition fees, Germany attracts international students from all over the world, making it a multicultural hub.