Germany Scholarships 2026 | Fully Funded DAAD Scholarship for Masters and PhD Degree for International Students | DAAD Scholarship Application Process 2026
If you are looking to study in Germany with a scholarship, then this is a great opportunity for you. In this article, we will explain in detail about the DAAD scholarship, its benefits, and the step-by-step application procedure. DAAD Scholarship 2026-2027 is a fully funded scholarship for international students. This scholarship is available to pursue a master’s or a PhD at the top German Universities. DAAD scholarships cover monthly payments of 992 euros for graduates or 1,400 euros for doctoral candidates.
Well-trained experts, who are networked with international partners, play an important part in the sustainable development of their countries. They are the best guarantee for a better future with less poverty, more education, and health for all. With its development-oriented postgraduate study programs, the DAAD promotes the training of specialists from developed and newly industrialized countries.
The scholarships offer foreign graduates from developed and newly industrialized countries from all disciplines the chance to take a postgraduate or Master’s degree at a state or state-recognized German university, and in exceptional cases to take a doctoral degree, and to obtain a university qualification (Master’s/PhD) in Germany
DAAD Scholarship 2026 Summary
- Level of Study: Doctoral (PhD) / Masters
- Institution: DAAD
- Deadline: (January 15,2025 summer) & (July 15 2025 Fall Semester)
- Study in: Germany
- Courses Offered:
- Program Period: Between 12 and 36 months, depending on the length of the chosen study program.
- DAAD Scholarship Deadline: Depending on the chosen study program, please check deadlines here
DAAD Scholarship Coverage
DAAD Scholarship 2026 for Master’s and PhD in Germany provides the recipient with the following benefits
- Depending on academic level, monthly payments of 992 euros for graduates or 1,400 euros for doctoral candidates.
- Travel allowance, unless these expenses are covered by the home country or another source of funding
- Payments towards health, accident, and personal liability insurance cover.
- One-off study allowance.
Under certain circumstances, scholarship holders may receive the following additional benefits:
- Monthly rent subsidy
- Monthly allowance for accompanying members of the family
Eligibility Criteria for DAAD Scholarship 2026
To be eligible for the DAAD Scholarship 2026 for Master’s and PhD in Germany, applicants must meet the following criteria
- Required Languages: English or German.
- For international programs, the language of instruction is English. You are usually required to submit an English language certificate, e.g. TOEFL or IELTS.
- For other programs, the language of instruction is German. You are usually required to submit a German language certificate, e.g. DSH or TestDaF.
- Eligible Countries: Click here for a list of eligible developing countries.
- Candidates have a Bachelor’s degree (usually a four-year course) or a Master’s degree in an appropriate subject.
- Candidates have at least two years of professional experience.
- Candidates can prove their motivation is development-related 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.
How to Apply for the DAAD Scholarship 2026?
To apply for the DAAD Scholarship for a Master’s and PhD in Germany, please follow the following step-by-step application procedure
an you apply for more than one course under the DAAD scholarship?
You can apply for up to three courses. If applying to more than one course, please list courses in order of priority in the DAAD application forms (see 7. Choice of host university/institution in Germany), and do not change the priorities in the application form
Required Documents for DAAD Scholarship 2026
- Signed the DAAD application form with the current date
- Personally signed CV (please use the sample Europass form at http://europass.cedefop.europa.eu/) with the current date
- Personally signed Letter of Motivation (concerning current occupation and choice of postgraduate program(s), two pages maximum) with the current date.IMPORTANT: When applying for more than one postgraduate course (maximum 3 courses), you have to submit one motivation letter explaining why you are applying for these specific courses and why you chose that priority.
- Letter of recommendation from your current employer; the letter must have letterhead, a signature, and an official stamp and must be of the current date (not in a sealed envelope)
- Certificate(s) of Employment from the employer(s) that prove a minimum of two years of relevant working experience (after the bachelor’s degree) at the time of application, and if possible, a guarantee of re-employment from your current employer upon returning home.
- Proof of Language Skills:
- English – IELTS or TOEFL (Note: The institutional TOEFL is not accepted)
- German – Required for courses taught in German
- Copies of Academic Degrees (certified translation if necessary)
- Copies of Academic Transcripts, including grading scale (certified translation if necessary)
- Applicants from the People’s Republic of China are asked to submit an APS Certificate with their application documents.
Step-by-Step Application and Selection Procedure for DAAD Scholarship
- Choose suitable courses of your interest. (You can apply for a maximum of three courses)
- Apply to universities offering those courses.
- You send your complete application(s) (with the above documents) directly to the universities.
- A selection committee suggests potential candidates for a DAAD scholarship.
- The suggested candidates will be contacted by DAAD to upload their complete application to the DAAD Portal. (The link to the DAAD Portal will be provided by DAAD through email)
- The selection process will be finalized, and the suggested candidates will be informed accordingly.