DAAD Scholarship Germany 2026/2027: The Complete Guide

Updated: August 16, 2026 | Reading time: 10 min | Written by: StudyTribune Team

That last point trips up more applicants than anything else, so it’s worth sitting with before you go further: DAAD isn’t one scholarship you apply to once. It’s an umbrella over dozens of separate programs, each with its own eligibility rules, deadlines, and application route. This guide covers how the system works and which program actually fits your situation, with full standalone walkthroughs available for the biggest individual programs.

What Is the DAAD scholarship Germany?

DAAD (Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst — the German Academic Exchange Service) is Germany’s national agency for funding international academic exchange. It runs scholarship programs for students, doctoral candidates, and researchers from almost every country in the world, covering study, research stays, and — in some cases — internships in Germany.

DAAD scholarships are grants, not loans. You don’t pay them back. Depending on the program, funding typically includes:

• A monthly stipend
• Contributions toward health, accident, and personal liability insurance
• A travel allowance
• In some programs, a research allowance, rent subsidy, or family allowance
• In some programs, a funded German language course before your studies start

Who Can Actually Apply — Including the Bachelor’s Degree Question

This is the single most common point of confusion, so it gets answered directly: DAAD does not offer a general scholarship for full bachelor’s degrees in Germany. DAAD funding is aimed primarily at graduates, doctoral candidates, and postdocs — people who already hold a first university degree.

If you’re currently an undergraduate, you’re not shut out entirely, but your options look different from what most “DAAD scholarship for undergraduates” content implies:

• Summer and language courses — short, funded courses for current bachelor’s students to study in Germany for a few weeks
• RISE Germany — funded research internships for undergraduates from the US, UK, Canada, and Ireland in science and engineering fields
• Gilman-DAAD Germany Scholarships — for US Pell Grant recipients doing a study or internship term in Germany, not a full degree

If you’re aiming for a full, fully funded degree in Germany, the realistic path is to finish your bachelor’s first, then apply for one of the master’s-level programs below.

The Main DAAD Scholarship Programs (Master’s, PhD, and Postdoc)

Rather than one generic scholarship, DAAD runs targeted programs. Here are the ones most applicants are actually looking for:

DAAD EPOS (Development-Related Postgraduate Courses)

For students and professionals from developing and emerging economies pursuing a master’s or, in some cases, a PhD in a development-related field (economics, public health, engineering, agriculture, and more). Applicants typically need at least two years of relevant professional experience. Applications go directly to the individual master’s program, not to DAAD, and deadlines run from roughly August through November each year depending on the course. A full EPOS breakdown is planned as a companion guide.

DAAD Helmut Schmidt Programme (Public Policy and Good Governance)

A master’s-level scholarship for future leaders in public policy, law, economics, and governance from developing and emerging countries. Applications for the 2027/28 intake are open now, through July 31, 2026. See the companion document, “DAAD Helmut Schmidt Scholarship 2027,” for the full eligibility, deadline, and application breakdown.

DAAD SECAI (Zuse School of Embedded Composite AI)

A more specialized scholarship for master’s (and eventually PhD) students in AI-related fields at TU Dresden or Leipzig University, with around 20 scholarships awarded per cycle. The 2026-intake window has already closed (it ran through late June 2026), so if you’re reading this now, you’re looking at the 2027 cycle — watch for the next call for applications in spring 2027.

Rosa Luxemburg Foundation Scholarship

Listed in DAAD’s own scholarship database, but worth a clear distinction: this program is actually administered by the Rosa Luxemburg Foundation, an organization affiliated with Germany’s Die Linke party — not by DAAD directly. It funds doctoral research in Germany and looks for applicants whose work and values align with the foundation’s focus on social justice. Deadlines fall twice yearly, April 1 and October 1.

General DAAD Study Scholarships and Research Grants

Separate from the programs above, DAAD also runs broader study scholarships (often for students from industrialized countries) and research grants for doctoral candidates and postdocs of almost any nationality, funded for anywhere from a couple of months to a full doctorate.

General Eligibility Requirements

Exact requirements vary by program, but most DAAD scholarships share this baseline:

• A relevant first university degree (usually a four-year bachelor’s) for master’s-level programs, or a master’s degree for doctoral programs
• Above-average academic performance
• Your most recent degree generally not older than six years at the time of application
• Proof of English or German language proficiency (commonly IELTS 6.0–6.5 or TOEFL iBT 90+ for English-taught programs; B1 German or higher for German-taught ones). IELTS British Council
• For development-focused programs like EPOS, at least two years of relevant professional experience after your first degree
• A clear, specific motivation for how your studies connect to your professional or academic goals — generic answers are consistently cited as the reason strong applicants get rejected

How to Apply for a DAAD Scholarship — The General Process

The process differs slightly by program, but the shape is usually the same:

1. Pick a program and, where relevant, a specific course. Use the DAAD scholarship database to confirm your target program is currently open and that you meet its specific criteria.
2. Check where the application actually goes. This catches people out constantly: EPOS and Helmut Schmidt applications go directly to the university or master’s program, not to DAAD. DAAD only gets involved after the program shortlists you.
3. Gather your documents — typically a DAAD application form, motivation letter, CV in Europass format, certified degree certificates and transcripts (with translations if needed), proof of language proficiency, and a reference letter.
4. Submit before the deadline. Deadlines are program-specific and non-negotiable — see the table below.
5. Wait for shortlisting, then, if selected, upload your full documents to the DAAD portal for final review.

2026/2027 Deadlines at a Glance

Deadlines shift slightly every year — always confirm the current date on the official DAAD page for your program before you submit anything.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does DAAD fund bachelor’s degrees?

No, not as a general program. DAAD’s core scholarships are for master’s, PhD, and postdoctoral study. Undergraduates can access shorter funded opportunities like summer courses, RISE Germany, or Gilman-DAAD, but not a full bachelor’s degree.

Is IELTS mandatory for a DAAD scholarship?

For English-taught programs, yes, most require IELTS (commonly 6.0–6.5) or an equivalent like TOEFL iBT. German-taught programs instead require a German language certificate, typically B1 or higher. Always check the specific course listing, since requirements vary.

Can I apply for DAAD EPOS without two years of work experience?

Generally no — EPOS specifically requires at least two years of relevant professional experience after your first degree. Programs like the general DAAD Study Scholarship have different, sometimes less strict, experience requirements.

How many DAAD scholarships can I apply for at once?

You can apply to more than one program, but within a single program like EPOS or Helmut Schmidt, you’re typically limited to ranking two or three courses on one application, not submitting unlimited separate applications.

Is the DAAD scholarship fully funded?

Most of the flagship programs (EPOS, Helmut Schmidt, general Study Scholarships) are fully funded — stipend, insurance, and travel allowance included. Always check the specific program’s benefits page, since smaller or regional programs can differ.

This guide is updated as DAAD announces new deadlines each cycle. For the most current details, always cross-check the official DAAD scholarship database before submitting an application.