If you are interested in pursuing your studies in Germany with the support of a scholarship, this presents an excellent opportunity for you. This article will provide a comprehensive overview of the DAAD scholarship, including its advantages and a detailed guide to the application process.
The DAAD Scholarship for the academic year 2025-2026 is a fully funded opportunity available to international students seeking to undertake a master’s or PhD program at prestigious German universities. The scholarship offers monthly stipends of 934 euros for master’s students and 1,300 euros for doctoral candidates.
Highly skilled professionals, connected with global partners, play a crucial role in the sustainable development of their nations. They serve as the best assurance for a brighter future characterized by reduced poverty, enhanced education, and improved health for all. Through its development-focused postgraduate programs, the DAAD fosters the training of specialists from both developed and emerging industrial nations.
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.
Eligibility Criteria for DAAD Scholarship 2026
To be eligible for DAAD Scholarship 2026 for Masters and PhD 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 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.
Required Documents for DAAD Scholarship 2026
- Personally signed CV 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 current date (not in a sealed envelope)
- Certificate(s) of Employment from the employer(s) that proves 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.
How to Apply
To apply for the DAAD Scholarship for a Master and PhD in Germany please follow the following step-by-step application procedure:
- To apply, visit the page to Submit your application
- if you are interested and qualified. For additional information, check out the official link
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