DAAD Postgraduate Scholarships in Germany for International Students 2025/2026

DAAD is the world’s largest funding organization for the international exchange of students and scientists seeking scholarship. Find out here what drives us and what we stand for.

Since its founding in 1925, the DAAD has supported around 2.9 million academics at home and abroad. It is supported as an association by German universities and student bodies. Its activities go far beyond awarding scholarships: The DAAD promotes the internationalization of German universities, strengthens German studies and the German language abroad, supports countries in the Global South in establishing high-performance universities and advises on education, foreign science and development policy.

With its development-related postgraduate courses, the DAAD promotes the training of specialists from developing and emerging countries. Well-trained local professionals who are networked with international partners play an important role 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. The scholarships offer foreign graduates from developing and emerging countries in all academic subjects and at least two years of professional experience the opportunity to complete a postgraduate or master’s degree, or in exceptional cases also a doctoral degree, at a state or state-recognized German university and to obtain a university degree in Germany (master/ PhD).

Programmes

Masters
PhD

Targeted Countries

All Developing Countries listed on the OECD-DAC

Location

Germany

Duration

12 to 42 months (depending on the course of study and degree)

Eligibility Criteria for the Scholarship

To be eligible for the scholarship, applicant must be:

Graduates with at least two years of professional experience from the developing countries listed on the OECD-DAC
Works either for a public authority or state or private company in a developing country and, as such, is engaged in the planning and execution of directives and projects with emphasis on development policies having a bearing on technological, economic or social areas.
Candidates with a bachelor’s degree (usually four years) in the related subject
Candidates have completed an academic degree with a far above average results (upper third) and at least two years of related professional experience after the first degree (bachelor) at the time of application.
Candidates have at least two years’ 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
His/her academic degrees should normally be no more than six years old

Language Skills

For study courses in German (scholarship includes a preparatory 6 month German language course in Germany): Successful passing of the language examination DSH 2 or TestDaF before the start of the study course. Therefore, a minimum German language level of B1 at the time of application is a requirement that needs to be proofed by providing a current certificate.

Note: It is not possible to pass the required German language courses (DSH or TestDaF) without any previous basic knowledge in the German language (at least B1 level), even with the preceding six month intensive course in Germany. Passing the language test is a formal prerequisite for matriculation at the respective German university.

For courses in English: IELTS (Band 6) certificate or TOEFL (minimum score: 550 paper based, 21 computer based, 80 internet based)

Benefits of the Scholarship

Monthly scholarship rate depending on level of training of 934 euros for graduate students or 1,300 euros for doctoral students
Benefits for health, accident and personal liability insurance cover
Travel allowance, unless these expenses are covered by the home country or another source of funding.

In addition, the following additional benefits can be granted under certain conditions:

Monthly rental assistance
Monthly supplements for family members traveling with you

Required Documents

Completed and signed checklist DAAD application form
A Chronological, complete CV
A letter of motivation with a precise description of the academic, professional and personal reasons for wanting to take part in the program
Letter of recommendation from current employer. The letter must contain official letterhead, a signature and a stamp (not in a sealed envelope)
Employment certificate(s) from the employer proving at least two years of relevant professional experience after completing your bachelor’s degree up to the time of application. If possible, the employment certificate from the current employer should contain a guarantee of re-employment upon return to the home country.

Proof of language skills:

English – IELTS or TOEFL (Note: the institutional TOEFL is not accepted)
German – necessary for the German-language programs;
Copies of acquired university degrees (certified translations if necessary)
Copies of the transcripts, including the grading system (certified translations, if necessary)
Applicants from the People’s Republic of China are asked to attach the APS certificate to their documents.

IMPORTANT: The complete applications have to be submitted in English or German to be considered.

Incomplete applications cannot be considered. 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.

Selection Procedure

Step 1: You send your complete application(s) directly to the according postgraduate course’

Step 2: A selection committee suggests potential candidates for a DAAD scholarship

Step 3: The suggested candidates will be contacted by DAAD to upload their complete application to the DAAD portal.

Step 4: The selection will be finalized and the suggested candidates will be informed accordingly.

IMPORTANT: Make sure you have a copy of each document of your application ready, as those documents (as PDF files) have to be uploaded to the DAAD Portal in the case you are suggested for a DAAD scholarship.