Guide · Germany · DAAD

DAAD scholarships for international master’s and PhD applicants (2026/27 and 2027/28 cycles)

Updated 19 October 2026 · For applicants worldwide · Always confirm details in the official DAAD call

The DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service) is the largest scholarship body for international students and researchers coming to Germany. This guide covers the main master’s and PhD programmes, the current monthly rates, who can apply, the deadlines in the current round (checked on daad.de on 19 October 2026) and how to apply.

How the 2026/27 and 2027/28 cycles fit together

DAAD scholarships are awarded about a year ahead. The round that runs during 2026 (the 2026/27 application round) funds study or research that starts in the 2027/28 academic year, usually from October 2027. The master’s and doctoral calls state that funding must begin in 2027, with selection around February–March 2027.

For most individual programmes, applications are possible from 1 June until your deadline through the DAAD portal. The DAAD says deadlines are updated each year in the second quarter and are, in most cases, in the same period as the year before. If your 2026 deadline has passed, use this year’s date to plan for the next round. The portal closes at 24:00 CET/CEST on the last day.

The main DAAD programmes for master’s and PhD applicants

In the DAAD scholarship database, select your status and country to see only programmes you can apply for. The main ones:

Study Scholarships – Master Studies for All Academic Disciplines

Funds a full master’s at a state or state-recognised German university (or one year of study within a master’s at home) for 10 to 24 months. Only applicants from countries listed in the call can apply. See the official call.

EPOS – Development-Related Postgraduate Courses

For graduates from eligible developing and newly industrialised countries with at least two years’ professional experience. Funding lasts 12 to 42 months on listed courses only. You apply to the course directly (up to three, in order of priority), not to the DAAD. See the EPOS call, the eligible countries (PDF) and the 2027/28 course list (PDF).

Helmut-Schmidt-Programme (Public Policy and Good Governance)

English-taught master’s courses in public policy and governance for graduates from eligible developing and emerging countries with practical experience. Holders are exempt from tuition fees and first take a compulsory German course of up to four months. See the current announcement (PDF).

Research Grants – Doctoral Programmes in Germany

Funds a full doctorate in Germany, with an individual supervisor or in a structured programme, for up to four years (three at first, with a possible extension). See the official call.

Bi-nationally Supervised Doctoral Degrees / Cotutelle

For doctoral candidates enrolled at home who spend research periods in Germany, either with a German co-supervisor (“sandwich model”) or under a cotutelle agreement for a joint degree. Funding lasts 7 to 24 months, split across stays if needed. See the official call.

If you want a salaried PhD post rather than a scholarship, read our guide to funded PhD positions in Germany and search the DAAD’s PhDGermany database.

Monthly stipend and extras

From the current official calls:

• Master’s (Study Scholarship, Helmut-Schmidt, EPOS for graduates): €992 per month.
• Doctoral candidates (Doctoral Programmes in Germany, Cotutelle, EPOS doctoral): €1,400 per month. Cotutelle pays this only while you are in Germany, with no payments during stays at your home university.
• Annual allowance: €460 a year (a study allowance for master’s students, a research allowance for doctoral candidates).
• Insurance: payments towards health, accident and personal liability insurance.
• Travel allowance: on application.
• Possible extras: rent subsidy, family allowance and German course support in some cases.

The Study Scholarship call states that the DAAD does not cover tuition fees. Most state universities charge little or no tuition (see our funded master’s in Germany guide), but always check your programme. The DAAD’s information for scholarship applicants also warns that the monthly payment may not cover all living costs in cities with high rents.

Eligibility

Rules differ by call, but these recur in the master’s and doctoral calls:

• Your country must be eligible for that programme in the database.
• Degree level: for the master’s scholarship, you need a first degree (for example a bachelor’s) by the time funding starts. For the doctoral grant, you need a master’s or Diplom by the start of funding, or in exceptional cases a bachelor’s.
• Degree age: as a rule, your most recent degree should be no more than six years old at the application deadline. If you have already started a doctorate, it should have started no more than three years before you apply.
• Time in Germany: you can’t be considered if you have lived in Germany for more than 15 months at the deadline.
• Language: you must prove you know the language of instruction. Accepted tests include TestDaF, DSH and Goethe-Zertifikat for German, and IELTS, TOEFL iBT, Cambridge, PTE Academic and Duolingo for English (master’s call; no older than three years).
• EPOS and Helmut-Schmidt also need relevant work or practical experience. EPOS asks for at least two years.

Selection weighs your academic record, the quality of your project and your motivation.

Deadlines in the current round (funding from October 2027)

Deadlines depend on your country. The dates below are examples we read in the DAAD database on 19 October 2026. Look up your own date by selecting your country in the official call.

Study Scholarships – Master Studies

• Australia, Japan, Republic of Korea: 21 October
• United States: 30 October 2026
• Kazakhstan: 2 November 2026
• Ukraine: 16 November 2026
• United Kingdom: 1 December 2026

Research Grants – Doctoral Programmes in Germany

• Egypt: 31 August 2026 (closed)
• Brazil, Mexico, Colombia: 3 September 2026 (closed)
• Nigeria, Ghana: 24 September 2026 (closed); Kenya: 30 September 2026 (closed)
• China, Indonesia, Vietnam, Bangladesh: 21 October
• Turkey: 16 November 2026

Other programmes

• Cotutelle: also by country, for example 21 October 2026 (Indonesia), 3 September 2026 (Brazil) and 16 November 2026 (Turkey).
• EPOS: each course sets its own deadline. Check the course website listed in the 2027/28 course list.
• Helmut-Schmidt-Programme: applications for 2027/28 ran from 1 June to 31 July 2026, so this round is closed.

How to apply, step by step

1. Confirm the programme and your deadline. Open the call in the DAAD database, select your status and country, and note your deadline and any country-specific documents.
2. Choose your programme or supervisor. Master’s applicants complete the DAAD form “Information about your preferred master programmes”. Doctoral applicants need a supervision letter or proof of contact with a structured programme (see how to email a potential PhD supervisor).
3. Apply for university admission separately. The award is only valid once you are admitted to the host university you named; admission must arrive before funding starts.
4. Prepare your documents as PDFs. CV in table form (max. 3 pages), motivation letter, transcripts, degree and language certificates. Doctoral applicants add a research proposal with previous research (max. 10 pages) and a timetable agreed with the supervisor.
5. Register on the DAAD portal while the round is open.
6. Request your recommendation. Generate the form in the portal, send it to a university teacher and upload it when returned.
7. Upload and submit before the deadline. Incomplete applications are not considered, so avoid the last day.
8. For EPOS and Helmut-Schmidt, follow each course’s own procedure.

For the motivation letter, see our PhD motivation letter guide.

Common mistakes

• Relying on someone else’s deadline. Dates differ by country, even within the same programme.
• Assuming every programme covers your country. If the master’s scholarship doesn’t, check EPOS or Helmut-Schmidt.
• A vague research proposal. The doctoral call asks for a proposal discussed with your academic adviser, not a general topic.

FAQ

How much does a DAAD scholarship pay per month?

According to the current official calls, DAAD master’s scholarships (Study Scholarships, Helmut-Schmidt-Programme and EPOS for graduates) pay €992 per month. Doctoral grants (Doctoral Programmes in Germany, Cotutelle and EPOS for doctoral candidates) pay €1,400 per month. Most add insurance, travel support and €460 a year.

When is the DAAD deadline for funding from October 2027?

It depends on the programme and your country. On 19 October 2026 the database showed, for example, 30 October 2026 (master’s, United States) and 16 November 2026 (doctoral, Turkey). Select your country in the official call.

Does the DAAD pay tuition fees?

The Study Scholarship call states that the DAAD does not cover tuition fees. Helmut-Schmidt-Programme holders are exempt from tuition fees.

Can I apply for a DAAD scholarship before I am admitted to a German university?

Yes. The award only becomes valid once you are admitted to the host university you named, before funding starts.

Who is eligible for the DAAD master’s Study Scholarship?

Applicants from countries listed in the call with a first degree by the start of funding. As a rule your latest degree should be no more than six years old, and you can’t have lived in Germany for over 15 months.

I missed this year’s DAAD deadline. What should I do?

Plan for the next round. The DAAD says deadlines are usually in the same period each year, and these programmes open on 1 June. Use the time to secure a supervisor or admission.

Sources

• DAAD — Scholarship database
• DAAD — Study Scholarships – Master Studies for All Academic Disciplines
• DAAD — Research Grants – Doctoral Programmes in Germany
• DAAD — Bi-nationally Supervised Doctoral Degrees / Cotutelle
• DAAD — Development-Related Postgraduate Courses (EPOS)
• DAAD — EPOS course list and deadlines 2027/28 (PDF)
• DAAD — Helmut-Schmidt-Programme announcement 2027 (PDF)
• DAAD — Information for scholarship applicants
• DAAD — PhDGermany database