daad phd scholarship

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Important Information for Scholarship Applicants

You would like to apply for a DAAD scholarship in Germany? Information and answers to questions about application conditions, requirements and the selection procedure are available here.

A. Requirements for scholarship application

B. preparing your application, c. planning your project, d. writing your application, e. the selection procedure, f. scholarship benefits, 1. is there an age limit for daad scholarships.

No, there is usually no fixed age limit. There are individual exceptions in programmes in which this is explicitly requested by an international partner. Most scholarship programmes stipulate that only a certain amount of time should have elapsed since the last degree was obtained (see also question 2). For details, please refer to the respective Call for Applications at www.funding-guide.de under the heading "Application requirements".

2. I finished my university degree or started my doctorate longer ago than the application requirements specify. Am I still eligible to apply?

Yes, an application may be permissible under the following circumstances which may have a delaying effect on studies or doctoral projects:

• pregnancy and childbirth
• care of children up to the age of 12 (maximum of three years per child)
• care of care-dependent relatives
• disability or chronic illness
• prolonged, serious illness
• compulsory military service
• if applicable, other circumstances.

The dates of birth of children and periods of childcare or care of relatives or longer periods of absence due to illness or disability should be indicated in the application form; the last free text field "Other comments / Information" is available for this purpose. DAAD reserves the right to ask you to submit appropriate supporting documents.

Please provide proof of disabilities or illnesses in the form of a disability card or medical certificate. If possible, the medical certificate should indicate the periods of absence.

Information about studying abroad with a disability or chronic illness is provided in the following: Mobility with a Disability .

Other circumstances must also be justified and substantiated with supporting documents.

3. I have not completed my university degree by the application deadline. Am I still eligible to apply for a scholarship?

Yes, in programmes which require a first university degree, you can apply in your last year of study. You must then meet all the academic requirements set out in the Call for Applications by the time your funding period begins. Also, you can hand in your degree later; it must be submitted before the start of the funding period.

4. I'm already in Germany. Am I still eligible to apply?

Yes, if you have been in Germany for a maximum of 15 months by the closing date for applications and the Call for Scholarship Applications makes no other specifications.

5. I am not currently living in my country of origin. Am I still eligible to apply for a scholarship?

An application from your current country of residence is possible under certain circumstances:

• If you wish to apply for a short-term scholarship (up to 6 months), you must have lived in your country of residence for at least one year at the time of application and have a residence there.
• If you would like to come to Germany for more than 6 months, you must also have obtained your last degree (e.g. Bachelor / Master ) in your country of residence or obtain this degree until the start of the scholarship.

In any case, you can apply from your country of origin, even if you currently live in another country and meet the above requirements. Your country of origin is usually the country in which you have spent most of your life and may differ from your nationality.

Example: You were born and raised in Albania and have lived in the UK for four years , where you also obtained your Bachelor's degree. It is best to apply from the UK as you have a UK degree. It is possible to apply from Albania as an alternative. - However, you may not apply from both countries at the same time.

We strongly recommend that you seek information and advice to find out which scholarship programmes are available to you. Contact persons are listed in the Scholarship database under "Contact and advice".

6. I have dual citizenship. From which country should I apply?

Dual nationals must apply from their country of origin (usually the country where you have spent most of your life). If the requirements are met, an application from the current country of residence is also possible, as described above (A5) . Nationality alone does not entitle you to apply from a country you have never lived in and are not currently living in.

Example: You were born and raised in Argentina, currently live there and have Argentinean and Italian citizenship. You can only apply from Argentina. It is not possible to apply from Italy.

7. I am enrolled in a study programme at a German university and aim to complete this degree in Germany, or I am completing a doctoral degree at a German university. Can I apply for a DAAD scholarship for a stay in a country other than Germany?

Under the following conditions, foreign nationals who live in Germany may also apply for a DAAD scholarhip for stays in other countries than Germany.

• You are enrolled in a study programme at a German university with the aim of obtaining a degree from the German university, or
• You are doing your doctorate at a German university

and want do go abroad during this time. This regulation does not apply to international students/ doctoral candidates who are already being funded with an “Incoming DAAD scholarship” in Germany.

In addition, persons of equal status to Germans according to § 8 Para. 1 Number 2ff. Paragraph 2, Paragraph 2a, and Paragraph 3 BAföG can apply. In this context, the wording of the law applies, which can be found here .

Furthermore, it will be checked to what extent there is a connection to Germany and whether there is a justified expectation that you will return to Germany after the end of the temporary stay abroad.

A funding in your home country is usually excluded.

Programmes for funding abroad for students in Germany are listed in our scholarship database www.auslands-stipendien.de .

8. Can I apply for a scholarship whatever subject I am studying?

Principally yes: DAAD offers many  scholarship programmes that are open to almost all subjects, although restrictions apply to some subjects (e.g. medicine). There are also subject-specific programmes that are aimed at very specific subject areas, such as architecture, music or computer science. In the Scholarship database , you can select the scholarships programmes that are offered for your subject group.

9. What language skills do I need to apply for a scholarship?

Not all programmes require a general minimum language level for funding applications. Depending on country of origin and scholarship programme, however, certain language skills may be expected. You can find out which requirements these are in the section "Application requirements" and under "Application documents" of the Call for Applications. Please read these requirements thoroughly to find out what applies to your programme and your country.

For scholarships in Germany, however, the following generally applies: when you submit your application, you must provide proof of your current proficiency in the language of instruction ( German, English , or German and English ) in your chosen study programme. Please read  question D.5 for more information on the evidence you need to submit.

If you are awarded the scholarship, the DAAD can provide a preparatory German language course for you. The DAAD scholarship selection committee will assess whether such a German course is necessary for you and how many months (maximum six) are appropriate. These German courses will enable you to improve your German language skills. However, it is not realistic to reach the level required for university admission within the framework of these courses if you have no or only very limited German language skills by then.

In order to apply for a place at a German higher education institution and thus to start your scholarship , you must also submit proof of your language skills (e.g. DSH or TestDaF if the language of instruction is German; e.g. TOEFL or IELTS if the language of instruction is English). Level C1 is often required; however, this varies from degree programme to degree programme. Please contact your chosen host university as early as possible to find out about the requirements you need to meet. You can also find more information about the requirements on our website.

If you would like to assess your German language skills yourself, you can take the free placement tests of e.g.  Deutsche Welle or the Goethe-Institut.

The British Council , for example, offers a free placement test for English.

10. My German language skills are not yet sufficient. Are there e-learning language courses that I can take in my home country to improve my skills?

Yes, there are internet offers for learning German. For example, the Goethe-Institut as well as Deutsche-Uni Online (DUO) offer special online courses in German. For scholarship holders whose funding lasts longer than six months, DAAD will pay the costs of one DUO module.

Furthermore, you can find a wide range of free online content for learning German on Deutsche Welle .

11. I am considering taking a distance / online / part-time course (e.g. dual course of study) in Germany. Am I eligible to apply for a DAAD scholarship?

No, DAAD scholarships are awarded to applicants wishing to complete a full-time course of study with compulsory attendance in Germany. This is why applicants wishing to take a blended learning or distance/e-learning programme or part-time programme (e.g. dual course of study) are not eligible for DAAD funding.

Only in the programme "University Winter Courses Online for Foreign Students and Graduates" is it currently possible to take part in a language course online.

12. I already have a scholarship from the European Union, the DAAD or another organization in Germany. Can I still receive a DAAD scholarship?

If you are already funded by the DAAD, another German funding organization or another state agency in Germany, you cannot receive a scholarship from the DAAD at the same time.

An Erasmus scholarship is not compatible with a full DAAD scholarship. Scholarship holders in the "University Summer Courses in Germany" and "University Winter Courses in Germany" programmes as well as those who receive a partial scholarship from DAAD can also take advantage of ERASMUS funding.

13. I already had a DAAD scholarship, can I apply again?

It is not possible to combine several study or research scholarships (with a funding period of at least 7 months) within one period of study (which ends with the completion of a Bachelor's, Master's, Diplom, state examination etc. and doctorate).

Short research scholarships , specialised and language courses (e.g. university summer courses) and internships can be combined with all other types of scholarships.

A short-term research fellowship may be utilised a maximum of once per calendar year and may not be utilised immediately after an annual fellowship. Research stays for doctoral candidates, work stays for artists and re-invitations can be utilised several times, but generally no more than once every three years.

14. How good do my grades have to be in order for me to receive a DAAD scholarship?

The DAAD primarily supports individuals with high academic achievements. As a rule, the scholarship programmes do not stipulate a minimum grade point average for the application. Academic performance (selection criterion "qualification") is nevertheless an important criterion for the award of the scholarship.

But good grades are not everything: other aspects are also taken into account that are also important, such as the quality of the project, language skills, motivation, extracurricular commitment, special circumstances, etc. Further information on the selection criteria can be found at Section E.

B. Preparing your application

1. in the call for applications a so-called "letter of motivation" must be submitted. what does this mean.

In a letter of motivation, you are required to describe your professional and personal reasons for your planned project in Germany on at least one and no more than three pages.

A letter of motivation gives you the opportunity to describe your personality and the reasons why you are applying for DAAD funding in your own words. The following information and questions will help you write an informative letter of motivation.

• Studies: study programme, number of semesters , if applicable, degree
• Professional experience, if applicable
• Specialised knowledge, skills and language skills
• Prizes and awards (if applicable)
• Why do you wish to take the study programme or attend the language or specialist course for which you are applying?
• What appeals to you about your chosen university?
• What do you hope to gain from your stay in Germany (personal, professional, for your career)?
• Why are you applying for a DAAD scholarship?
• What do you expect of this scholarship?
• How will the scholarship help you achieve your academic, professional and personal goals?
• Here you can outline special extracurricular achievements and commitments or personal qualities that say something about your character.

2. The calls for applications for research grants require a so-called "proposal". What does this mean?

A proposal is a detailed and precise description of the project you have agreed to complete with your academic supervisor. In a proposal, you define the goals of your research work, reflect upon theoretical and methodical procedures and you describe the individual steps. You have to prepare and formulate the proposal yourself. Taking over proposals from others is a violation of the Rules of Good Academic Practice.

The objective

• What is the subject of your research project?
• Which steps are planned?
• What is the time schedule for your planned research project?

The structure

The proposal (unless otherwise stated in the scholarship announcement, maximum of 10 pages) should contain details about:

• The research field in general and the current state of research literature:
• What is the current state of research?
• Which theories/work of other academics will you draw upon?
• What theoretical framework or scientific models will you use? Explain the reasons why you are drawing on this theory or model. Are there competing theories/models and, if so, why are you not using these in your project?
• What is your research question?
• Key research questions (hypotheses), research objectives and academic relevance of the project:
• What do you intend to find out?
• What goals are you pursuing with your project?
• Research strategies/methods:
• How do you intend answering the research questions?
• How do you want to collect data (document analyses, quantitative or qualitative survey, experiment, etc.)?
• Which academic literature will you use?
• How will you evaluate results?
• What preparation have you already done or intend doing before funding begins?
• Ethical issues/anticipated difficulties related to collecting data
• Research bibliography: List of books and essays upon which your work is based.

Please note that the time plan must be uploaded to the DAAD portal as a separate document.

1. Do I need contacts in Germany when I apply?

If you wish to carry out individual research or complete a doctorate in Germany, you need confirmation from a university teacher that you are being supervised in Germany (see question 2). If you are taking part in a structured doctoral programme, proof of existing contacts to a doctoral programme coordinator must be submitted in the form of respective correspondence.

If you wish to take a Master's degree in Germany, all you need to provide is information about your study programmes for which you would like to apply (see "Application procedure" in the Call for Applications).

2. I need a supervisor for my individual project in Germany. Who can be my host?

Hosts can be university teachers or academic teaching staff who work at a state or state-recognised institution of higher education or a non-university research institution in Germany. If possible, the host should have a professorial qualification in an academic field.

These tips on the site Research in Germany will help you find an academic supervisor.

3. I have already found a supervisor for my individual project. What documents do I need from him/her for the application?

You need a „Letter confirming academic supervision“. With this, your academic host confirms their willingness to support you in carrying out your research project or doctorate . You must submit the confirmation of supervision together with your application.

Ideally, the letter of confirmation (informal) from your supervisor

• indicates that the description of your research project and schedule have been discussed,
• confirms that a workplace is available for you, and
• indicates which working language is spoken at the host institute.

4. I am planning to study for a Master's degree in Germany. What do I have to consider when applying for a place at university?

You will have to arrange your application for admission and possible matriculation at the host university yourself. Even a DAAD scholarship is no guarantee that you will get a place at a particular university in Germany. If you do not receive admission to study your scholarship will be forfeited. It is therefore important that you inform yourself well in advance about the application requirements and deadlines and apply to several universities. When searching, also look for courses offered by universities of Applied sciences (HAW) or smaller universities. This will increase your chances of being admitted.

Information on suitable study programmes can be found, for example, in the database for international programmes or all degree programmes in the Higher Education Compass.

1. How do I apply for a DAAD scholarship?

Application procedures may vary depending on scholarship programme. To find out where and how to apply, please read the "Application procedure" section of the Call for Applications in the Scholarship database ( www.funding-guide.de ). Seek advice if you have any questions.

Contact persons (often in your area) are listed under "Contact and advice". A list of locations and contact data from the DAAD network is available here .

2. In the Call for Applications it is said that I have to apply through the DAAD portal.

What does this mean.

You have to apply online. To do this, you must register in the DAAD portal. In the scholarship database , first select your chosen scholarship programme and then the tab "Submit application". Note that this tab is only shown during an ongoing application period. The closing date for applications is indicated in the "Application procedure" tab.

I have technical problems with my online application. What can I do?

If technical problems occur, the portal support is available by e-mail at [email protected] .

Which documents do I have to upload to be able to submit an application to the DAAD portal?

Your application is only complete if you submit all the application documents listed in the Call for Applications. Artistic work samples (e.g. audio files) are uploaded via a media databas e – you will receive an upload link as indicated in the Call for Aplication. In some cases, individual documents (e.g. university certificate) may be submitted at a later date if this is explicitly permitted in the programme's Call for Applications.

Do I receive confirmation that my application has been received?

Yes, as soon as you have submitted your application online, you will automatically receive confirmation that your application has been successfully submitted and an e-mail informing you that a message has been sent to you via the portal's messaging system. The message confirms that your application has been received.

3. The Call for Applications states that I have to submit a reference from a university teacher. Who can write a reference for my application?

References in scientific subjects should be written by university teachers with a doctoral degree who can provide information about the following:

• What are your academic achievements?
• What are your academic and personal qualities?
• Is your project well planned, feasible and relevant?
• What significance does the scholarship have for your academic and professional career?

Find out how to generate and submit the reference form in the respective Call for Applications in the Scholarship database ( www.funding-guide.de ).

4. Do I have to apply in German?

Unless otherwise stated in the Call for Applications, you can submit your application either in German or English. Please note that application documents that are not in German or English, e.g. university certificates, must be translated either into German or English. The translations do not have to be certified for the application procedure and you may do the translations yourself.

5. What language certificates do I need when I apply for a scholarship?

You can find out what language certificates you need when you apply for a scholarship in the "Application procedure" section of the Call for Applications.

When submitting your scholarship application to the DAAD you must provide proof of your current level of proficiency in the language of instruction ( German, English or German and English ) of your chosen degree programme.

As a rule, the following certificates can be considered as language certificates for German : TestDaF, DSH, German Language Diploma of the Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs of the Länder in the Federal Republic of Germany (DSD), Goethe-Zertifikat, Austrian Language Diploma as well as telc Deutsch and onSET Deutsch.

The following certificates, for example, can be submitted as proof of English language proficiency: Cambridge English, Cambridge Business, IELTS, ISE, TOEFL iBT, TOEFL Essentials, TOEIC as well as PTE Academic and onSET English. An onSET test can be taken in many countries, e.g. with a DAAD Lecturer. Please also take a look at "Contact and Advice".

Please read in the section "Application procedure" under "Application documents" whether a specific proof is required for your country of origin.

6. I obtained a German Language Diploma II (DSD II) more than two years ago. Do I still have to submit a language certificate for German?

In this case, a simple placement test (e.g. a free online test) is a sufficient proof of your current language skills.

7. Do my certificates and transcripts (lists of grades) have to be certified for my application?

No, not initially. DAAD reserves the right to request certified documents after a positive selection decision has been made.

1. Who makes a decision about my application?

Scholarship applications are reviewed by an independent and voluntary selection committee. This may be made up of local and/or German university teachers, researchers and DAAD Lecturers. Depending on scholarship programme and the local situation, the best applicants may also be required to introduce themselves personally. This can take place either on site, face-to-face, or virtually.

Depending on programme, the selection decision is made either by the local selection committee directly or – in the case of a two-stage selection procedure – by another independent committee of academics in Germany. DAAD staff are not entitled to vote in the scholarship selection procedure.

2. Will I be given the names of the professors involved in the selection?

No. In order to maintain the independence of our volunteer selection committee members, we must ensure that they can make their assessments without any influence or bias. For this reason, like other funding institutions, we refrain from disclosing the composition of the individual commissions and the names of any additional experts who may have been consulted.

At the same time, strict bias regulations apply to the selection experts: To avoid conflicts of interest/bias, experts are not allowed to evaluate applications from the university’s own faculty or examine applicants with whom they have a personal (supervisory) relationship.

3. According to which criteria does the selection committee make its decision?

The key selection criteria are:

Professional qualification

• Academic achievements (grade point average, development of grades)
• Academic progress
• Knowledge of the language(s) of instruction or working language(s)
• Academic performance (general grade point average, grade development)
• School-leaving certificate, if applicable
• Course of studies
• Knowledge of the language of instruction or working language
• If applicable, relevant internships, work experience

Quality of the study or research project

Study project:

• Quality of the study project and of the preparation (preliminary information, choice of degree programme, host university and establishment of contacts)
• Integration of the project into the academic career path
• Quality of the study project as well as the preparation (preliminary information, choice of study programme, host university and establishment of contacts)

Research project:

• Quality of research proposal and preparation (originality, topicality and relevance of the project, choice of host institution and first contacts)
• Feasibility and consistency of study plan and schedule
• Incorporation of project within the overall doctorate (in terms of content and time), if relevant
• Quality of the research project as well as the preparation (originality, topicality and relevance of the project, choice of host institution and establishment of contacts).
• Feasibility and consistency of the work plan and timetable (analysis and evaluation steps)
• Embedding of the project in the overall doctoral project (in terms of content/time), if relevant

Potential of the applicant

• Motivation: academic and personal reasons for the stay in Germany, German language skills (if different from the working language);
• Prospects: Significance of the stay in Germany for further academic, professional and personal development.
• Extracurricular commitment: extracurricular knowledge and skills, social commitment.
• Motivation: professional and personal reasons for the stay in Germany, German language skills (if different from the working language);
• Perspectives: Importance of the stay in Germany for further academic, professional and personal development

In addition, in order to ensure equal opportunities, the selection committee may take into account special circumstances, which you can state in the application form. Examples of "special circumstances" are disability, chronic or prolonged illness, raising children, caring for relatives, extensive employment required to finance studies. In these or comparable cases, disadvantages will be compensated for when assessing the application.

Depending on scholarship programme, additional selection criteria may be relevant, e.g. language skills. To find out what applies to your programme, read the Call for Applications in the Scholarship database ( www.funding-guide.de ).

4. When will I be informed whether I will receive a scholarship?

After the selection meeting, it usually takes about three weeks before you are informed by the DAAD whether you will receive a scholarship.

Depending on the scholarship programme and selection procedure (e.g. in the case of a multi-stage procedure involving other partners or the host university, such as in the EPOS or HSK programmes) or in the case of a large number of applications, you should expect a longer waiting time. We kindly ask for your understanding in this regard.

You will be informed in any case, even if you are not selected for a scholarship. In this case, you will receive a letter of rejection via the DAAD portal.

1. How much scholarship money is paid a month?

The scholarship payment depends on the academic qualifications of the scholarship holders and on the scholarship programme. Scholars taking a Master's programme typically receive € 934, doctoral candidates and postdocs € 1,300. Rates for university teachers are usually € 2,000 for assistant teachers, assistant professors and lecturers , € 2,150 for professors. You can find an overview of other possible benefits in each programme's Call for Applications in the Scholarship database ( www.funding-guide.de ).

2. Do I receive travel expenses and what else is important when planning a trip?

DAAD grants an allowance towards travel expenses in the form of a lump sum. You can find more information on the travel allowance in the respective Call for Applications the Scholarship database .

Important for planning the trip: The DAAD is committed to climate protection and would welcome environmentally friendly travel or, alternatively, a CO2 compensation payment (for air travel). There are various providers where you can offset (for example Atmosfair) - this is possible both before and after travelling. In some DAAD programmes, these payments are reimbursed. At https://www.routerank.com/de/ you can check how high the CO2 emissions of your flight are. There you can also calculate whether alternatives (e.g. direct flights) would generate lower CO2 emissions.”

3. Are there additional benefits for family members?

Under certain conditions, DAAD offers an allowance for accompanying spouses, child allowance and insurance benefits for spouses, registered partners and children ("marital allowance"). For scholarship holders with a funding period of over six months, please read the Call for Applications in the Scholarship database ( www.funding-guide.de ) to find out if a programme provides for family members. If the funding period is less than 6 months, no family benefits will be granted.

The "marital allowance" is 276 euros per month . If you are not entitled to state child benefit, you can apply for a DAAD child allowance in the amount of the state child benefit. Currently, you receive 250 euros per month per child.

Information on state child benefit can be found here.

4. Do I have to take out health insurance in Germany and does DAAD contribute towards this?

Scholarship holders and accompanying family members must be covered by health insurance from the first day of their stay in Germany. In many programmes, insurance coverage is part of the scholarship. As a rule, the DAAD then takes out health insurance for the scholarship holder as part of the scholarship and pays the premiums. Please read the "Scholarship benefits" section of the Call for Applications in the Scholarship database ( www.funding-guide.de ).

If your chosen programme does not include insurance coverage, under certain circumstances you may be able to take out inexpensive health, accident and personal liability insurance through DAAD at your own expense. If you have any more questions, contact DAAD's insurance office: [email protected] or ++49-228-8828770.

5. Am I allowed to take on a part-time job as a scholarship holder in Germany?

Scholarship holders wishing to work part-time during their scholarship period, i.e. pursue gainful employment or an unpaid internship , always require the approval of DAAD. It is necessary that your academic supervisor or course coordinator must also give their consent. DAAD will verify that the part-time employment does not interfere with the purpose of the scholarship. Additional income exceeding € 538 gross per month shall be deducted from the monthly scholarship payment.

6. I am receiving a second scholarship from provider in my home country. How does this impact my DAAD scholarship?

A second scholarship from an international provider of up to € 538 will not have an effect on your DAAD scholarship. If the second scholarship exceeds this amount, the excess amount shall be deducted from the DAAD scholarship.

A scholarship form another German funding organisation or another state agency in Germany may not be used at the same time as a DAAD scholarship (see also question A.11 ).

7. Some universities in Germany charge tuition fees. Do I have to pay these fees if I'm receiving a DAAD scholarship?

Yes. DAAD does not pay tuition fees for its scholarship holders. Even as a scholarship holder, you should therefore ask your chosen host university whether tuition fees are charged for your programme.

Although tuition fees are not generally charged in Germany, studying at some locations is not always free. In the federal state of Baden-Württemberg, international students from non-EU/EEA countries ( Bachelor and Master's level ) at state universities have to pay a fee of € 1,500 per semester. Private universities in all federal states may also charge tuition fees. These can vary. Both state and private universities in all federal states may also charge fees for so-called "weiterbildende Masterstudiengänge" (non-consecutive Master's degrees), that often require previous professional experience or lead to a specific additional qualification. These include, for example, the so-called LL.M degree programmes for law students. Fees for these programmes are sometimes very high so you should find out about them in advance.

8. Are there additional scholarship benefits for people with a disability or chronic illness?

Yes, in such cases you can apply for additional benefits which individually supplement the regular scholarship benefits. To do so, please contact the relevant contact person at DAAD following the scholarship selection procedure.

Please note: It is not necessary to specify your disability or chronic illness on the application form but under certain circumstances it may be helpful, for example if your disability negatively impacted your studies or academic achievements and this should be taken into account in the selection procedure. For more details, go to Mobility with a disability .

9. In my scholarship programme, a monthly rent subsidy may be granted if applicable. What are the requirements and what is the amount of the rent subsidy?

If you are in Germany alone, without accompanying children or spouse/registered partner , and are studying or researching in a place with particularly expensive rents (rent levels III to VII), you may be able to receive a monthly rent subsidy of a maximum of €350 . Whether the application is approved depends, among other things, on what portion of your scholarship you have to spend on rent and whether the accommodation is customary in the locality and appropriate. The amount of the rent subsidy depends, among other things, on the amount of the warm rent for your accommodation.

If you live together with your family (spouse or registered partner and/or children) in a flat in Germany, you can apply for a rent subsidy in any place in Germany. In this case, too, we will first check what share of your scholarship you have to spend on rent and whether the accommodation is customary in the locality and appropriate.

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Bi-nationally Supervised Doctoral Degree Scholarship

About the scholarship, application, details about funding.

This is one special scholarships of the DAAD that has become popular given the way it beautifully combines the advantages offered by the applicant's own country and Germany.

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What is the bi-nationally supervised doctoral degree scholarship (PhD sandwich) programme?

This is a scholarship programme specially designed for students who have enrolled for PhD at an institution in South Asia and want to do a part of their research in Germany. They get to carry out research at the home institution and also in Germany. As a scholarship holder the student not only gets access to a wide range of resources and advanced infrastructure but also guidance and exposure.

Will I have one supervisor from my university and one from a German institution?

Indeed! Your doctoral research is supervised by a supervisor from your home university as well as by a supervisor from your host institution in Germany. This way you get guidance from multiple perspectives.

While the role of the DAAD is to provide you with the finances for your stay in Germany, your contribution is to identify and get acceptance from the German supervisor. Both these supervisors will need to sign your proposal.

Will I get the doctoral degree from my home university or the German university?

Your home institution awards you the doctoral degree. After your research in Germany, you come back, consolidate your research, and submit your PhD thesis to the home institution. They will evaluate it and award you a PhD.

Am I eligible for this scholarship?

You are eligible to apply for this scholarship if you are formally registered for your PhD. After the third year of PhD registration, you are no longer eligible.

What is the application deadline?

The application deadline is 20 October every year. This is for scholarship starting from October of the following year.

The application portal opens 6 weeks ahead of the deadline.

Do I need to know German to apply for the scholarship?

To apply for this scholarship the knowledge of the German language is not mandatory.

What is the selection procedure?

After you have submitted all the required documents online successfully, an independent selection committee consisting of specialist scientists from Germany and the region i.e. India/ Bangladesh/ Bhutan/ Nepal/ Sri Lanka reviews your application. If you are shortlisted, you are invited for a personal interview which either takes place in face to face or online.

What are the selection criteria?

Your academic qualifications including your scholarly achievements after the graduation and quality of your research project, research publications if any etc. are checked during the selection.

Your personal interview plays a very important role.

What is the duration of the scholarship?

Initially the scholarship is awarded for 12 months.

Based on approvals from the home supervisor, the host professor and the DAAD, the scholarship can be extended for another (maximum) 12 months.

What is the scholarship value and what all is covered?

You get the scholarship value of €1,200 per month once you are in Germany. This is in addition to travel allowance, funding for the mandatory language course, research allowance and insurance. The scholarship also covers monthly allowance for accompanying members of family. The amount is not taxable.

An individual student typically requires about EUR 934 per month  for subsistence i.e. housing, food, clothing, study material and other expenses such as health insurance and leisure activities. The amounts can vary from city to city, and of course from lifestyle to lifestyle! The precise split up for this amount will be updated soon.

Additionally, travel and accommodation expenses of your supervisors for one trip of maximum 10 days are also covered. The trip can either be to Germany to monitor your progress or to your home university to take part in your PhD viva. You need to indicate the trip of your home institution supervisor in your work and time schedule.

If you are interested in this scholarship, do take a look at the announcement .

Finding Scholarships

Welcome to our scholarship database! Here you will find information about our DAAD scholarship programmes for international students and researchers as well as offers from other selected funding organisations .

Research Grants – One-Year Grants for Doctoral Candidates • DAAD

Application requirements, application procedure, contact and consulting, submitting an application.

Eine Druckversion dieser Ausschreibung (PDF) steht Ihnen in den weiteren Registerkarten (z.B. „Bewerbungsvoraussetzungen“) zur Verfügung.

A print version of this announcement (PDF) is available in the further tabs (e.g. “Application requirements”).

This programme offers you the opportunity to carry out research primarily as part of doctoral projects in Germany. The scholarships are funded by the German Federal Foreign Office.

Who can apply?

You can apply if you have above-average qualifications and

• are already taking a doctoral degree or
• are not yet taking a doctoral degree and you have already completed a Master's degree or Diplom, or in exceptional cases a Bachelor's degree, at the latest by the time the funding period begins.

What can be funded?

The programme provides funding for a research project or continuing academic training at a state or state-recognised institution of higher education in Germany or a non-university research institute, which is being carried out in agreement with a supervisor in Germany.

Duration of the funding

• Funding is provided for between 7 and a maximum of 12 months. Please indicate in your application how long you wish to receive funding. The funding period will then be determined during the selection process by a selection committee. The committee takes into account your study plan.
• The grant is non-renewable.
• Depending on academic level, monthly payments of 1,300 euros for doctoral candidates, 934 euros, if you are not taking a doctoral degree
• Payments towards health, accident and personal liability insurance cover (see also our important information for scholarship applicants / section F, point 4)
• Travel allowance , unless these expenses are covered by the home country or another source of funding
• One-off research allowance (if you come from a DAC country , you will receive a flat rate of € 460; for all other countries the grant is € 260)
• monthly rent subsidy
• monthly allowance for accompanying family members. Please also read our important information for scholarship applicants / section F, point 3.
• In the case of a disability or chronic illness: subsidy for additional costs which result from the disability or chronic illness and are not covered by other funding providers: Further information
• Payment of course fees for an online language course after receipt of the Scholarship Award Letter
• if necessary: Language course (2, 4 or 6 months) before the start of the research stay in Germany; the DAAD decides whether to fund the grant holder's participation and for how long depending on language skills and project. If a language course scholarship is granted and the working language at the host institute is German, participation is compulsory.
• Allowance for a personally chosen German language course during the funding period
• Reimbursement of the fee for a TestDaF or DSH test, which you can take either in your home country after you have received your Scholarship Award Letter or in Germany during your funding period.

An independent selection committee consisting of specialist scientists reviews applications. The selection criteria are: 1. Qualification

• Academic achievements (grade point average, development of grades)
• Academic progress
• Knowledge of the language(s) of instruction or working language(s)
• If applicable, scholarly achievements after graduation, (e.g. publications, lectures, conference papers)
• Quality of research proposal and preparation (originality, topicality and relevance of the project, choice of host institution and first contacts)
• Feasibility and consistency of study plan and schedule
• Incorporation of project within the overall doctorate (in terms of content and time), if relevant
• Career prospects: significance of the research project and stay in Germany for further academic, professional and personal development
• Motivation: academic and personal reasons for wanting to visit Germany, German language skills (if different from working language)
• Non-study-related activities: non-study-related knowledge and skills, civic engagement

What requirements must be met?

Please check if the following criteria are fulfilled:

• As a rule, applicants should not have graduated any longer than six years before the application deadline. Please also read our important information for scholarship applicants / section A, point 2.
• If you have already started your doctorate, it also applies that the start of the doctorate should not be longer than 3 years ago. Please also read our Important Scholarship Information / Section A, point 2.
• For applicants from the fields of human medicine, veterinary medicine and dentistry, other regulations are applicable. Please refer to www.daad.de/extrainfo .
• Your application cannot be considered, if you have been resident in Germany for longer than 15 months at the application deadline.

Application deadline

Application deadlines are updated annually in the second quarter. In most cases, they are in the same period as the previous year. You can find the current dates here:

Application documents

Certificates, proof of credits, certifications and translations may be scanned in non-certified form and uploaded to the DAAD portal. The DAAD reserves the right to request certified copies of the documents. Documents to be uploaded to the DAAD portal

• Online application form
• Full curriculum vitae in tabular form (max. 3 pages)
• List of your published publications (max. 10 pages), if applicable
• Description of academic and personal reasons for your planned project in Germany ( letter of motivation : 1-2 pages), taking account of the following question: What do you hope to gain from your project in Germany (personally, professionally, for your career)? Please upload the letter of motivation under 'study project/motivation' in the DAAD portal.
• A proposal , prepared and formulated by yourself, as well as a description of previous research work (max. 10 pages in total). A proposal is an extensive and detailed description of the research project which has been discussed with the academic adviser in Germany. Please also read our Important Scholarship Information / section B, point 2. Please upload the proposal under 'research project' in the DAAD portal.
• Schedule of planned research work
• Confirmation from the academic host in Germany ; the confirmation must refer to your project and guarantee that the host institute in Germany will provide you with a workplace. Also read our Important Scholarship Information / section C, point 3. Please upload the confirmation from the academic host under 'acceptance of host institution' in the DAAD portal.
• University degree certificate indicating final grade(s) : the certificate must be subsequently submitted before the grant-supported research begins if it is not available at the time of application.
• One recent, supporting letter of recommendation (previously: 'reference form') from a university teacher which provides information about your qualifications. Please regard the instructions given on the tab 'Submitting an application' . In the current application procedure, the recommendation can be sent to the DAAD by post as an alternative to uploading it on the portal. Please note the information given under 'Application location' for this purpose.
• Other documents which support your application (example: certificates of employment, proof of practical training/internships or social commitment etc. )

The application procedure occurs online through the DAAD portal. Please note that the access to the application portal only appears while the current application period is running. After the application deadline has expired, the portal for this programme is not available until the next application period.

Please note

• Your application is only valid if you submit all the required documents to the DAAD portal on time.
• For submitting references by post, the postmark date serves as proof that they have been dispatched on time.
• (If further documents are to be submitted by post, please send them as soon as possible.)
• The DAAD portal closes at 24.00 hrs. (CET or CEST) on the last application day. If possible, please do not send your application on the final date in case technical problems occur.
• Incomplete applications cannot be considered. You are responsible for ensuring that your application is complete.
• The application documents remain with the DAAD. Your personal data is saved by the DAAD in accordance with the Federal Data Protection Act and with the EU Data Protection Regulation insofar as this data is needed to process the application.

More detailed information

• DAAD website 'Important information for DAAD scholarship applicants'
• DAAD website section 'Doing a PhD and Research in Germany'
• Website 'Research in Germany'
• Website 'GERiT – German Research Institutions'

General information on the application via DAAD portal

Applications for this scholarship programme are possible in the period June until the stated application deadline. Click on 'Application portal' at the bottom of the page to go to the DAAD portal. There you will be provided with an online application form to enter your application data. This is what you have to do: 1. Register in the DAAD portal ( Read notes about registering in the portal >> ) 2. Request recommendation form You can generate the recommendation form (previously: 'reference form') in the DAAD Portal as a writable PDF under 'Request reference form' . Please send it to your referee and ask him or her to complete the form in full. When you have received it back, please upload it during the application process in the portal in the step 'Attachments' under 'Letter of Recommendation'. Alternatively, the referee can send the form by post to the application address (see tab 'Application procedure' under 'Application location'). The postmark will then be used to ensure that the form was sent by the deadline. Please note that the form for completion by a referee can only be generated during the application period. 3. Applying online in the DAAD portal ( Read notes on applying in the portal >> )

• Download and complete the online application form
• Prepare application documents
• If necessary, translate documents (unless they are already in German or English).
• Scan paper documents and save in PDF format. Please note that you can only upload PDF files to the portal.
• Upload the completed application form and the other application documents to the portal in PDF format. Translations, if applicable, should be uploaded together with the document issued in the original language.
• Submit the uploaded application documents online.

Currently you cannot apply for this programme. Please note the application deadline specified under the Application procedure tab.

Sponsored by:

Please select your status and your country to enable you to submit an application

„Country“ is the country in which you are living and from which you are applying. If you come from another country, please contact us to find out whether you are eligible for the programme of your choice. More Information

Graduates are people who already have at least one first academic degree, e.g. Bachelor.

Your status and/or country is not in the list? If your status and/or country is not included in the list, you cannot apply for this scholarship programme. To ensure that only scholarship programmes for which you are eligible to apply are shown, please select your status and your country in the results list (left-hand column).

DAAD Scholarship 2025 | Application Process | Fully Funded

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 DAAD scholarship, its benefits, and the step-by-step application procedure.

DAAD Scholarship 2025-2026 is a fully funded scholarship for international students. This scholarship is available to pursue masters or PhD at the top German Universities. DAAD scholarships cover monthly payments of 934 euros for graduates or 1,300 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.

Also check: Chinese Government Scholarship | Step-by-Step Application Procedure

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
• Study in: Germany
• Economic Sciences, Law
• Agricultural and Forest Sciences
• Art, Design
• Engineering and Natural Sciences
• Humanities and Social Sciences
• Language and Cultural Studies
• Mathematics, Natural Sciences
• Medicine, Health Sciences
• You can also see the complete list of available Postgraduate Courses .
• 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 Masters and PhD Germany provides the recipient with the following benefits:

• Depending on academic level, monthly payments of 934 euros for graduates or 1,300 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 DAAD Scholarship 2026 for Masters and PhD Germany, applicants must meet the following criteria:

• 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.

Also check: Fulbright Scholarship USA | Fully Funded | Application Process

How to Apply for the DAAD Scholarship 2026?

To apply for the DAAD Scholarship for a Master and PhD in Germany please follow the following step-by-step application procedure:

Can 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 DAAD application form with 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 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.
• 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.

Note: Some courses may require additional documents. For detailed information, please see the relevant course description in the Brochure and on the respective websites. The complete applications have to be submitted in English or German to be considered.

Also, apply for the Turkey Government Scholarship | Fully Funded | Application Process

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.

Important Note: Make sure that 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 case you are suggested for a DAAD scholarship!

To learn more about DAAD Scholarship for Masters and PhD Germany, please visit the official website:

Official Website

Why Study in Germany?

Why is Germany a great study destination? Located in the heart of Europe and without tuition fees, find out why Germany could be the perfect place to get your degree abroad.

1. Quality institutions

Germany is the most popular non-English-speaking study destination in the world and has some of the best-ranked universities in Western Europe. In 2020, the Times Higher Rankings placed LMU Munich in 29th position in the world, Heidelberg University in 37th place, and Humboldt University of Berlin in 49, while many other institutions are listed after 100.

Recognized for the Quality of its latest-generation teaching and facilities, the German Government is also very dedicated to higher education. German state funds research projects are carried out every year, which allows students to carry out their projects and cutting-edge research.

2. There are no tuition fees 

You may have dreamed of studying in Europe, but you are worried about how you will finance your studies. Germany may be the right place for you! Studying undergraduate in Germany is FREE. Yes, you read it right! Even as an international student, you don’t have to pay fees or tuition fees, because in Germany the registrations are free of charge.

In fact, at the end of your undergraduate studies at a German university you can be chosen to pursue a postgraduate degree that is also free. Without tuition fees, you can save extra money for accommodation, study material, socialization, and know nearby places.

3. Job Opportunities 

After graduation, international students can stay up to 18 months in Germany to look for a job, a generous amount of time compared to many other European countries, such as the United Kingdom, where they can be three months after graduation. In 2020, the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) reported that about 50% of international students reside in the country after graduation, reflecting the appetite and demand to remain in the nation to work.

Universities also have excellent links with companies, which gives them an advantage in the search for internships or placements. According to the results of the Times Higher Education’s Global Employability University Ranking,

4. Quality of life

Life as a student in Germany is undoubtedly impressive. Most major German cities such as Berlin, Munich, and Hamburg are centers of culture, art, and music. There is so much to see and do, no matter what your interests, this is the perfect place to be a curious international student.

If you are interested in sports, politics, history, or art, you will find your niche market and a crowd with similar interests to yours. Due to a strong economy and infrastructure, it has reliable, safe, and fast public transport, which means that moving is very easy. During the day you can explore the impressive architecture, medieval castles, and parks and at night enjoy the great life in the main cities.

5. International environment

Germany is a breeding ground for students and international multiculturalism. With so many university studies taught in English and no tuition fees, international students from all over the world are naturally attracted to the country. Last year, more than 300,000 international students studied in the nation, and that amount is expected to increase even more. It is also located in the heart of Western Europe which allows easy access and travel to other countries in the area, where you can discover new cultures and visit places of interest.

What are you waiting for? Start your study adventure in Germany today!

8 thoughts on “DAAD Scholarship 2025 | Application Process | Fully Funded”

How can I apply ? I am trying but I didnt get any application form online

Please watch the video about application process.

I m very glad after get this

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Special announcement

Daad scholarship programmes for pakistan.

The DAAD supports Pakistani students and academics through a number of funding programmes. You will find an overview in the lists below.

Master Scholarships

• PhD scholarships
• Post Doc Grants

Further information

Please also read the important information for scholarship applicants .

PhD Scholarships

Funding for post-docs.

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DAAD Pakistan

DAAD Information Centre Islamabad

Special announcement

South Africa and Southern Africa

Major DAAD Scholarships

Below you will find a summary of the major DAAD scholarships and funding opportunities on offer for South African and Sub-Saharan African students, researchers and academics from Bachelor to Postdoc level. For more information on the application procedure, requirements and deadlines of the funding opportunities, please follow the links to the official  DAAD database .

In South Africa

In sub-saharan africa.

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Ca’ Foscari University of Venice Scholarships 2024 in Italy

Are you an international student looking for a fully-funded PhD opportunity in Italy? The Ca’ Foscari University of Venice is offering a significant chance to pursue your academic dreams without financial strain. This guide provides essential details and steps to apply for the scholarships available for the 40th cycle of PhD programs.

Key Scholarship Details

• Number of Scholarships : 132 fully funded positions
• Deadline : Applications must be submitted by 23 May 2024, 1 PM Italian time.
• Monthly Stipend : €1195
• No Application Fee : Applying to these scholarships is free.
• IELTS/GRE : No IELTS or GRE scores are required to apply.
• Visa Success Rate : Last year, the program boasted a 100% visa success ratio.
• Bank Statement : Not required for the application.

Available PhD Departments

• Sustainable Chemistry
• Law, Market and Precision
• Philosophy and Educational Science
• Computer Science
• Italian Studies
• Modern Language, Cultures, and Societies, and Linguistics
• Science and Management of Climate Change
• Science and Technology of Bio and Nano Materials
• Environmental Science
• Ancient Heritage Studies
• History of Art
• Asian and African Studies
• Historical, Geographical and Anthropological Studies

Eligibility Requirements

• Candidates must hold a “Laurea Specialistica” or “Laurea Magistrale” degree, an equivalent master’s degree, or a recognized second-level academic qualification.
• English proficiency of at least B2 level as per the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.

Application Process:

• Prepare Your Documents : Gather all required documents including your educational records, a Europass format CV, a research proposal specific to your PhD program, two recommendation letters, and an English proficiency certificate.
• Apply Online : Submit your application through the Ca’ Foscari University’s scholarship official portal here: Ca’ Foscari Application Portal .
• Follow Up : After applying, ensure you track your application status and prepare for potential interviews or additional requirements.
• Visa and Travel : Upon acceptance, start your visa application process immediately to ensure you are ready to travel by the program start date

List of Required Documents for Application Submission

• Educational documents from Matriculation to MPhil/MS.
• CV in Europass format.
• Research proposal related to the chosen PhD program.
• Two recommendation letters uploaded by the candidate.
• English Proficiency Certificate.

Application Deadline

The application deadline for the fully funded PhD scholarships at Ca’ Foscari University of Venice is 23 May 2024 . Make sure to submit all required documents and complete your application by 1 PM Italian time on that date.

Zahira Bano

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GERMANY: Helmut-Schmidt-Programme Master’s Scholarships for Public Policy and Good Governance 2025

Undergraduate scholarships.

• Master's Degrees

The call for applications for the Helmut Schmidt Programme for Master's Programmes 2025 is currently open.

The  German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) is offering scholarships for preselected Master's degrees in economic development, political development, and social development at German universities through the Helmut Schmidt Programme.

The aim of the programme is to prepares students in a practice-oriented course for responsible  positions in or for their home regions and contributes to establishing economic and social institutions that are democratically oriented and designed to overcome social inequalities.

More information on the Helmut-Schmidt-Programme Master’s Scholarships for Public Policy and Good Governance   can be found at https://static.daad.de/media/daad_de/pdfs_nicht_barrierefrei/in-deutschland-studieren-forschen-lehren/daad_helmut-schmidt-programme_current_announcement.pdf  

Degree Level

The application period for all seven higher education institutions is from   1 June until 31 July 2024 .

All applicants will be informed in writing after the end of the selection process, expected in December 2024/January 2025.  

Master's courses will begin in September/October 2025.

Fields of Study

The scholarship programme is open to graduates in the field of social sciences, political sciences, law, economics, public policy and administration.

There must be a specific focus on the following topics in the master’s degree courses: public policy, good governance, international relations, public management, public administration, civil society, social protection, peace and conflict studies, development and socioeconomic policies.

The following higher education institutions and master´s degree courses are participating in the Helmut-Schmidt-Programme (Master’s Scholarships for Public Policy and Good Governance):   

• University of Applied Sciences Osnabrück - Management in Nonprofit-Organisations
• University of Duisburg-Essen - Development and Governance  

University of Applied Sciences Bonn-Rhein-Sieg - Social Protection  

Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg - Peace and Conflict Studies 

Willy Brandt School of Public Policy at the University of Erfurt - Public Policy  

University of Passau - Development Studies

University of Passau - Governance and Public Policy  

Who Can Apply?

Graduates from developing and emerging countries with a Bachelor's degree or equivalent;

• with a well-qualified first university degree and above-average grades in Social and Political Sciences, Law, Economics, Public Policy and Administration;
• willing to actively contribute to the social, political and economic development of their home countries/regions;
• who have already gained practical experience relevant for the programme (professional experience, internships or political/social commitment);
• All Master´s courses have further additional requirements that must be fulfilled by the applicants.

Scholarship Offer

• Tuition fees waiver;
• Scholarships (of currently € 934 per month) for selected master’s courses at German higher education institutions;
• Health insurance cover in Germany;
• Appropriate travel allowance for travel between Germany and the respective developing and emerging countries;
• Study and research grant;
• Monthly rent subsidy and family supplements, where applicable;
• A four-month German language course in Germany prior to the course. Participation is mandatory.

The following deviation regarding funding benefits applies for the “Social Protection” master’s course due to its blended learning concept: A sur place rate of € 500 per month is paid in the 4th semester (mandatory online semester in the student’s country of origin or another developing/emerging country). 

Application Process

Candidates can apply for up to two preselected Master’s degrees in the scholarship programme.

Please submit your application documents for the master’s course(s) and the DAAD scholarship to the master’s course(s) of your choice, and not to the DAAD. Application procedure varies according to the university. 

Applications must be submitted in German or English. Please indicate clearly that you are applying for the DAAD Helmut-Schmidt Programme (Master’s scholarships in Public Policy and Good Governance).

• Fill in the DAAD Application form only once and make clear which study course is your first and which is your second priority.
• If you are applying for two master’s courses: Please rank the courses in order of preference in your motivation letter, i.e. why your first choice of master’s course is your first choice and why your second choice is your second choice. For each choice of course, please provide clear reasons why you think it will advance you academically and professionally. You must submit the same letter of motivation to both courses you are applying for. 
• Send the DAAD scholarship form together with the letter of motivation and accompanying required documents to the two universities of your choice. Do NOT send it to DAAD.

The DAAD Information Centre Johannesburg can be contacted via email for support, advice and information: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

For further information, please contact the master's courses’ contact persons listed below:

• University of Applied Sciences Bonn-Rhein-Sieg- Social Protection

Teaching language: English, duration: 4 semesters

Blended learning concept:

1st semester at the higher education institution 

2nd semester online, in Germany or the home country/a developing country

3rd semester, practical term in Germany/home country/third country

4th semester online, dedicated to preparing the master’s thesis in the home country/a developing country

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Teaching language: English, duration: 2 semesters

• Willy Brandt School of Public Policy at the University of Erfurt - Public Policy 

Please apply online .

• University of Magdeburg - Peace and Conflict Studies 
• University of Passau - Development Studies  
• University of Passau - Governance and Public Policy   

Teaching language: German and English, duration: 4 semesters

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Documents and links

Master's Scholarships for Public Policy and Good Governance

Application Form

List of Countries

Frequently Asked Questions

Information about the Master's Courses

Please note that this opportunity is not offered by the Department of Higher Education and Training. Applicants are required to undertake their own research into programmes and institutions and are responsible for ensuring that the qualifications will be recognised in South Africa by contacting the South African Qualifications Authority and the relevant professional bodies. If there are any discrepancies in the details provided, the information given by the sponsor supersedes the details provided above. No additional financial support will be provided by the Department of Higher Education and Training.

Helpful links

Scholarships.