The DAAD Doctoral Scholarships 2027 in Germany offer international graduates and doctoral researchers the opportunity to complete a doctoral degree at a German university or research institution. With a monthly payment of €1,400, insurance support, travel allowance, research funding, and possible additional allowances, these scholarships provide comprehensive financial support. The programme includes two options: completing a full PhD in Germany or a bi-nationally supervised cotutelle doctorate.
The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) is a major funding organization for international academic exchange. It supports research stays and full doctoral programmes at state-recognized institutions throughout Germany. Funded by the German Federal Foreign Office, the DAAD aims to promote academic cooperation and international understanding through mobility grants and supervision support.
DAAD Doctoral Scholarships Benefits
- Monthly payment of €1,400 for doctoral candidates
- Health, accident, and personal liability insurance support
- Travel allowance (up to three outward and return journeys for Bi-national/Cotutelle)
- Annual research allowance of €460
- Support for academic supervisors’ travel and accommodation (Bi-national/Cotutelle)
- Possible monthly rent subsidy for stays over six months
- Family allowance for accompanying family members
- Disability and chronic illness support for justified additional costs
- German language course support (online course, pre-research course, or reimbursement for TestDaF/DSH exam)
DAAD Doctoral Scholarships Eligibility Criteria
- Above-average academic qualifications
- Master’s degree, German Diplom, or exceptionally a Bachelor’s degree by funding start
- For Cotutelle: admitted to a doctoral programme by the beginning of funding
- Most recent university degree completed within six years of the application deadline
- If already started doctorate, not more than three years before application deadline
- Not been resident in Germany for more than 15 months at the application deadline
- Medicine, veterinary medicine, and dentistry applicants must check subject-specific regulations
- Good knowledge of German usually required for arts, social sciences, and law; English accepted for natural sciences and engineering where it is the working language
- Written confirmation from supervisor on the working language and project agreement
How to Apply for DAAD Doctoral Scholarships
- Determine whether the full doctoral programme or the Bi-national/Cotutelle route matches your intended doctoral structure
- Identify a suitable German university, research institute, doctoral programme, or academic supervisor
- Discuss the research proposal, timetable, and supervision arrangements with the prospective host
- Register through the DAAD application portal
- Generate the official recommendation form from the portal
- Send the recommendation form to a university teacher for completion
- Prepare all required academic and supporting documents
- Translate documents that are not already in German or English
- Scan and save the documents in PDF format
- Complete the online application form
- Upload every required attachment under the correct portal category
- Upload the completed academic recommendation
- Review the complete application before submitting it online
- Generate the application summary after online submission
- Where required, send one printed copy of the application summary by post to the relevant DAAD office (e.g., New Delhi for South Asia)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are the most frequently asked questions about the DAAD Doctoral Scholarships 2027. These answers cover eligibility, benefits, deadlines, and how to apply.
What is the monthly stipend amount for the DAAD Doctoral Scholarships?
Both the Doctoral Programmes in Germany and the Bi-nationally Supervised Doctoral Degrees/Cotutelle Programme provide a monthly payment of €1,400 for doctoral candidates. The monthly scholarship is paid only while the holder is staying in Germany under the Cotutelle model.
Can I apply if I have already started my doctorate?
Yes, but you normally must have begun your doctorate no more than three years before the application deadline. Your most recent university degree should also have been completed within the last six years.
What language requirements must I meet?
For arts, social sciences, and law, good knowledge of German is usually expected. In natural sciences and engineering, evidence of good English may be accepted if English is the working language of the host institution. A written confirmation from your supervisor is required.
Are there any restrictions on time already spent in Germany?
Yes, you cannot normally be considered if you have been resident in Germany for more than 15 months by the application deadline. Calculate your residence carefully before applying.
When is the application deadline?
For most regions, the deadline is 21 October 2026. However, deadlines are country-specific. For example, applicants from Pakistan must apply by 31 August 2026. Always check the DAAD database for your country’s exact deadline.
What documents are required for the application?
Required documents include a CV (max 3 pages), list of publications (max 10 pages), motivation letter, research proposal, work plan, degree certificates, transcripts, a recommendation letter, a declaration from the German supervisor, and proof of doctoral admission if applicable. Non-German/English documents must be translated.
How are applications evaluated?
Applications are reviewed by an independent selection committee of academics focusing on academic qualifications (grades, progress, language skills, publications), quality of the research project (originality, feasibility, host suitability), and the applicant’s potential (motivation, career importance, non-academic skills).
Is there support for language courses?
Yes, DAAD may fund an online German language course after the scholarship award, a two- to six-month pre-research language course, or reimburse the TestDaF/DSH examination fee. Participation may be compulsory if German is the working language.
Can I conduct research outside Germany during the scholarship?
Research phases outside Germany can be supported if essential for the doctorate, do not exceed one-quarter of the total funding period, and are explained in the research plan. International visits must be included in the original application.
Do I need to submit a printed application?
Initially, applications are submitted online via the DAAD portal with uploaded PDF documents. However, for certain regional configurations, you must also send one printed copy of the application summary by post to the relevant DAAD office (e.g., the New Delhi Regional Office for South Asia).
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