The DAAD Study Scholarships 2026 provide fully funded opportunities for international graduates to pursue postgraduate Master’s studies in Germany. This prestigious scholarship programme, funded by the German Federal Foreign Office, supports academic training through monthly stipends, travel allowances, and comprehensive insurance coverage for selected candidates.
The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) is a joint organisation of German higher education institutions and student bodies, dedicated to promoting international academic cooperation. It offers a wide range of scholarship programmes for students, researchers, and faculty members worldwide, supporting study and research visits to Germany.
DAAD Study Scholarships Benefits
- Scholarship payments of 992 euros a month
- Payments towards health, accident and personal liability insurance cover
- Travel allowance
- Annually study allowance of € 460
- Monthly rent subsidy (under certain circumstances)
- Monthly allowance for accompanying members of family (under certain circumstances)
- Subsidy for disability or chronic illness (on application)
- Green Mobility Top Up or reimbursement of carbon offset payments for air travel
- Payment of course fees for an online language course
- German language course (2, 4 or 6 months) before study visit if necessary
- Allowance for a personally chosen German language course during scholarship period
- Reimbursement of TestDaF or DSH test fees
DAAD Study Scholarships Eligibility Criteria
- Completed first degree (e.g. Bachelor’s or Diplom) at latest by funding period begins
- University degree should not date back more than 6 years at application deadline
- Responsible for ensuring application for admission to German university submitted by due date
- Must submit admission notification before funding period begins if not available at application
- Periods of study/work placement outside Germany only funded under specific conditions
- Cannot have been resident in Germany for longer than 15 months at application deadline
- Proof of proficiency in language of instruction (German or English) required
How to Apply for DAAD Study Scholarships
- Register in the DAAD portal
- Request recommendation form in DAAD Portal as writable PDF
- Send recommendation form to university teacher for completion
- Upload completed recommendation form in portal under ‘Letter of Recommendation’
- Prepare application documents
- Translate documents if necessary (to German or English)
- Scan paper documents and save in PDF format
- Fill out online application form in DAAD portal
- Upload application documents to portal in PDF format
- Submit application online
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are the most frequently asked questions about the DAAD Study Scholarships. These answers cover eligibility requirements, benefits, application procedures, and important deadlines for this fully funded Master’s programme in Germany.
What is the objective of the DAAD Study Scholarships programme?
The scholarship programme offers the opportunity to continue academic education in Germany with a postgraduate course of study. The scholarships are funded by the German Federal Foreign Office for graduates wishing to pursue Master’s studies in Germany.
Who is eligible to apply for these scholarships?
Applicants must have completed their first degree (e.g. Bachelor’s or Diplom) at the latest by the time the funding period begins. The university degree should not date back more than 6 years at the time of application deadline. Applicants cannot have been resident in Germany for longer than 15 months at the application deadline.
What can be funded through this scholarship programme?
The programme funds either a whole postgraduate or Master’s degree programme completed at a state or state-recognised university in Germany, or one year of study in Germany as part of a second or Master’s degree completed at the home university. Funding is only available for degree programmes starting in the winter semester of the following year.
What is the duration of funding for these scholarships?
Depending on the length of the chosen programme, the scholarship is intended for visits between 10 and 24 months. The scholarships are awarded for the duration of the standard period of study for the chosen programme (up to a maximum of 24 months). Funding must begin in 2026, usually on 1st October 2026.
What benefits are included in the DAAD Study Scholarships?
Benefits include monthly scholarship payments of 992 euros, health/accident/personal liability insurance cover, travel allowance, annual study allowance of €460, possible rent subsidy, family allowance, disability subsidies, Green Mobility Top Up, language course support, and test fee reimbursements. The DAAD does not cover tuition fees.
What language skills are required for application?
Proof of proficiency in the language of instruction (German or English) is required. For German: TestDaF, DSH, DSD, Goethe-Zertifikat, ÖSD, telc Deutsch or onSET Deutsch. For English: Cambridge English, IELTS, TOEFL iBT, TOEIC, PTE Academic or onSET English certificates.
What documents are required for the application?
Required documents include curriculum vitae (max 3 pages), letter of motivation (1-3 pages), letter of admission to German university, ‘Information about your preferred master programmes’ form, proof of credit recognition (if applicable), transcripts, degree certificate, language certificates, and one letter of recommendation from a university teacher.
How does the application process work?
Applications are submitted online through the DAAD portal during the application period. Applicants must register, request a recommendation form, complete the online application form, upload all required documents as PDFs, and submit the application before the deadline. The portal closes at 24:00 CET/CEST on the last application day.
What are the selection criteria for these scholarships?
Selection criteria include academic qualification (achievements, certificates, language skills), quality of study project (preparation, integration into career path), and applicant potential (motivation, prospects, extracurricular commitment). An independent selection committee reviews applications.
Where can I find more information about these scholarships?
More information is available on the DAAD website sections ‘Important information for scholarship applicants’, ‘Study programmes and language courses’, and ‘Plan your studies’. The campaign website study-in-germany.de also provides relevant information for prospective students.
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