DAAD Scholarship 2027 | Fully Funded Study and Research in Germany for International Students (Complete Guide)
The DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service) Scholarship 2027 is a fully funded scholarship programme offering Master’s and PhD study and research opportunities in Germany for international students and researchers worldwide, with particular focus on candidates from developing and newly industrialised countries. Monthly stipends are €992 for Master’s students and €1,400 for doctoral candidates. Germany charges no tuition fees at public universities. DAAD additionally covers the semester contribution fee of €150–350. Application deadlines for the October 2027 intake fall mostly between October and November 2026. There is no application fee.
If you want to pursue a fully funded postgraduate degree or research placement in Europe’s largest economy at institutions ranked among the world’s best for engineering, natural sciences, social sciences, and humanities, the DAAD scholarship is the most widely available, institutionally diverse, and financially accessible path to Germany available to international students from the Global South in 2027. Use Our Free Scholarship Calculator
Key Details at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Programme | DAAD Scholarship (multiple programmes) |
| Funder | German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) |
| Host Country | Germany |
| Study Level | Master’s and PhD |
| Monthly Stipend (Master’s) | €992 per month |
| Monthly Stipend (PhD/Doctoral) | €1,400 per month |
| Tuition Fees | None at German public universities (semester fee covered) |
| Additional Benefits | Travel allowance, health insurance, rent supplement, family allowance |
| Annual Budget | Over €600 million — funds 100,000+ scholars annually |
| Deadlines (Oct 2027 intake) | October–November 2026 (varies by course and institution) |
| Application Fee | None |
| Eligible Countries | Worldwide — developing and newly industrialised countries prioritised |
What Is DAAD?
The German Academic Exchange Service (Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst — DAAD) is the world’s largest funding organisation for international academic exchange. Founded in 1925 and re-established in 1950, DAAD funds over 100,000 German and international students, researchers, and academics every year with an annual budget exceeding €600 million. Since its founding, DAAD has supported more than 1.9 million scholars globally.
DAAD is not a single scholarship. It is an umbrella organisation that administers dozens of distinct scholarship programmes targeting different nationalities, academic levels, career stages, and development priorities. Understanding which DAAD programme applies to your situation is the critical first step before beginning any application.
The Key DAAD Programmes for Global South Students
1. Development-Related Postgraduate Courses (EPOS)
The EPOS programme is the most directly targeted DAAD scholarship for professionals from developing and newly industrialised countries. It is funded by the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and targets individuals with at least two years of professional experience who want to pursue a postgraduate Master’s or — in exceptional cases — doctoral degree at a German university in a development-related field.
Who it targets: Professionals from developing countries, particularly those working in fields aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals — public health, agriculture, environmental management, urban planning, education, governance, and engineering.
What it covers: Full tuition waiver, monthly stipend of €992 (Master’s) or €1,400 (PhD), health insurance, travel allowance, and in some cases a rent supplement.
Why it matters: EPOS is structured to train the next generation of professionals who will return home and contribute directly to development. This return orientation makes it exceptional for candidates who want to build skills in Germany and apply them in their home country context.
2. Study Scholarships for Graduates (Research Grants)
DAAD research grants support graduates and doctoral candidates who want to conduct research at German universities for a period of 1 to 12 months, or pursue a full doctoral degree in Germany.
Monthly stipend: €1,400 for doctoral candidates (increased from €1,300 in February 2026).
Duration: 1–12 months for research stays; up to 4 years for full doctoral programmes.
Who applies: Graduates with an excellent first degree who want to study or conduct research in Germany. Open worldwide, with no tuition fees at German public universities.
3. DAAD In-Country/In-Region Scholarships (Sub-Saharan Africa)
A distinct programme specifically for students in Sub-Saharan Africa who wish to pursue a Master’s or PhD degree within their home country or another Sub-Saharan African nation — rather than in Germany. This programme is designed to strengthen African higher education systems locally.
Eligibility: Citizens or permanent residents of a Sub-Saharan African country.
What it covers: Full tuition, monthly stipend, research and travel grants, access to German language courses and DAAD networks.
Germany’s Tuition-Free University System
One of the most important things to understand about studying in Germany and what makes DAAD scholarships uniquely valuable is that German public universities charge no tuition fees for international students.
This is the law across all German federal states. International students at German public universities pay only a semester contribution fee of approximately €150–350, which covers administrative costs, student services, and a local public transport pass. DAAD scholarships cover this fee entirely.
The result: a DAAD scholarship provides not just a stipend but access to world-class German university education at effectively zero cost. Institutions like TU Munich, Heidelberg University, Humboldt University Berlin, the University of Freiburg, and dozens of other elite German universities are accessible through DAAD, all without tuition.
What the DAAD Scholarship Covers
Across most DAAD programmes, the financial package includes:
Monthly stipend — €992 for Master’s students and €1,400 for doctoral candidates. These amounts are adjusted periodically; the doctoral rate increased in February 2026.
Semester contribution fee — approximately €150–350 per semester, which is covered by the scholarship. International students at German public universities pay no additional tuition.
Health insurance — comprehensive health coverage for the duration of your studies in Germany.
Travel allowance — a contribution toward international travel to and from Germany. The amount varies by country of origin and programme.
Rent supplement — in some programmes and for some duty stations, an additional housing allowance is provided to help offset German city rent costs.
Family allowance — for scholars with dependents, additional support may be available depending on the specific programme.
German language courses — many DAAD programmes provide access to preparatory or accompanying German language instruction, even for courses taught in English.
Language: Do You Need German?
An increasingly common question and an increasingly favourable answer.
English is sufficient for many programmes. A growing number of German Master’s and doctoral programmes are taught entirely in English, particularly in natural sciences, engineering, computer science, economics, and international studies. DAAD programmes specifically targeting developing countries often work with English-medium programmes.
German opens more options. German language proficiency expands the range of programmes available to you significantly and is advantageous in most DAAD applications. If you are applying for 2027, beginning German language study now, through the Goethe-Institute or online platforms, is time well spent.
Application Timeline for October 2027 Entry
| Milestone | Timeline |
|---|---|
| Research programmes and language tests | June–August 2026 |
| Request recommendation letters | September 2026 |
| Draft motivation letter and research proposal | September–October 2026 |
| Most DAAD application deadlines | October–November 2026 |
| Selection interviews (if shortlisted) | February–March 2027 |
| Final results announced | April–May 2027 |
| German student visa application | June–July 2027 |
| Preparatory language course | September 2027 |
| Degree programme begins | October 2027 |
How to Apply
Because DAAD administers multiple distinct programmes through different German universities, there is no single central application form. The application process varies by programme. The general steps are:
Step 1: Identify the right DAAD programme Go to daad.de/en and use the scholarship database to find programmes relevant to your nationality, academic level, and subject area. Filter specifically for programmes open to your country.
Step 2: Find your target course and institution Each DAAD-supported programme is delivered through specific German universities. Identify institutions and courses that match your academic background and career direction.
Step 3: Prepare your documents Most DAAD applications require: a motivation letter (typically 1–2 pages), a study or research plan, academic transcripts and degree certificates, CV, proof of language proficiency (English IELTS/TOEFL and/or German language certificate), and two letters of recommendation.
Step 4: Submit through the specific programme portal Each programme has its own application submission system — either through DAAD’s portal or directly through the host university. Deadlines range from October to November 2026 for the October 2027 intake, though some programmes have earlier or later deadlines.
Official Portal: daad.de/en
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the DAAD scholarship open to students from all countries? Most DAAD programmes are open internationally, with developing and newly industrialised countries particularly prioritised in the EPOS and In-Country/In-Region programmes. Check the specific eligibility for each programme at daad.de.
Do I need to pay tuition at a German university? No. German public universities do not charge tuition fees for international students. All students pay a semester contribution fee of approximately €150–350, which DAAD covers. There are no additional tuition costs.
Is €992 or €1,400 per month enough to live in Germany? It depends on the city. Munich and Frankfurt are Germany’s most expensive cities — €1,400/month for doctoral candidates is sufficient but requires careful budgeting. Cities like Leipzig, Dresden, Jena, and Göttingen have significantly lower living costs and the same stipend goes further. Most DAAD doctoral scholars live comfortably on their stipend.
Can I work part-time while on a DAAD scholarship? Yes. DAAD scholars on a student visa can work up to 120 full days or 240 half days per year — the same as other international students in Germany. DAAD expects scholarship study to take priority.
What fields does DAAD support? DAAD supports all academic disciplines. For the EPOS programme specifically, priority fields are those aligned with the UN SDGs — public health, climate and environment, agriculture, engineering, governance, urban development, and education.
Final Checklist Before You Apply
- Go to daad.de/en and identify the specific DAAD programme relevant to your nationality, academic level, and subject
- Research German universities offering your target course in English or German
- Begin language test preparation — IELTS/TOEFL for English-medium programmes, Goethe-Institut for German
- Identify and brief two academic or professional referees by September 2026
- Draft your motivation letter and study/research plan — allow 6–8 weeks
- Check your specific programme deadline, most fall in October–November 2026
- Apply at: daad.de/en
Last updated: June 2026. Stipend amounts, deadlines, and eligible programmes are reviewed periodically by DAAD. Always verify current figures and programme details on the official DAAD website at daad.de/en before applying. Use Our Free Scholarship Calculator
