DAAD Scholarship 2026 Germany | Application Process | Fully Funded

The DAAD Scholarship 2026 in Germany offers fully funded postgraduate study opportunities (Master's and PhD) for junior executives and academically trained professionals from developing and recently industrialized countries. These programs, typically lasting one to two years, aim to provide advanced education and training in development-related fields. The scholarship covers most expenses, allowing recipients to study in Germany for free, as public universities generally do not charge tuition fees. It also offers short-term research grants for doctoral candidates.

This is a fully funded scholarship. Benefits include: * Monthly stipend: €992 for Master's students and €1,300 for PhD students/doctoral scholars. * Health, accident, and civil liability insurance. * Monthly rent subsidy. * Travel expenses, unless covered by the country of origin or other funding sources. * Extra allowances for accompanying family members (spouses and children). Tuition fees are generally not covered, but most public universities in Germany do not charge them.

* Nationality: Open to international students from developing and recently industrialized countries. Ethiopian students are eligible. * Academic Level: Applicants must hold a Bachelor's degree (usually a four-year course) in a relevant subject. The scholarship is exclusively for Master's and PhD programs; undergraduate students are not eligible. * Academic Performance: Expected to have successfully completed a study program with higher than average results (e.g., 75% or equivalent). * Professional Experience: A minimum of two years of relevant professional experience after completing the Bachelor's degree is required at the time of application. * Degree Completion: The last academic degree (Bachelor's) should have been completed no more than six years prior to the application. * Motivation: Applicants must demonstrate a strong motivation related to development, a commitment to social responsibility, and the potential to initiate and support change processes in their professional environment upon returning home. * Age Limit: There is usually no fixed age limit for Development-Related Postgraduate Courses. * Current Study: While students currently studying in Germany may apply, DAAD prioritizes applicants applying from outside Germany.

To apply, students typically need to submit: * A signed application form (available from the official website). * A personally signed CV (Europass format is recommended). * A personally signed Letter of Motivation (maximum two pages), clearly referencing current occupation and choice of postgraduate program(s). If applying for multiple courses (up to three), one motivation letter explaining the choices and priority is required. * A letter of recommendation from the current employer, on letterhead, with a signature and official stamp, and dated currently. * Certificate(s) of Employment from the employer(s) proving a minimum of two years of relevant working experience after the Bachelor's degree, and ideally a guarantee of re-employment upon returning home. * Proof of Language Skills: IELTS or TOEFL (minimum 6 bands; institutional TOEFL is not accepted) for English-taught courses. German language proficiency is required for courses taught in German. * Previous Degree Certificates and Transcripts. * A Research Proposal (specifically for PhD applicants). Note: Some courses may require additional documents. All application materials must be submitted in English or German. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

The application process involves gathering all required documents and submitting them. The specific application form and detailed information for each program, including deadlines, are typically found on the official DAAD website or the respective university course pages. Applicants are advised to check the relevant course descriptions on the DAAD website for specific requirements and application procedures.

The scholarship duration ranges from 12 to 36 months, depending on the chosen study program. More than 1,000 students are selected annually. While many DAAD programs are offered in English, knowing basic German can be beneficial for daily life in Germany. The selection process involves reviewing applications for eligibility, potentially interviewing shortlisted candidates, and making a final selection based on academic performance, work experience, and the quality of the research proposal or motivation.