Consider studying in Germany for your Master’s or PhD? The DAAD Scholarship 2026 might be for you. Run by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), this famous program helps international students fund their postgraduate education and research in Germany. If 2026 is your target start date, it’s wise to start learning about these scholarships now. They are globally recognized and support talented individuals in joining top German universities.
Many students search for a fully funded DAAD Scholarship 2026 because these awards offer great financial support. Usually, “fully funded” by DAAD means you get a monthly payment (a stipend) to help with your living costs like rent and food – currently around €992 for Master’s students and €1,300 for PhD students per month. The scholarship often also includes money for your travel to Germany, health insurance coverage, and sometimes extra help like rent subsidies or funds for a German language course before your studies begin. It’s good to know that many public universities in Germany don’t charge tuition fees, so the DAAD scholarship mainly helps cover your living and study expenses. Remember, you typically apply for these scholarships in the year before you want to start (so, apply during 2025 for a 2026 start), and application deadlines are different for each specific scholarship program.
Benefits of the DAAD scholarship 2026
Getting a DAAD scholarship offers much more than just money. It gives you the amazing chance to study or research at top-quality German universities, known for their excellent education and facilities, often without paying tuition fees. The financial support means you can focus completely on your academic goals without worrying too much about money. Living and studying in Germany also provides a fantastic opportunity to experience German culture firsthand, learn the German language, and meet people from all over the world. Earning a DAAD scholarship is also a great achievement that looks impressive on your CV and can significantly help your future career. You become part of the large DAAD network of students and alumni worldwide.
Detailed Summary of the 2026 DAAD Scholarship
- Level of Study: Doctoral (PhD) / Masters
- Institution: DAAD
- Study in: Germany
- Courses Offered:
- 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.
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
- DAAD Scholarship Deadline: Depending on the chosen study program; please check deadlines here.
Eligibility Criteria for DAAD Scholarship 2026
To be eligible for DAAD Scholarship 2026 for Masters and PhD Germany, applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Required Languages: English or German.
- 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.
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:
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!
- 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.
- Proof of Language Skills:
- 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.
DAAD Scholarship 2026 Website
For more information about DAAD Scholarship for Masters and PhD in Germany, kindly visit the official website. This resource will provide detailed information on the application process itself. Regularly checking the official website for updates and announcements is crucial, as scholarship details can change. Don’t hesitate to contact the university’s international admissions office for any specific questions or clarifications you may have.
