DAAD Scholarship 2026 | Fully Funded | Application Process

If you’re planning to study in Germany with a fully funded scholarship, the DAAD Scholarship 2026 is a fantastic opportunity. This article provides a comprehensive guide on the scholarship’s benefits, eligibility requirements, required documents, and how to apply step-by-step.

🎓 What is the DAAD Scholarship?

The DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service) Scholarship 2025–2026 is a fully funded scholarship program available to international students aiming to pursue Master’s or PhD degrees at top German universities.

The DAAD supports outstanding graduates from developing and newly industrialized countries, empowering them to drive development in their home nations through education and global collaboration.

🏆 Scholarship Benefits

The DAAD Scholarship covers a wide range of expenses to ensure students can fully focus on their studies:

• Monthly stipend:
  
  • €934 for Master’s students
    
  • €1,300 for doctoral candidates
    
• Travel allowance, unless already funded
  
• Health, accident, and personal liability insurance
  
• One-time study allowance
  

Additional Benefits (if applicable):

• Monthly rent subsidy
  
• Monthly family allowance for accompanying members

📚 Fields of Study

DAAD offers scholarships for a variety of disciplines, including:

• Economic Sciences / Law
  
• Agricultural and Forest Sciences
  
• Engineering and Natural Sciences
  
• Art / Design
  
• Medicine / Health Sciences
  
• Mathematics / Natural Sciences
  
• Language and Cultural Studies
  
• Humanities and Social Sciences
  

📝 View the complete list of eligible postgraduate courses here.

⏳ Program Duration and Deadline

• Program Length: 12 to 36 months (varies by course)
  
• Deadline: Varies depending on the selected program. Check individual course pages for exact dates.

✅ Eligibility Criteria

To apply for the DAAD Scholarship 2026, applicants must:

• Be from a developing or newly industrialized country (see eligible countries)
  
• Hold a Bachelor’s degree (typically 4 years) or a Master’s degree in a related field
  
• Have at least two years of professional work experience
  
• Provide proof of language proficiency:
  
  • English: IELTS or TOEFL (Institutional TOEFL is not accepted)
    
  • German: Required for courses taught in German (DSH or TestDaF)
    
• Demonstrate a strong development-related motivation
  
• Be committed to contributing to the development of their home country post-study

📄 Required Documents

Here is a checklist of documents needed for a complete DAAD application:

1. Signed DAAD application form
   
2. Updated CV (using Europass format), signed and dated
   
3. Motivation letter (max. 2 pages, signed and dated)
   
   • If applying to multiple programs (max. 3), submit one combined motivation letter explaining your preferences
     
4. Letter of recommendation from your current employer (on official letterhead, with signature and stamp)
   
5. Certificate(s) of employment proving at least two years of relevant work experience
   
6. Language proficiency certificates
   
   • IELTS/TOEFL for English-taught programs
     
   • DSH/TestDaF for German-taught programs
     
7. Certified copies of academic degrees and transcripts (with translations if necessary)
   
8. APS Certificate (required for applicants from China)
   
9. Any additional documents required by your chosen course
   

⚠️ Note: Documents must be in English or German to be considered.

📥 How to Apply for DAAD Scholarship 2026

Follow these steps to apply for the DAAD Scholarship:

Step 1: Select Your Courses

• Choose up to three postgraduate courses
  
• List them in order of priority on your DAAD application
  

Step 2: Apply Directly to Universities

• Submit your application (with all documents) directly to the universities offering your chosen programs
  

Step 3: Wait for Nomination

• A selection committee reviews your application
  
• If you are shortlisted, DAAD will ask you to upload your documents to the DAAD Portal (you will receive a link via email)
  

Step 4: Final Selection

• After reviewing documents on the DAAD Portal, selected candidates will be informed of the results
  

💡 Keep PDF copies of all documents ready for uploading if nominated!

Can You Apply to Multiple Courses?

Yes! You can apply for up to three courses. Be sure to maintain the same order of preference across your application materials. Changing the order later may affect your application.

see official website

useful links:

Italian Government Scholarship 2025

ARICE Scholarship 2025/26 in Romania

One World Summit 2025 in Italy

Republic of Estonia Government Scholarships 2025