DEUTSCHER AKADEMISCHER AUSTAUSCHDIENST (DAAD – GERMAN ACADEMIC EXCHANGE SERVICE)
DAAD Scholarships for Foreign Students in Germany
full · masters, phd
- Mostly Fully FundedScholarship type
- Study in GermanyHost country
- ~€934/mo (Master’s)Stipend
- ~€1,300/mo (PhD)Stipend
- 100+ programmesScope
- Database-drivenHow to find
At a glance
full
Funding
€16k
Max amount
Rolling
Deadline
Most countries (programme-specific)
Country
Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst (DAAD – German Academic Exchange Service)
Provider
DAAD (the German Academic Exchange Service) offers a broad range of individual scholarships for international students and graduates to study or research in Germany. As the world's largest funder of international academic exchange — supporting around 100,000 people a year — DAAD runs more than 100 programmes spanning master's study, doctoral research, and shorter research stays. For degree-seeking international students, the best-known offerings are fully-funded master's and PhD scholarships that provide a monthly stipend (~€934 for master's scholars and ~€1,300 for doctoral candidates), health and accident insurance, a travel allowance, and often a study/research subsidy and a German language course. Many DAAD-funded courses are taught in English. Because DAAD is an umbrella organisation rather than a single scholarship, applicants use the DAAD scholarship database to find the programme that matches their level, field, and home country, then apply through the DAAD portal or a host institution. Each programme sets its own eligibility and deadline, so there is no single application date.
What's covered
- Monthly stipend — ~€934/month for master's scholars and ~€1,300/month for doctoral candidates.
- Insurance — Health, accident, and personal liability insurance.
- Travel allowance — A travel subsidy to and from Germany where not otherwise covered.
- Study/research subsidy — A study allowance and, for research, a research/printing subsidy in many programmes.
- German language course — A funded German language course before/during many programmes.
How to apply
Find the right programme in the DAAD scholarship database, then apply via the DAAD portal or the designated host institution by that programme's deadline.
- Search the database — Use the DAAD scholarship database, filtering by your country, status, and subject.
- Choose a programme — Select the specific scholarship (master's, doctoral, or research) that fits you, and read its rules.
- Prepare documents — Assemble transcripts, your study/research proposal, CV, references, and language certificates.
- Apply via the DAAD portal — Submit through the DAAD online portal or the host university, as the programme specifies.
- Selection — A committee reviews applications on merit and plan quality; some programmes interview.
- Preparation — Selected scholars receive funding details, language-course information, and pre-departure guidance.
Eligibility
DegreeA completed first degree (bachelor's) for master's scholarships; a master's for doctoral grants.
Academic meritA strong academic record and a convincing study or research plan.
RecencyYour last degree often must have been completed within the past ~6 years.
LanguageEnglish and/or German proficiency as required by the chosen programme.
Programme rulesMeet the specific eligibility of the DAAD programme you select in the database.
DAAD is an umbrella — choose the specific programme in the DAAD scholarship database for your level/field/country. Each programme has its own deadline, so there is no single fixed date.
Eligible countries
Most countries (programme-specific)
Deadlines
Varies by DAAD programme
Selection
Each DAAD programme runs its own selection committee of academic experts, assessing academic merit, the quality and feasibility of the study/research plan, motivation, and (for development programmes) relevance to the home country. Some programmes interview shortlisted candidates.
Verified sources
- DAAD — Scholarship databasedaad.deofficial
About the provider
The DAAD (Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst), the German Academic Exchange Service, is a joint organisation of German higher education institutions founded in 1925 and funded mainly by the German government. It is the world's largest funder of international academic exchange, supporting study and research in Germany through scholarships and institutional programmes.
Frequently asked questions
Answers below are best-effort estimates from the most recent application cycle. Values marked ~ or (est.) may shift year-to-year — confirm specifics on the official scholarship page.
What are DAAD scholarships for foreign students?
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A broad range of individual scholarships from the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) for international students and graduates to study or research in Germany — covering master's, doctoral, and research programmes.
Is DAAD a single scholarship?
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No — DAAD is an umbrella organisation running more than 100 programmes. You choose the specific programme that matches your level, field, and country in the DAAD scholarship database.
What do they cover?
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Typically a monthly stipend (~€934 master's, ~€1,300 PhD), health/accident/liability insurance, a travel allowance, a study/research subsidy in many programmes, and often a funded German language course.
Who is eligible?
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Generally international graduates with a completed first degree, strong academics, and a clear study/research plan. Specific rules (including degree recency, often ~6 years) are set per programme.
Do I need to speak German?
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Not always — many master's and research programmes are taught in English, and a funded German course is often included. German is required for German-taught programmes.
When are the deadlines?
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They vary by programme — there is no single DAAD deadline. Each programme in the database lists its own application window (often autumn or spring).
How do I find the right programme?
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Use the DAAD scholarship database to filter by your country, your status (student/graduate/doctoral), and your subject; it returns the programmes you can apply to with their deadlines.
How competitive are they?
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Competitive and programme-dependent — flagship scholarships are highly selective, with selection on academic merit and the quality of your study/research plan.
What levels are funded?
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Master's, doctoral, and research/postdoctoral levels are funded across DAAD's programmes, with stipends scaled by level.
Can I bring my family?
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Some programmes provide family allowances and a rent subsidy for accompanying dependants; this varies by programme, so check your specific scholarship.
Where do I apply?
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Through the DAAD online portal for most programmes, or via the designated host/partner university where the programme specifies. Each programme lists its required documents.
Why does this listing show estimated figures?
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Because DAAD's rates and deadlines vary by programme and are updated each year, the amounts here are estimates (~/est.) — always confirm the current figures and deadline in the DAAD scholarship database for your specific programme.