DAAD Scholarships 2027 Fully Funded Master’s & PhD Study in Germany (Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst, or German Academic Exchange Service) is the world’s largest funding organisation for international academic exchange. Founded in 1925 and re-established in 1950, it supports more than 100,000 German and international students, researchers, and academics every year, backed by an annual budget of over €600 million. For students aiming to study in Germany without worrying about tuition or living costs, DAAD scholarships are one of the strongest options available worldwide.
DAAD isn’t a single scholarship — it’s an umbrella of dozens of programmes covering nearly every academic discipline and degree level. The three most popular tracks for international applicants are the Study Scholarships for Graduates (master’s), Research Grants for Doctoral Candidates (PhD), and the Development-Related Postgraduate Courses (EPOS) programme.
DAAD Scholarships 2027 What’s Included
- Full tuition coverage at public German universities (which are largely tuition-free already)
- A monthly stipend: currently around €992 for master’s students and €1,400 for doctoral candidates
- Health, accident, and personal liability insurance
- A travel allowance to and from Germany
- An annual study or research allowance (around €460)
- Possible rent and family allowances for PhD scholars, depending on circumstances
- Funding for a German language course before your programme begins, if needed
DAAD Scholarships 2027 Key Programmes
Study Scholarships (Master’s) – Funds a full master’s degree, or one academic year in Germany as part of a master’s programme started elsewhere, provided credits transfer. Duration is typically 10–24 months.
Research Grants (Doctoral Candidates) – Supports a doctoral research stay of up to four years at a German university or research institute, aimed at candidates with above-average academic qualifications and a clear research proposal.
EPOS (Development-Related Postgraduate Courses) – Targets master’s and, in exceptional cases, PhD candidates from developing countries, funding structured postgraduate courses at German universities. Applications for EPOS go directly to the participating university rather than to DAAD centrally, and each institution sets its own deadline, usually between July and December.
DAAD Scholarships 2027 Eligibility Criteria
While specifics vary by programme, general requirements include:
- A completed bachelor’s degree for master’s applicants, or a completed master’s degree (in most cases) for doctoral applicants
- Academic results typically in the top third of your cohort
- Proficiency in German, English, or both, depending on the language of instruction for your chosen programme
- No more than 15 months of prior residence in Germany at the time of the application deadline
- For most programmes, completion of your most recent degree within the last six years
- Open to applicants from nearly all countries, though EPOS and some other programmes prioritise students from developing and emerging economies; applicants from the EU, USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Japan are generally excluded from certain schemes
DAAD Scholarships 2027 Key Dates for the 2027 Intake
| Stage | Typical Timing |
|---|---|
| Applications open | May–June 2026 |
| Most master’s, research grant, and EPOS deadlines | Around 15–31 October 2026 (varies by programme) |
| Some programmes (architecture, music, fine arts) | September–November 2026, earlier than the general deadline |
| Selection committee review | November 2026 – February 2027 |
| Award notifications | March–April 2027 |
| Studies/research begins | 1 October 2027 (winter semester) |
Deadlines differ significantly by field and programme, so always check the exact date for your specific course on the DAAD scholarship database rather than relying on a single general deadline.
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DAAD Scholarships 2027 How to Apply
- Search the DAAD scholarship database (funding-guide.de) and filter by your country, degree level, and field of study to find the right programme.
- Choose a German university and study programme eligible under that scholarship — for EPOS, only specific development-related courses qualify.
- Gather your documents: the DAAD application form, a hand-signed CV in Europass format, a hand-signed motivation letter, transcripts and degree certificates, recommendation letters, and language proficiency certificates.
- Submit through the correct channel — either directly to DAAD or, for EPOS, through the participating university.
DAAD Scholarships 2027 Application Tips
- Start collecting documents at least two to three months before your deadline; certified translations alone can take several weeks.
- Confirm your chosen study programme is actually covered by the specific DAAD scheme you’re applying to — not all German courses qualify under every programme.
- For doctoral applications, make early contact with a potential German supervisor before submitting.
- Submit well ahead of the deadline, since DAAD’s portal often sees heavy traffic in the final days.
Note: Stipend amounts and deadlines vary by individual programme and can change. Always confirm current figures and exact dates for your chosen scholarship on the official DAAD website at daad.de before applying.
