The DAAD Scholarship 2026 is a fully funded program that enables talented individuals to pursue a Master’s or PhD degree at prestigious German universities. Funded by the German government, DAAD (Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst German Academic Exchange Service) promotes development-oriented postgraduate study programs to build the capacity of future leaders across the globe.
The DAAD Scholarship 2026 is more than just financial support it is a pathway for talented students to achieve their academic dreams and contribute meaningfully to their home countries. With world-class education, no tuition fees, and a vibrant international community, Germany is an ideal destination for higher studies.
What is the DAAD Scholarship
The DAAD Scholarship 2026 helps international students from any subject area who want to study a Master’s degree or sometimes a PhD in Germany. It is mainly for professionals who have at least two years of work experience and are motivated to help improve their home countries after finishing their studies.
Fields of Study Covered
DAAD supports a wide range of disciplines. You can choose from:
- Economic Sciences / Law
- Agricultural and Forest Sciences
- Engineering and Natural Sciences
- Art, Design
- Humanities and Social Sciences
- Language and Cultural Studies
- Mathematics, Natural Sciences
- Medicine / Public Health
DAAD Scholarship Benefits
The DAAD Scholarship 2026 provides comprehensive financial support:
- Monthly stipend:
- 934 euros per month for Master’s students
- 1,300 euros per month for doctoral candidates
- Travel allowance
- Health, accident, and personal liability insurance
- One-time study allowance
Additional benefits (if applicable):
- Monthly rent subsidy
- Monthly allowance for accompanying family members
Eligibility Criteria
To be considered for the DAAD Scholarship 2026, you must:
- Be from a developing or newly industrialized country
- Have completed a Bachelor’s degree (typically 4 years) for Master’s programs or a Master’s degree for PhD
- Possess at least 2 years of relevant work experience
- Prove your motivation is development-related
- Demonstrate potential for social responsibility and change-making
Language requirements:
- For English-taught programs: TOEFL or IELTS
- For German-taught programs: DSH or TestDaF
Required Documents
- Signed DAAD application form (with current date)
- Updated Europass CV (signed and dated)
- Motivation letter (2 pages max – common for up to 3 courses)
- Letter of recommendation from your employer (signed, stamped)
- Employment certificates proving at least 2 years of relevant work experience
- Proof of language proficiency (TOEFL or IELTS for English; DSH or TestDaF for German)
- Copies of academic degrees and transcripts (with certified translations if necessary)
- APS Certificate (for applicants from China)
Note: Always check the course-specific requirements on the program’s webpage.
How to Apply for DAAD Scholarship 2026
Step 1: Choose your courses
- Select up to three postgraduate programs from the DAAD list
- List them in order of preference in your application
Step 2: Apply to universities
- Submit your complete application directly to the respective German universities offering your selected courses
Step 3: Wait for nomination
- A selection committee will nominate shortlisted candidates
Step 4: Upload documents to DAAD Portal
- If shortlisted, you will receive a link from DAAD to upload your application to their online portal
Important: Keep a copy of every document ready in PDF format for uploading
Why Study in Germany
- Top-Quality Education
Germany has some of the highest-ranked universities in Europe and is the most popular non-English-speaking study destination. - No Tuition Fees
Public universities in Germany charge no tuition fees, even for international students. You only pay a nominal administrative fee. - Post-Study Work Opportunities
After graduation, you can stay in Germany for up to 18 months to find a job. - High Quality of Life
Major cities like Berlin, Munich, and Hamburg offer excellent infrastructure, culture, and student-friendly environments. - Multicultural Environment
Germany hosts over 300,000 international students and is centrally located in Europe, making travel to nearby countries easy and affordable.
DAAD Scholarship 2026: Overview
| Scholarship Name | DAAD Scholarship 2026 |
| Country | Germany |
| Level of Study | Master’s / PhD |
| Funding Type | Fully Funded |
| Eligible Countries | Developing and newly industrialized countries |
| Monthly Stipend | €934 for Master’s / €1300 for PhD |
| Additional Benefits | Travel allowance, insurance, rent & family subsidy (if applicable) |
| Fields of Study | Economics, Law, Engineering, Health, Social Sciences, Arts, and more |
| Program Duration | 12 to 36 months (depends on course) |
| Work Experience Requirement | Minimum 2 years of relevant professional experience |
| Language Requirement | English (TOEFL/IELTS) or German (DSH/TestDaF), based on program language |
| Application Limit | Up to 3 courses (in order of preference) |
| Application Process | Apply to universities → Shortlisting → Upload to DAAD Portal |
| Application Deadline | Varies by course (Check individual course deadlines) |
| Official Website | www.daad.de/en |