DAAD Scholarship Guide 2027
The DAAD Study Scholarship 2027 pays EUR 992 a month for a German master's. For 2027/28 it is open to graduates from 64 countries. Here's everything you need, in reading order.
ScholarshipUnion Editorial
6 min read
Updated Oct 5, 2026
What is DAAD?
The DAAD (Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst) is Germany's Academic Exchange Service — and it calls itself the world’s largest funding organisation for the international exchange of students and researchers. It was founded in 1925 and has funded around 3 million scholars since then. If you want to study in Germany, this is the first place to look.
Here's what makes DAAD a big deal: it had EUR 742.8 million to spend in 2025 and funded more than 130,000 German and international scholars that year. The money comes mainly from German federal ministries, plus the EU and other partners. No other scholarship program for Germany even comes close.
DAAD isn't a single scholarship. It's an umbrella organization that runs dozens of different programs.
Fresh graduate wanting a Master's in engineering? There's a program for that. Mid-career professional in development work? Covered. PhD researcher? Yep, them too.
DAAD has 20 regional offices and many information centres around the world, so you can usually get advice close to home. Its members are German universities and student bodies, so you'll have plenty of options when picking your program.
Types of DAAD Scholarships
Compare →There are a lot of DAAD programs out there. Figuring out which one fits you is honestly the most important step. Here's a rundown of the main ones.
This is the classic one. Open to graduates from any field who want a full Master's degree at a German university. Programs run in German or English, and you're funded for the standard length of the degree — 10 to 24 months. For 2027/28 it is only open to applicants from 64 countries: Europe, the US and Canada, Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Israel, Central Asia and the Caucasus, plus Afghanistan, Syria, Yemen and the Palestinian Territories.
A full Master's in maths, computer science, natural sciences or engineering, at EUR 992 a month. It is open to 24 developing and emerging countries in Latin America, Southeast Asia, East Africa and Jordan. You need a finished Bachelor's by the deadline, no Master's yet, and a tuition-free programme. Pre-selected applicants get an interview.
This one's for professionals from developing countries with at least two years of work experience. It covers topics like public health, urban planning, renewable energy, and agricultural economics. You apply directly to the listed course, which sets its own deadline. It pays EUR 992 a month (EUR 1,400 for doctoral courses) for 12 to 42 months.
Named after the former German Chancellor. It funds Master's studies in public policy and governance for future leaders from developing countries. The idea is that you go back home and make a real difference in your country's public sector.
These fund research stays in Germany at EUR 1,400 a month: 2 to 12 months for doctoral candidates and 2 to 6 months for postdocs. A full PhD in Germany is funded through Doctoral Programmes in Germany (up to 4 years). There's also the Cotutelle programme if you want a joint PhD supervised by a German and a foreign university.
This funds a full doctorate in Germany at EUR 1,400 a month, for up to four years (awarded for three at first). You can do an individual PhD with a supervisor or join a structured doctoral programme with coursework.
P.R.I.M.E. is for postdocs — an 18-month salaried job at a German university, with the first 12 months spent abroad. The last call closed on 29 August 2025. And if you've had a DAAD scholarship before, the Re-invitation Programme lets you come back for short research stays.
Not sure which one fits? Check our Programme Comparison guide.
Do You Even Qualify?
Full rules →Before you spend weeks on your application, make sure you actually qualify. These rules apply to the Master's study scholarship; other programmes differ. First check that your country is on the list in the DAAD database.
- You need at least a Bachelor's degree by the time the scholarship starts. Still in your final year? You can usually apply and hand in the certificate later. The STEM programme is the exception: your Bachelor's must be finished by the deadline.
- Your degree can't be older than 6 years at the application deadline. Graduated before November 2020? For a 16 November 2026 deadline, you're out of the window.
- You can't have been living in Germany for more than 15 months when you apply.
- You need a language certificate no older than 3 years. Older certificates won't fly, no matter how good the score was.
What You Actually Get
All benefits →Most German public universities don't charge tuition, and DAAD does not pay tuition fees. What you get is a monthly living allowance plus a bunch of extras.
| Benefit | Master's | Doctoral |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Stipend | EUR 992 | EUR 1,400 |
| Travel Allowance | Lump sum, on application | |
| Health Insurance | Health, accident & personal liability | |
| Study Allowance | EUR 460/year | |
| Language Course | 2-6 month funded course | |
| Family Allowance | EUR 276/month for a partner, on application | |
Let's be real — EUR 992/month in Munich is tight, but in smaller cities you'll be comfortable. See our Benefits page for the full breakdown.
Timeline: When Does Everything Happen?
Deadlines →From first prep to arriving in Germany, you're looking at roughly 12 to 16 months. Here's the official timeline for Study Scholarships — Master Studies for All Academic Disciplines, winter semester 2027/2028.
- 11 June 2026Applications open
Create your account, pick your target program, and start gathering documents. Applications stay open until your country deadline.
- 231 Aug 2026 – 19 Jan 2027Country deadline
Each country has its own date. Most fall between 21 October and 1 December 2026 (USA and Canada: 30 October; much of Europe: 16 November; UK and Ireland: 1 December). Israel, Afghanistan, Syria, Yemen and the Palestinian Territories closed on 31 August 2026. The portal closes at 24:00 CET/CEST on the last day.
- 3Feb–May 2027Selection
Selection committees meet between February and May 2027, depending on your country. Some programmes, such as the STEM scholarship, interview pre-selected applicants.
- 4After selectionAward letter
You'll get a formal award letter with next steps. Exact result dates are not published as a single global date.
- 1 October 2027Winter semester 2027/2028
Funding typically starts with the winter semester (1 October 2027). Your scholarship journey begins.
For exact dates, check our Deadline page.
Explore All Guides
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