DAAD Required Documents 2027
The documents you must prepare for the DAAD Study Scholarship 2027 before the portal opens — the mandatory checklist, program-specific extras and the formatting rules DAAD enforces.
ScholarshipUnion Editorial
3 min read
Updated Oct 5, 2026
Document Checklist
Check off each document as you prepare it. Start at least 3 months before the deadline.
All mandatory documents ready! Double-check program-specific extras below.
Program-Specific Extras
Some programs need additional documents on top of the checklist. Here's what's extra for each.
EPOS / Helmut Schmidt: Employment Certificates
EPOS: prove at least 2 years of relevant work experience after your Bachelor's with employer certificates, plus a recommendation letter from your current employer. Helmut Schmidt: confirmations of relevant professional experience or internships.
PhD / Postdoc: Publications and Proposal
All published works: journal articles, conference papers, book chapters. Use consistent citation style.
Research question, methodology, theoretical background, timeline, and significance. DAAD caps it at 10 pages in total.
Creative Fields: Portfolio
Architecture, fine arts, design, music. Show your best work and creative growth. Check your program for format/size rules.
Formatting Rules
DAAD is strict about completeness and format. Get these right.
- 1Scans Are Fine
You can upload non-certified scans of your documents. DAAD reserves the right to ask for certified copies later, so keep the originals to hand.
- 2Everything Must Be PDF
No Word docs, no JPEGs. Upload everything as PDF. Each file readable, right-side up, within the portal’s file size limit.
- 3Translate Into German or English
Documents not in German or English need a German or English translation. For the DAAD application it does not have to be certified, and you may translate it yourself. Upload the original and the translation together.
Mistakes That Get People Rejected
DAAD won't chase you for missing stuff. They just reject you.
- Missing documents. The #1 killer. Leave out one thing and you are done. Use the portal checklist and go through it twice.
- Expired language certificates. DAAD accepts certificates up to 3 years old, but IELTS and TOEFL scores usually expire after 2. Check your certificate date against the deadline before doing anything else.
- Missing translations. A document in your national language with no German or English translation is incomplete. DAAD does not require certified translations, but your university might.
- No grading scale on transcripts. Evaluators cannot judge your grades without context. Get a separate grading scale document if not on the transcript.
- Wrong recommendation form. DAAD has their own specific form. A letter on university letterhead will not cut it. Generate the form in the portal during the application period.
- Terrible scan quality. Blurry scans, cut-off edges, dark shadows. Use a proper flatbed scanner and check every file after uploading.