How to Apply for DAAD 2027

How to apply for the DAAD Study Scholarship 2027: there are 12 steps international graduates seeking a German master's must complete. They fall into three phases — getting ready, applying on the portal, and selection.

Steps 1–4: Get Ready

1. 1
   Research Programs

   Go to www.funding-guide.de and filter by your country, academic level, and field. The Master’s study scholarship for all disciplines is only open to 64 countries in 2027/28, so check yours first. Pick the programs that fit your goals. Read full descriptions, not just summaries.

2. 2
   Check Eligibility

   Degree less than 6 years old? Not living in Germany for 15+ months? Check every requirement on your specific program page before investing time. See our Eligibility guide.

3. 3
   Prepare Language Certificate

   Book your IELTS/TOEFL/TestDaF early. Test centers fill up fast. DAAD accepts certificates no older than 3 years at the deadline (IELTS and TOEFL scores usually expire after 2).

4. 4
   Secure University Admission

   DAAD does not place you at a university. Apply on your own. Upload the admission letter if you have it; if not, you must submit it before funding begins. Master’s applicants also fill in DAAD’s form ‘Information about your preferred master programmes’.

Steps 5–10: Apply on the Portal

1. 5
   Register on DAAD Portal

   Go to portal.daad.de and create your account. Applications open on 1 June each year (1 June 2026 for the 2027/28 intake). Use an email you actually check.

2. 6
   Generate Recommendation Form

   Generate the DAAD-specific form through the portal (only possible during the application period). Send it to a university teacher 4-6 weeks before the deadline, then upload the completed form yourself. A strong letter from someone who knows you beats a lukewarm one from a famous name.

3. 7
   Prepare All Documents

   Degree certificates, transcripts, CV (tabular format), motivation letter, research proposal (if PhD). Everything as clear PDF. Use a proper scanner, not your phone camera. Full list on our Documents page.

4. 8
   Complete Online Application

   Fill out every section on portal.daad.de. Personal info, academics, languages, work experience. Save progress often in case your session times out.

5. 9
   Upload Documents

   Upload all PDFs to the right sections. Open each preview to check it is legible and right-side up. Missing/unreadable documents = rejection.

6. 10
   Submit Before Deadline

   Deadline is 24:00 CET/CEST. Zero exceptions. Submit 2-3 days early; DAAD warns that technical problems can occur on the final day.

Steps 11–12: Selection and Results

1. 11
   Selection & Interview

   Selection committees meet between February and May 2027, depending on your country. The STEM programme interviews pre-selected applicants, on site or online; for other programmes, interviews depend on the country. Expect questions about your background, why Germany, and long-term plans.

2. 12
   Receive Results

   Results follow your country’s selection meeting, so most arrive in spring 2027. Winners get an official award letter. Funding usually starts on 1 October 2027, or earlier if you take a pre-study German course.

Critical Tips

Seven things that separate winners from the pile.

• Start 3-6 months before deadline. Translations, certifications, and language tests all take longer than you think. Ideally start in May or June, before the portal opens on 1 June.
• Write motivation letter from scratch. Copy-paste jobs are spotted instantly. Say exactly why Germany, why this university, and why this scholarship matters for your career.
• Pick referees who actually know you. A detailed, enthusiastic letter from your thesis supervisor beats a vague one from a department head who barely remembers you.
• Proofread everything twice. Then have someone else proofread it. Typos and formatting mistakes make you look careless.
• Follow format instructions exactly. If they ask for a Europass CV (EPOS does), give them Europass. If there is a page limit, do not go over. Following instructions is part of the test.
• Back up every file. Technical problems happen. Keep copies on your computer and in the cloud.
• Check email daily after submission. DAAD might ask for extra documents or send an interview invitation. Respond fast.