DAAD Development-Related Postgraduate Scholarships in Germany

DAAD, the German Academic Exchange Service, provides scholarships for graduates from developing and newly industrialized countries to pursue a postgraduate or Master's degree at a state or state-recognized German university. In exceptional cases, doctoral study is also supported. You must have at least two years of professional experience. The scholarship leads to a Master's or PhD qualification earned in Germany.

• Host: German universities offering development-related postgraduate courses
• Level: Master's or PhD
• Study destination: Germany
• Deadline: Around August to October 2026, varying by course
• Awards: Limited number
• Covered: Monthly stipend, insurance, travel allowance
• For: Graduates from eligible developing and newly industrialized countries

German universities that offer development-related postgraduate courses.

Master's or PhD courses in Economic Sciences, Business Administration, Political Economics; Development Cooperation; Engineering and Related Sciences; Mathematics; Regional and Urban Planning; Agricultural and Forest Sciences; Natural and Environmental Sciences; Medicine and Public Health; Social Sciences, Education and Law; and Media Studies.

See the list of all Postgraduate courses with application deadlines 2027/28.

Limited.

Students from eligible countries.

The scholarship provides monthly payments of 992 euros for graduates or 1,300 euros for doctoral candidates. It also covers payments towards health, accident and personal liability insurance cover, plus a travel allowance, unless these expenses are covered by your home country or another funding source. In certain circumstances, you may also receive a monthly rent subsidy and a monthly allowance for accompanying family members.

The scholarship duration is 12 to 24 months for Master's (depending on the institution) and 42 months for PhD.

Eligibility:

The typical scholarship holder:

• Is currently working for a public authority or a state or private company in a developing country, involved in planning and executing directives and projects focused on development policies in technological, economic or social areas

• Holds a Bachelor's degree (normally four years) in a related subject.

• Has completed an academic degree with far above average results (upper third) and at least two years of related professional experience after the first degree (bachelor) at the time of application

• His/her academic degrees should normally not be more than six years old.

• Is a national of a country listed on the OECD-DAC list (except Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia, Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia (including Kosovo), Turkey)

• For study courses in German: At the time of application, a current German language certificate according to the requirements of the respective study course, but no older than two years, must be submitted to prove a minimum of B1 level. The DAAD scholarship includes a preparatory German language course in Germany of up to six months. This course prepares the scholarship holders for the DSH 2 or TestDaF 4 or Telc C1 (university) language exams. Passing these exams is a formal requirement for enrolling in the courses in German.

• For courses in English: Proof of adequate language skills, according to the regulations of the respective course.

Applications must be made directly to the respective course. Please refer to the respective course websites for the application procedure, the application deadline, and the documents to be submitted. Deadline varies depending on the course but falls around August-October 2026.

It is important to read the FAQs and the 2027/2028 brochure and visit the official website to access the application form and for complete information on how to apply for this scholarship.

• Who can apply for this scholarship? Graduates from developing and newly industrialized countries who hold a Bachelor's degree (normally four years) in a related subject, have at least two years of professional experience, and are nationals of eligible OECD-DAC countries (with some exceptions).
• What does the scholarship cover? Monthly payments of 992 euros for graduates or 1,300 euros for doctoral candidates, insurance cover, travel allowance, and in some cases rent subsidy and family allowance.
• What is the deadline? Deadlines vary by course, but generally fall around August to October 2026.
• How do I apply? Apply directly to the respective course. Check the course website for the application procedure, deadline, and required documents.
• Do I need to know German? For courses taught in German, you need a current German language certificate proving at least B1 level at the time of application. For English-taught courses, proof of adequate English skills per the course regulations.
• How long is the scholarship? 12 to 24 months for Master's (depending on the institution) and 42 months for PhD.

• Read the official DAAD FAQs and the 2027/2028 brochure carefully before you start.
• Prepare your documents early: degree certificates, transcripts, language certificates, and proof of professional experience.
• Check the language requirements for your chosen course and register for any needed test well in advance.
• Contact your chosen course directly if you have questions about the application process.
• Submit your application before the course-specific deadline, which may be earlier than the general August-October window.