Germany Opens Applications for 2026 DAAD Fully Funded Scholarships

BERLIN — Applications are now open for the prestigious 2026 DAAD Scholarship, a fully funded opportunity supported by Germany’s Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).

The scholarship targets international graduates from developing and newly industrialized countries with the opportunity to pursue master’s or doctoral studies at top-ranked German universities.

With the aim of promoting sustainable development through education, the DAAD (Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst) scholarship provides extensive financial support to academically exceptional professionals with at least two years of work experience.

Empowering Global Change Through Education

The DAAD Development-Related Postgraduate Courses (EPOS) program offers a comprehensive academic package for qualified candidates who demonstrate a strong commitment to development work.

The initiative is designed for professionals currently engaged in public or private sector projects that address social, economic, or technological issues in their home countries.

According to the DAAD, candidates must hold at least a four-year bachelor’s degree with above-average academic results (typically within the top third of their graduating class), have completed a minimum of two years of relevant professional experience, and show a clear motivation to return home and contribute to transformative change.

Financial Coverage and Duration

The scholarship includes:

• A monthly stipend of €992 for master’s students, and €1,300 for doctoral candidates (to increase to €1,400 starting February 2026).

• Full coverage for health, accident, and personal liability insurance.

• A travel allowance, unless otherwise funded by the applicant’s home country or another organization.

Additional support may include:

• A monthly rent subsidy.

• Family allowance for accompanying dependents.

Scholarships span between 12 and 42 months, depending on the specific program.

Who Can Apply

The scholarship is open to graduates from countries listed under the Development Assistance Committee (DAC) of the OECD, which includes nations across Africa, Asia, Latin America, and parts of Europe.

Eligible countries include Ghana, Nigeria, Kenya, India, Bangladesh, Colombia, Vietnam, and over 100 others.

Applicants must not have been living in Germany for more than 15 months at the time of application and should ideally have earned their most recent academic degree within the past six years.

Language Requirements

Courses are available in both English and German. For programs taught in German, candidates must demonstrate a minimum B1 proficiency level at the time of application and pass either the DSH 2 or TestDaF 4 examination before starting their studies.

A six-month German language preparatory course is included in the scholarship package.

For English-language programs, applicants must provide proof of proficiency through standardized tests such as IELTS or TOEFL. Institutional TOEFL scores are not accepted.

How to Apply

Applicants must apply directly to their chosen postgraduate course(s) listed in the official DAAD EPOS course catalog. Up to three courses may be selected. Each application must include:

• A completed EPOS application form.

• A detailed CV in Europass format.

• One motivation letter outlining academic and professional goals, and justification for course selection.

• Letters of recommendation and employment verification showing at least two years of work experience.

• Language certificates.

• Academic transcripts and certified degree certificates.

• For applicants from China, an APS certificate is also required.

All documents must be submitted in either English or German. Applications sent directly to DAAD rather than the university will not be considered.

Selection and Next Steps

After initial assessment by the host university, shortlisted candidates will be invited to upload their application materials to the DAAD portal. Final decisions are made jointly by the university and DAAD.

The DAAD EPOS scholarship not only enables individual growth but fosters long-term impact by equipping leaders to address complex development challenges in their home countries.

For more information, including a list of eligible programs and specific application deadlines, visit DAAD EPOS Scholarship Portal or consult the relevant university websites.