Everything You Need to Know About DAAD Scholarships: Eligibility, Benefits and More

✦ Summary

DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service) scholarships fund international students in Germany. Master’s scholarships pay about EUR 992 a month and doctoral scholarships EUR 1,300 (EUR 1,400 from February 2026), plus health, accident and liability insurance, a travel allowance and a study allowance. Most master’s schemes need a bachelor’s degree completed within the last six years; there is no fixed age limit or GPA cut-off. Check the DAAD scholarship database for schemes open to Indian applicants and current deadlines.

Sharleen Kapoor

9 min read • Oct 9, 2026

Germany has long been a favorite destination for international students. India is now the largest source country: 59,419 Indian students were enrolled in German universities in the 2024/25 winter semester, up from 49,483 the year before (Federal Statistical Office via DAAD). Germany has an excellent infrastructure for higher education in science, technology, and engineering. The country also offers a post-study work visa of up to 18 months, which allows international graduates to stay and find work after graduation.

One of the biggest factors that draws students to Germany is the DAAD scholarships – the German Academic Exchange Service program that funds thousands of international students annually. These scholarships are available for programs from short-term research to full PhD.

What is DAAD?

DAAD stands for Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst (German Academic Exchange Service). It is an association of German higher education institutions that promotes international academic exchange. DAAD scholarships are funded mainly by the German federal government and the European Union and are available for a variety of programs including Master’s degrees, PhDs, and short-term research programs.

DAAD is one of the world’s largest funding organisations for international exchange of students and researchers, supporting over 100,000 students and researchers worldwide every year. For Indian postgraduate students, DAAD India data reported for a recent academic year shows 287 scholarships, which is small against the tens of thousands of Indian students in Germany, so competition is real. Source: daad.de

DAAD Scholarship Types for International Students 2026

Scholarship	For	Monthly Stipend	Key Eligibility
DAAD Study Scholarships – Master’s (all academic disciplines; separate schemes for Arts, Design, Music and Architecture)	Graduates taking a full master’s degree in Germany (typically 10 to 24 months)	About EUR 992/month	Bachelor’s degree completed no more than six years before applying; strong academic record; eligible country of origin
DAAD-EPOS (Development-Related Postgraduate Courses)	Graduates from developing and newly industrialized countries (India qualifies) pursuing a development-related postgraduate degree	EUR 992 (master’s); EUR 1,300 (doctoral), rising to EUR 1,400 from February 2026	At least two years of relevant professional experience; national of an eligible country
DAAD Research Grants for doctoral candidates	International doctoral candidates doing a PhD or research stay in Germany	EUR 1,300/month (EUR 1,400 from February 2026)	Academic excellence; research proposal; supervisor or host in Germany
DAAD Research Grants for postdocs and researchers	Young researchers and university teachers for research in Germany	Set by programme (university teachers: EUR 2,000-2,150)	PhD degree; research proposal; host institution
DAAD Short-Term Research Grants	Researchers for short research stays in Germany	Varies by programme	Research project; host institution confirmation
STIBET (support funds at German universities)	International students already enrolled in Germany who need short-term support	Varies	Awarded by the university you already attend, using DAAD funds

You can apply for multiple DAAD scholarships. However, even if eligible for multiple programs, you can receive benefit from only one scholarship simultaneously. Always check the programme page in the DAAD scholarship database, because eligibility depends on your country and the scheme.

Also Read: Can Indian Students Study in Germany for Free? An Honest Guide

DAAD Scholarship Benefits 2026: Complete Breakdown

Benefit	Master’s Students (about EUR 992/month)	Doctoral Candidates (EUR 1,300; EUR 1,400 from Feb 2026)	Postdocs and Researchers
Monthly stipend	About EUR 992/month	EUR 1,300/month, rising to EUR 1,400 from February 2026	Set by programme; university teachers EUR 2,000-2,150
Tuition fees	Not paid under the standard master’s study scholarship. Most German public universities charge no tuition, but some states and programs do, so check your programme.	Depends on the programme	Depends on the programme
Health insurance	Health, accident, and personal liability insurance – full coverage	Full coverage	Full coverage
Travel allowance	Flat-rate travel allowance, paid on application	Flat-rate travel allowance	Flat-rate travel allowance
Annual study allowance	EUR 460 per year for books, study materials and similar costs	Study or research allowance (confirm the amount in the call)	Research allowance set by programme
Rent subsidy	Conditional – based on eligibility and situation	Conditional	Conditional
Family allowance	Conditional – for scholars with accompanying family members	Conditional	Conditional
German language course	Online course after the award and a course in Germany where needed	Language support available	Language support available
Sustainable travel	Options that support environmentally friendly travel	Available	Available
Disability support	Additional funding available for scholars with disabilities	Available	Available

DAAD stipend amounts are set by DAAD and can change, so verify the current figures on the programme page at daad.de before you apply. We have left out rupee conversions because exchange rates move.

DAAD Scholarship Eligibility Criteria 2026

Criterion	Requirement	Notes
Degree recency	For the master’s study scholarships, your most recent degree should not date back more than six years at the application deadline	This rule, not an age limit, decides who can apply. Check the call for exceptions.
Academic excellence	Strong academic record. DAAD does not publish a minimum GPA	Selection is competitive and based on your academic record, study plan, motivation letter and references. Do not rely on any single GPA cut-off quoted online.
Language proficiency	English or German proof depending on the language of your programme	Many master’s programmes in Germany are taught in English; German-taught programmes need German. DAAD funds German courses for scholarship holders.
Age limit	No fixed age limit for most schemes	Check each scheme’s own guidelines.
Professional experience	2+ years required for EPOS scholarships	For standard master’s study scholarships, professional experience is helpful but not always mandatory.
Country of origin	Depends on the scheme and the year	Use the “country of origin” filter in the DAAD scholarship database to see which schemes are open to applicants from India.
Already studying in Germany	Applicants already studying for a master’s or doctoral degree in Germany generally cannot apply for the study scholarships	STIBET and similar support funds are for students already in Germany.
Previous DAAD funding	Check individual scholarship terms – some restrict previous DAAD recipients	Cannot receive two DAAD scholarships simultaneously

Meeting these criteria does not guarantee selection. DAAD scholarships are highly competitive. Source: DAAD scholarship database

Also Read: Cost of Studying in Germany

DAAD Scholarship Application Process 2026: Step by Step

Step	Action	Key Detail
Step 1	Choose your DAAD scholarship type and programme	Search the DAAD scholarship database and filter by your country of origin, level of study and subject. Also explore political-party-affiliated foundations such as Konrad-Adenauer, Friedrich-Ebert and Heinrich Böll, after checking whether they accept international applicants.
Step 2	Check eligibility	Review each criterion carefully: degree recency, language, professional experience (for EPOS) and country of origin.
Step 3	Register on the DAAD application portal	Click through from the “Application procedure” tab of your scholarship in the DAAD database to the MyDAAD portal, create an account and start your application. The portal usually opens in the summer for the following year’s intake.
Step 4	Prepare documents	Online application form, CV, letter of motivation (the most important document), academic transcripts and degree certificate, language certificate, reference or recommendation letter from a professor, study proposal and details of your preferred master’s programmes, and professional experience certificates if required.
Step 5	Apply to German universities	You can usually apply to DAAD before you have an admission letter; the letter can be submitted later, and the award is valid only if you are admitted. Apply to universities directly or through uni-assist.de, in parallel with your DAAD application.
Step 6	Submit before the deadline	Deadlines vary by scholarship. For the master’s study scholarships in all academic disciplines the call closed on 31 October in the 2025 cycle, and many master’s calls fall between mid-October and November for the following year’s intake. Check the exact date in the database now; late applications are not accepted.
Step 7	Wait for notification	Selection takes several months. You are notified by email, and successful applicants receive an award letter.

Tips for a Successful DAAD Scholarship Application

Tip	Detail
Maximize academic performance	DAAD looks for an outstanding academic record. Highlight academic awards, rankings and distinctions in your application.
Write a strong Motivation Letter	Your pitch to DAAD. Clearly state why you chose this specific field and why Germany specifically. Connect your academic goals to Germany’s research strengths in your area, and avoid generic statements.
Plan your language early	Many master’s programmes are taught in English, but German-taught programmes need German proof. If you need German, start in your second or third undergraduate year and allow 12-18 months to reach B2 from scratch.
Apply to DAAD early, not after admission	DAAD calls often close before university deadlines, so you generally apply for the scholarship first and the university in parallel.
Secure excellent recommendations	Request LORs from professors who can speak specifically to your potential. Choose recommenders who will write detailed, specific letters, and give them time.
Explain your plan	Show how your German education will contribute to your career and your home community. DAAD scholarships aim to foster international exchange and development.
Show extracurricular engagement	Research projects, internships, leadership roles – DAAD values well-rounded applicants, not just academically strong ones.
Apply early and check deadlines	DAAD deadlines vary by scholarship. Check daad.de for current cycle deadlines. Late submissions are not accepted.

Do not qualify for DAAD or need additional financial support? GradRight brings 18+ Indian and international lenders to you – compare live loan offers in one dashboard. Apply for Germany Education Loan on GradRight or read our guide to the education loan for Germany.

Also Read: Erasmus Mundus Scholarships: Complete Guide, Benefits and Application

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DAAD scholarship?

DAAD stands for Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst, or German Academic Exchange Service. It is an organization of German universities that promotes international academic exchange through scholarships. DAAD scholarships are funded mainly by the German government and the European Union and are available for Master’s degrees, PhDs, short-term research, and postdoctoral programs. DAAD is one of the world’s largest scholarship organizations, supporting over 100,000 students and researchers every year.

Who is eligible for DAAD scholarships?

Eligibility varies by scholarship, and by your country of origin. For the master’s study scholarships, your most recent degree should generally be no more than six years old at the application deadline, and you need a strong academic record, a clear study plan, and English or German proof depending on your programme. There is no published minimum GPA and no fixed age limit. For EPOS scholarships you also need at least two years of relevant professional experience and nationality of an eligible developing or newly industrialized country, which includes India. Meeting eligibility criteria does not guarantee selection. Verify your specific scholarship at daad.de.

How much is the DAAD scholarship per month?

Master’s scholarships pay about EUR 992 a month and doctoral scholarships EUR 1,300, rising to EUR 1,400 from February 2026. University teachers and some researchers receive EUR 2,000-2,150. On top of the stipend, DAAD provides health, accident and liability insurance, a travel allowance and a study allowance. Amounts can change, so confirm them on the programme page.

Does the DAAD scholarship pay tuition fees?

The standard master’s study scholarship does not pay tuition fees. Most German public universities charge no tuition, but a few states and some programmes do, so check the fees for your programme and apply for a DAAD scheme or another source that covers them if needed.

What is the DAAD scholarship deadline?

It depends on the scholarship. Many master’s calls close between mid-October and November for the following year’s intake; the call for master’s study scholarships in all academic disciplines closed on 31 October in the 2025 cycle. Check the DAAD scholarship database for the exact date of the call you want.

Can I apply for DAAD before I get admission to a German university?

Usually yes. DAAD allows many master’s applicants to submit the admission letter later, and the award is valid only if you are admitted to the university named in your application. Apply to universities in parallel and keep your admission documents ready.

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