Everything you need to know about DAAD scholarships in Germany — eligibility, funding amounts, deadlines, application process and tips for refugees and migrants.
The DAAD (Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst — German Academic Exchange Service) is Germany's largest and most prestigious scholarship organisation. In 2026, DAAD offers fully funded scholarships for Master's and PhD students from over 180 countries, including refugees, asylum seekers and migrants.
Unlike many scholarships, DAAD does not require you to be a German citizen or resident. It is specifically designed to attract talented students from developing countries and displaced backgrounds to study at German universities, which offer free tuition at public institutions.
DAAD funds over 100,000 scholars annually across 130+ countries, making it one of the world's largest scholarship programmes by volume and funding.
Go to daad.de and search for programmes matching your field of study and level (Master's or PhD).
Confirm you meet the nationality, academic and language requirements for your chosen programme.
Academic transcripts, degree certificates, language certificates, CV, motivation letter, research proposal (for PhD), 2 reference letters.
Explain your academic background, research interests, career goals and why you chose Germany. Be specific.
Contact professors or employers at least 2 months before deadline. Give them your CV and motivation letter.
Apply through the DAAD portal at portal.daad.de before the October/November deadline.
DAAD notifies successful applicants usually in February–March. Scholarships begin in October.
Once accepted, apply for a German student visa at your nearest German embassy with your DAAD award letter.
DAAD (Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst) is Germany's largest scholarship organisation offering fully funded Master's and PhD scholarships for international students, migrants and refugees. It covers full tuition, €934/month living allowance, health insurance and travel costs.
Yes — DAAD explicitly welcomes applications from refugees and asylum seekers. You do not need German citizenship or permanent residence. DAAD has specific programmes for refugees and displaced scholars.
DAAD scholarships cover: full tuition fees, monthly living allowance of €934, health insurance, travel allowance to and from Germany, and sometimes a family allowance. It is one of the most generous scholarships globally.
Most DAAD scholarships have deadlines in October and November each year for the following academic year. Some research grants have rolling deadlines. Check daad.de for specific programme deadlines.
Not always — many DAAD-funded programmes are taught in English. However, some programmes require German language skills (DSH-2 or TestDaF-4). Check the specific programme requirements at daad.de.
The DAAD Helmut Schmidt Programme is specifically for public policy and good governance Master's degrees. It is open to students from developing countries and covers full tuition plus €934/month.
Yes — DAAD scholarship holders may bring family members to Germany. A monthly family allowance of €276 (spouse) and €276 per child is provided in addition to the standard stipend.
DAAD is highly competitive with acceptance rates varying by programme. Strong academic records, research proposals and relevant experience are essential. Apply to multiple DAAD programmes simultaneously.
Free email when DAAD applications open. Never miss the October deadline.
Last Reviewed: August 2026 · Source: daad.de (official DAAD website)