DAAD Scholarships 2027-28: Amounts, Deadlines, Steps

Written and reviewed by the EuroGulf Guide editor. Last checked: October 2026.

DAAD scholarships are funding programmes from the German Academic Exchange Service for international graduates and researchers who want to study or research in Germany. For funding that starts in 2027, the main master’s scholarships pay EUR 992 a month plus insurance payments, a travel allowance and an annual study allowance of EUR 460. The doctoral programme pays EUR 1,400 a month for up to four years. Deadlines depend on the country you apply from (for applicants in the US, for example, it is 30 October 2026), so if you are aiming for an October 2027 start, check yours now.

This guide compares the main DAAD programmes for 2027-28, explains who can apply, what the scholarships pay, how to find your deadline, which documents you need and the mistakes that most often sink applications. All amounts and rules come from the DAAD scholarship database and official DAAD announcements, checked in October 2026.

Before I start, an honest note: I have never applied for a DAAD scholarship. What I can offer is the view of someone who has handled a family’s worth of certificates, translations and deadlines during a move abroad in 2025, and who worked on an education and jobs guide site where scholarship timing questions came up constantly. That is why this guide puts the deadline check first.

Quick facts: DAAD scholarships for 2027-28 (as of October 2026)

Item	Details
Who runs them	DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service), mostly funded by the Federal Foreign Office
Master’s study scholarship	EUR 992 per month, insurance payments, travel allowance, EUR 460 study allowance per year
Master’s duration	10 to 24 months, usually starting 1 October 2027
Doctoral programme	EUR 1,400 per month, up to 4 years (initially up to 3)
Tuition fees	Not covered by DAAD
Application window	Typically from 1 June to a deadline that depends on your country
Example deadline	30 October 2026 for master’s and doctoral applicants from the US (DAAD New York)
Age of last degree	As a rule, no more than 6 years before the deadline
Time already in Germany	Not eligible if resident in Germany more than 15 months at the deadline
How to apply	Online through the DAAD portal, for most programmes

The main DAAD programmes compared

Programme	Level	Monthly payment	Key condition	Where you apply
Study Scholarships, Master Studies for All Academic Disciplines	Master’s or postgraduate	EUR 992	First degree completed by start of funding	DAAD portal
Study Scholarships for STEM disciplines	Master’s	EUR 992	Applicants from developing and emerging countries; tuition-free STEM master’s only	DAAD portal
Doctoral Programmes in Germany	PhD	EUR 1,400	Master’s (exceptionally bachelor’s) and above-average results	DAAD portal
EPOS development-related postgraduate courses	Master’s and PhD	Set in programme terms	Professionals from eligible countries	Directly to each course
Helmut-Schmidt-Programme	Master’s in public policy and good governance	EUR 992	Graduates from developing and emerging countries with relevant experience	Directly to participating courses

Artists, musicians and architects have separate DAAD programmes, and DAAD also offers short research grants for doctoral candidates and early postdocs.

Programme details

Study Scholarships: Master Studies for All Academic Disciplines

This is the best-known DAAD master’s scholarship. It funds a whole postgraduate or master’s degree at a state or state-recognised German university, or one year of study in Germany within a master’s at your home university if the credits are recognised. You can apply if you will have completed your first degree by the time funding starts. Funding is only for programmes starting in the winter semester of the following year, so the 2026 application round is for courses starting in autumn 2027.

Beyond the EUR 992 monthly payment, the DAAD lists payments towards health, accident and personal liability insurance, a travel allowance on application, EUR 460 a year for study costs, and, under certain conditions after funding starts, a rent subsidy and an allowance for accompanying family members. It also pays for an online language course and may fund a German course of two, four or six months before your studies.

Study Scholarships for STEM disciplines

A DAAD programme for high-achieving students from developing and emerging countries who want a full-time, on-campus master’s in mathematics, computer science, natural sciences or engineering. Two conditions stand out. The master’s must be tuition-free, and you cannot apply if you already hold a master’s degree. You need at least B1 in the language of instruction, and shortlisted applicants are interviewed by a selection committee.

Doctoral Programmes in Germany

For a full doctorate at a German university or non-university research institute, either as an individual project with a supervisor or in a structured doctoral programme. The DAAD pays EUR 1,400 a month, insurance payments, a travel allowance and a EUR 460 annual research allowance. Grants are first awarded for up to three years, with a possible fourth. If you have already started your doctorate, it should not have begun more than three years before you apply.

EPOS

EPOS funds professionals from developing and newly industrialised countries on selected development-related courses. You apply directly to each course, and each sets its own deadline. We covered EPOS in our guide to fully funded scholarships in Europe for 2027.

Helmut-Schmidt-Programme

Master’s scholarships in public policy and good governance for graduates from developing and emerging countries with relevant practical experience. According to the DAAD’s 2027 announcement, it pays EUR 992 a month for the master’s course, and applications for the 2027-28 intake ran from 1 June to 31 July 2026, so that round is closed. The DAAD notes that deadlines are usually in the same period each year, so expect a similar window in 2027 for the 2028-29 intake.

Who is eligible?

Each programme has its own rules, but the DAAD database repeats several general conditions:

Degree timing: as a rule, your most recent degree should not be more than six years old at the application deadline.
Residence: you cannot apply if you have been resident in Germany for more than 15 months at the deadline.
Country of application: the country you live in and apply from determines which programmes you see and your deadline.
Admission: you are responsible for applying to the German university yourself. A master’s scholarship is only valid once you are admitted to the course named in your application.
Language: you must prove the language of instruction, for example IELTS, TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic or Duolingo for English, or TestDaF, DSH or Goethe certificates for German. Certificates should be no older than three years.

How to apply, step by step

Find your deadline. Open the DAAD scholarship database, select your status (graduate, doctoral candidate) and the country you live in. Only programmes open to you will appear, with your deadline.
Shortlist courses. For master’s funding, list your preferred programmes on the DAAD form (the STEM programme allows up to five) and check each university’s own admission deadline.
Register on the DAAD portal. The application form appears only while the application period is open.
Request your recommendation. Generate the DAAD recommendation form in the portal during the application period and send it to a university teacher.
Write your motivation letter. One to three pages for master’s applicants, one to two for doctoral applicants, explaining academic and personal reasons for your plan in Germany.
Upload everything as PDF. Add translations next to original-language documents.
Submit early. The portal closes at midnight German time on the deadline day, and the DAAD asks applicants not to wait until the last day.

My advice: treat the university application and the DAAD application as two separate projects with two separate calendars. If I were applying this year, I would put both deadlines in my calendar the day I picked a course, along with a reminder two weeks earlier for the recommendation letter.

Documents checklist

For the master’s study scholarship, the DAAD asks for:

CV in tabular form, maximum three pages
Motivation letter, one to three pages
Letter of admission from the German university, or submit it before funding starts
Form “Information about your preferred master programmes”, if you plan a full master’s in Germany
Transcript of records with individual grades
University degree certificate with final grade (or submit it before funding starts)
Language certificate for the language of instruction, ideally under three years old
One recent letter of recommendation from a university teacher, on the DAAD form
Optional: proof of work experience, internships or volunteering

Doctoral applicants also need a research proposal of up to 10 pages, a schedule agreed with the supervisor, a supervision confirmation (or proof of contact with a structured programme), a list of publications if applicable, and a supervisor’s declaration on safety and ethical aspects of the project.

Costs and what the scholarship does not cover

Item	Covered by DAAD?
Monthly living payment	Yes: EUR 992 (master’s) or EUR 1,400 (doctoral)
Health, accident and liability insurance	Payments towards cover are made
Travel to Germany	Travel allowance on application
Study or research allowance	EUR 460 per year
Tuition fees	No
Language test fees for the application	No
TestDaF or DSH after award	Fee reimbursed
Semester contribution at the university	Not listed as covered; budget for it

The DAAD reports that students in Germany spend an average of EUR 876 a month, so the scholarship is designed to cover a modest student budget. See our Germany student visa guide for how a recognised scholarship can serve as proof of funds for your visa.

Timeline for an October 2027 start

When	What to do
Now (October 2026)	Check your country deadline in the DAAD database
Autumn 2026	Country deadlines for master’s and doctoral study scholarships (30 October 2026 for US applicants)
Same period	Apply to German universities by their own deadlines
Spring 2027	Selection for US applicants, according to DAAD New York; other countries publish their own dates
Before funding starts	Submit admission letter and final degree certificate if still missing
1 October 2027	Usual start of master’s funding, earlier if you take a pre-study German course

Common mistakes to avoid

Missing your country’s deadline. Deadlines vary by country, and the portal closes once they pass.
Applying for a master’s you have already started in Germany. This cannot be funded.
Choosing a fee-charging master’s for the STEM programme. Only tuition-free programmes are eligible.
Uploading an incomplete file. The DAAD does not consider incomplete applications.
Leaving the recommendation to the last week. The form can only be generated during the application period.
Assuming tuition is paid. The DAAD does not cover tuition fees.

DAAD terms are updated every year, usually in the second quarter. If you see a figure here that no longer matches the DAAD database, email contact@eurogulfguide.com and I will recheck it.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a DAAD scholarship pay in 2027?

For the main master’s programmes, EUR 992 a month plus insurance payments, a travel allowance and EUR 460 a year. Doctoral scholarships pay EUR 1,400 a month. Extra rent and family allowances may be possible after funding starts.

When is the DAAD deadline for 2027-28?

It depends on the country you apply from. For applicants from the US, DAAD New York lists 30 October 2026 for master’s and doctoral study scholarships. Check your own country in the DAAD database.

Do I need admission before applying to the DAAD?

No, not for the master’s study scholarship. You can submit the admission letter later, but it must arrive before funding begins, and the award is only valid for the university named in your application.

Does the DAAD cover tuition fees?

No. Most master’s programmes at state universities in Germany do not charge tuition, but some states and programmes do, and DAAD funding does not cover those fees.

Can I bring my family on a DAAD scholarship?

The DAAD may pay a monthly allowance for accompanying family members under certain conditions after funding starts. Family visa rules are set separately by the German missions.

Official sources

DAAD programmes, amounts and deadlines are reviewed every year and differ by country. This guide is general information and is not affiliated with the DAAD. Always confirm the current call for your country in the DAAD scholarship database before applying. Last checked October 2026.

DAAD Scholarships 2027-28: Programmes, Amounts, Deadlines and How to Apply