DAAD Scholarships in Germany 2027: Eligibility, Benefits and How to Apply

Are you planning to pursue a master’s degree or doctoral research in Germany in 2027? This is for you. The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) offers scholarship programmes that can help you, like thousands of other eligible international students, finance your education, including opportunities for graduates from developing countries.

However, DAAD scholarships in Germany do not offer one universal scholarship with the same benefits and deadline for every applicant. Your options depend on your nationality, academic background, subject and intended programme.

Here are the key DAAD scholarship opportunities to explore, what they offer and how to start your application.

DAAD Scholarships in 2027 at a Glance

1. DAAD EPOS Scholarships for Postgraduate Study

The Development-Related Postgraduate Courses (EPOS) programme is an important option for qualified graduates from eligible developing countries who want to pursue development-related postgraduate study in Germany.

The programme supports selected master’s courses and, in exceptional cases, doctoral study. Applicants generally need a relevant first degree and at least two years of professional experience.

What does the DAAD EPOS scholarship cover?

Depending on the applicant’s academic level and circumstances, the published funding package can include:

• A monthly scholarship payment.
• Health, accident and personal liability insurance contributions.
• A travel allowance, subject to the programme’s conditions.
• Possible additional support, such as a rent subsidy or family allowance, where applicable.

DAAD’s published EPOS information lists monthly payments of €992 for graduates and €1,400 for doctoral candidates from February 2026. These are published programme figures, not a guarantee that every applicant or course receives the same package. Check the current call for the exact terms.

Covered Fields of Study

Who can apply?

You should investigate EPOS if you:

• Are from a country included in the programme’s eligibility list.
• Hold a relevant first degree, usually a bachelor’s degree.
• Have at least two years of relevant professional experience.
• Meet the selected course’s academic and language requirements.
• Can demonstrate the academic ability needed to complete the programme.

Not every master’s course in Germany qualifies for EPOS funding. You must select a course included in DAAD’s official list.

Apply here: Explore DAAD EPOS courses and eligibility.

 

2. Other DAAD Scholarships for Master’s Students

DAAD also lists postgraduate (PhD)scholarships for eligible graduates across different academic fields. Depending on your nationality and subject, you may find opportunities in areas such as engineering, architecture, music, fine arts and other disciplines.

For the 2027 intake, check the eligibility and deadlines for each individual programme. Some calls for funding beginning in 2027 have deadlines in 2026, so waiting until 2027 to start searching could mean missing an opportunity.

Find a suitable master’s scholarship: Search the official DAAD Scholarship Database.

Use the database filters to select your country of application, academic status and subject area. Open each result to confirm its requirements and application procedure.

3. DAAD Scholarships for PhD Students and Researchers

DAAD also provides funding opportunities for eligible doctoral candidates and researchers. Depending on the programme, funding may support doctoral study in Germany, research stays or jointly supervised doctoral arrangements.

Applicants may need an appropriate master’s qualification, a research proposal, academic references or confirmation of supervision. Requirements differ by programme, and not every research scholarship is available to every nationality.

Explore doctoral funding: Find DAAD doctoral and research scholarships.

Select the relevant doctoral or research category and check the individual call before preparing your application.

How to Apply for DAAD Scholarships in Germany 2027

Follow these steps to find the right opportunity and apply correctly.

1. Open the official database. Visit the DAAD Scholarship Database.
2. Filter your search. Select your country, academic status and subject.
3. Read the programme details. Confirm eligibility, funding, language requirements and deadline.
4. Prepare your documents. Depending on the programme, you may need academic transcripts, degree certificates, a CV, a motivation letter, language evidence, references or proof of professional experience.
5. Follow the specified application route. Some scholarships use the DAAD portal, while certain programmes have additional course-specific procedures.
6. Submit before the deadline. Check whether the scholarship and university admission applications are separate, and keep proof of submission.

Do not use a deadline from another DAAD programme as the deadline for your own application.

Important Advice for International Applicants

Before applying, confirm that your nationality is eligible and that the scholarship supports your intended degree and subject. A scholarship’s monthly payment may also differ from the amount required to cover all your living expenses.

If you are preparing to study in Germany, our guides to German university admission requirements and Germany student visa requirements can help you prepare for the next steps.

Start Your DAAD Scholarship Search

The best next step is to identify a DAAD programme that matches your academic background, nationality and career plans. If you are a graduate with relevant professional experience, start by checking EPOS. If you are pursuing another master’s degree, a PhD or a research opportunity, use the database to find the calls designed for your profile.

Visit the official DAAD Scholarship Database and find your opportunity.