Last Updated on January 19, 2026
Students who are planning to study in Germany or do some research are in for some good news. The DAAD Scholarship in Germany for international students offers financial assistance to meritorious students who are studying at the master’s level, doctorate or post-doctorate level in German institutes. The scholarship is also known to fund internships. The full form of DAAD happens to be Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst.
Amazingly, DAAD offers more than 100,000 scholarships annually. In this blog, we will understand the eligibility, courses, deadlines, and application procedure.
Highlights – DAAD Scholarship in Germany for Indian Students
- DAAD scholarships are for master’s level, doctoral level, and post-doctorate students. DAAD also finances research and internships.
- Although DAAD scholarships are not intended for undergraduates, summer courses may be funded at times.
- Most of the DAAD scholarship for Indian students offers €992 for master’s & €1,300 for doctorate and PhD students.
- To apply for the scholarship, one has to register on the DAAD portal.
- For the course or research, you must apply separately through the specific university portal.
Course Levels For Which DAAD Germany Scholarships Are Available
International students who are pursuing summer courses at the undergraduate level, masters course, doctorate and post-doctorate are eligible to apply for DAAD. There are different categories for each of these. Let us find out the same for each one.
DAAD Scholarship For Undergraduate
If you are an international student, you can get scholarships under DAAD for summer courses. This is applicable to languages, regional studies, and technical language courses for all nationalities. The scholarship also funds students from North America, Britain, and Ireland for exchange, in subjects such as physics, biology, chemistry, engineering, and computer science. Additionally, there is another option that supports only US students.
DAAD Scholarships For Masters
Some of the popular DAAD scholarships in Germany for master’s are for students pursuing professional courses, development-related courses, and STEM subjects. It also supports students who are pursuing Architecture. You can also get financed by DAAD if you are studying drama, theatre direction, musicals, performance studies, dance, or choreography.
DAAD Scholarship For PhD
The various funding opportunities for doctoral and post-doctoral students/researchers are:
- Research grants for structured doctoral courses.
- Research grants for research projects.
- Research grants for joint doctorates through sandwich modules.
- Research grants for a post-doctoral stay in Germany.
- Bilateral exchange funding opportunities for academicians, teachers, and scientists for a research stay
- ERA Green Hydrogen fellowships for postdoc researchers from certain countries
Eligibility Criteria For DAAD Scholarships in Germany
The DAAD scholarship eligibility is based on the profile of the student. However, here is an overview of the general requirements.
- Academic qualifications, e.g. bachelor’s for master’s level, master’s for PhD, completed PhD for post-doctoral.
- You must be academically strong.
- Nationalities are mentioned for each segment of DAAD.
- Time gap between the last degree and the current application
- Language proficiency (English in general, but German in some cases)
- You should not have been staying in Germany for more than 15 months at the time of application.
Thus, you must fulfil the criteria, be academically sound, and your project quality must be top-notch. For more detailed DAAD scholarship requirements, you must connect with a study abroad consultant.
DAAD Scholarship Deadline Decoded
- DAAD scholarship in Germany deadlines vary according to the course you are applying for.
- Deadlines for 2025-26 fall between May and October 2025. Application for all disciplines close by 31st October 2025.
DAAD Scholarship For Indian Students – Coverage
DAAD scholarships cover a wide range of benefits. The same may vary from one course to another. The common inclusions are listed below.
- Monthly stipend – €992 for master’s students and €1,300 for doctoral candidates & post-doctoral researchers.
- Health insurance, accident insurance, and personal liability insurance.
- Travel allowance.
- Rent subsidy
- Monthly allowance for dependents
- Additional subsidies for disability during stay or chronic illness
- Additional stipend for green travel
How To Apply for DAAD Scholarship?
To apply for the DAAD scholarship, candidates must submit their application through the DAAD online portal. You can sign in using your registered email ID.
Please note that applications for research-based or post-doctoral programs are usually submitted through the respective German university portals, not directly via DAAD.
Step-by-Step Application Process
- Choose Your Course and Scholarship
Visit the DAAD scholarship database and select the course and scholarship you wish to apply for.
Then, choose your country and student status by clicking on the “Submitting an Application” option. - Start the Application
Fill in the required scholarship details and click on “Start Application.”
Carefully read the data protection terms and conditions before proceeding. - Fill in the Application Sections
Complete all mandatory sections, including:- Project details
- Target institution
- Academic and professional experience
- Language skills
- Extra-curricular activities
- Existing funding or scholarships (if any)
- Upload Required Documents
Upload all documents as specified for your chosen scholarship. Requirements may vary by course, but commonly include:- Updated CV
- Letter(s) of Recommendation (LOR)
- Details of the chosen master’s course
- Academic transcripts and degree certificates
- Language proficiency scorecards
- Credit recognition proof (for joint or exchange programs)
- Statement of Purpose (SOP)
- Research proposal
- Proof of published research (if applicable)
- Proof of admission for a doctorate/post-doctorate
- Research schedule
- Confirmation letter from the German host institution
- Supervisor’s declaration from the home university
- Review and Submit
Review all entered details carefully and submit your DAAD scholarship application. - Hard Copy Submission (If Required)
Some programs may require submission of hard copies. Check the scholarship guidelines for your selected course. - Application Confirmation
After submission, you will receive a confirmation once your application is processed. The evaluation process may take around two months.
📌 Read also: Intakes in Germany 2026: Winter and Summer Intakes
Steps To Follow Post – DAAD Scholarship Application
So, are you wondering, ‘what after application and acceptance’? Find out about the same here.
- After you post your DAAD application, you must apply for the course at a university in Germany.
- For certain scholarship categories, you may be invited for an interview online or offline at the nearest DAAD office.
- After you get approval for the scholarship, you need to confirm acceptance.
- Provide any additional documents if asked for.
In any scenario, if you need assistance to navigate the process, talk to an educational advisor near you.
How Admissify Can Help
Admissify is your end-to-end consultant for study abroad in Germany. Right from choosing courses to applying to scholarships, we assist you in navigating the entire process. We have a panel of experts in each country, which is preferred by Indian candidates. Moreover, we also have tie-ups with some of the top universities in Germany and across the world. If you want to seek admission to the top universities in Germany and further apply for scholarships, like DAAD, it is best to work through us. Connect with us for a DAAD scholarship application. Free counselling is on!
Conclusion
Getting the DAAD scholarship in Germany is a dream come true for Indian students pursuing education in Germany. You get to cover most expenses and can concentrate more on your research and studies. However, you need to be academically brilliant and strategically prepare for admission to the specific University and scholarship application, thereafter. The scholarship application process can be lengthy and confusing for newbies. So, it is best to connect with a consultant to navigate the application process.
FAQs
You have to compile main documents like CV, motivation letter, academic results, degree certificates, language proficiency proof, and LORs. Your plans must be sorted as well.
To study for free in Germany, you must enrol in a public university. They do not charge tuition fees.
DAAD applies to master’s, PhD and post-doctoral research students.
You must apply for DAAD at least 6-12 months before your course start date. For e.g. between August and December 2025 for the September intake 2026.
Yes, the amount is paid directly to the student. Thereafter, you have to manage the expenses, which also include the university fees. However, in some cases, funds are paid installment wise to the student or university account, too. DAAD does not cover tuition fees, so you must get some clarity on that from the host university.
As a dynamic social media content strategist and storyteller, Bhaskarjyoti blends creativity with data-driven precision to turn aspirations into action. With a keen understanding of what today’s students seek, he has redefined how study-abroad dreams are communicated, combining global trends with grounded Indian values. He also works across student guides, scholarship explainers, university deep-dives, and thought pieces, making study-abroad content both insightful and accessible. Always curious, always evolving – he believes that great content is not just about reach, but about impact. And that the right story, told the right way, can change a life.
