Application Deadline: Varying by Institution
Applications are now open for the 2025/2026 DAAD Development-Related Postgraduate Courses Scholarships.
With its development-oriented postgraduate study programmes, the DAAD promotes the training of specialists from development and newly industrialised countries. Well-trained local experts, who are networked with international partners, play an important part in the sustainable development of their countries. They are the best guarantee for a better future with less poverty, more education and health for all. The scholarships offer foreign graduates from development and newly industrialised countries from all disciplines and with at least two years’ professional experience the chance to take a postgraduate or Master’s degree at a state or state-recognised German university, and in exceptional cases to take a doctoral degree, and to obtain a university qualification (Master’s/PhD) in Germany.
Requirements
- Graduates with at least two years’ professional experience from the following countries: list of eligible countries
The Typical Scholarship Holder - works either for a public authority or a state or private company in a developing country and, as such, is engaged in the planning and execution of directives and projects with emphasis on development policies having a bearing on technological, economic or social areas.
- holds a Bachelor’s degree (normally four years) in a related subject.
- has completed an academic degree with far above average results (upper third) and at least two years of related professional experience after the first degree (bachelor) at the time of application.
- His/her academic degrees should normally not be more than six years old.
- Applicants who have been resident in Germany for longer than 15 months at the application deadline cannot be considered
Language skills - For study courses in German (scholarship includes a preparatory 6-month German language course in Germany): Successful passing of the language examination DSH 2 or TestDaF 4 before the start of the study course. Therefore, a minimum German language level of B1 at the time of application is a requirement, that needs to be proofed by providing a current certificate.
Note: It is not possible to pass the required German language courses (DSH or TestDaF) without any previous basic knowledge in the German language (at least B1 Level), even with the preceding six-month intensive course in Germany. Passing the language test is a formal prerequisite for matriculation at the respective German university. - For courses in English: IELTS (Band 6) certificate or TOEFL (minimum score: 550 paper based, 213 computer based, 80 internet based)
Note: Some courses may expect a different level.
Duration of the funding
12 to 42 months (dependent on study programme)
Value
- Depending on academic level, monthly payments of 934 euros for graduates or 1,300 euros for doctoral candidates
- Payments towards health, accident and personal liability insurance cover
- Travel allowance, unless these expenses are covered by the home country or another source of funding
Under certain circumstances, scholarship holders may receive the following additional benefits:
- Monthly rent subsidy
- Monthly allowance for accompanying members of family
Selection
- Candidates fulfil the necessary academic requirements and can be expected to successfully complete a study programme in Germany (above-average result for first academic exam – top performance third, language skills)
- Candidates have a Bachelor degree (usually a four-year course) in an appropriate subject
- Candidates have at least two years’ professional experience
- Candidates can prove their motivation is development-related and be expected to take on social responsibility and initiate and support processes of change in their personal and professional environment after their training/scholarship
Application Procedure:
Required Documents for a DAAD scholarship application (in the following order):
- Completed and signed checklist
- DAAD application form “Application for a research/study scholarship”
- A curriculum vitae in reverse chronological order without any unexplained gaps (europass cv)
including exact information about your studies and practical experience - One letter of motivation with detailed reference to academic, professional, and personal
reasons for applying to the programme. - Letter of recommendation from your current employer. The letter must include an official
letterhead, a signature, and an official stamp and must be of current date - Certificate(s) of employment from the employer(s) showing at least two years of relevant work
experience after the bachelorʼs degree at the time of application. The certificate of employment
from the current employer should, if possible, include a guarantee of re-employment after
returning to the home country. - Recent proof of language skills:
‒ English – Proof of adequate language skills, according to the regulations of the respective courses.
‒ German – Proof only required for study courses taught in German - Copies of higher education degree certificates including a certified translation if the original
is not in German or English. - Copy of the complete transcript of records including an explanation of the grading system
For More Information:
Visit the Official Webpage of the DAAD Development-Related Postgraduate Courses Scholarships