DAAD Master’s Scholarships 2026, Germany
The DAAD Master’s Scholarships are one of Germany’s most well-known fully funded opportunities for international students who want to pursue a master’s degree at a public university in Germany. Offered by the German Academic Exchange Service, these scholarships support students from around the world in a wide range of academic fields and help them access Germany’s high-quality but low-cost higher education system.
The programme is designed for highly motivated graduates who want to continue postgraduate studies or complete part of a degree in Germany, with funding available for the 2027 intake across multiple application batches.
Scholarship Summary
- Host Country: Germany
- Scholarship Provider: DAAD
- Degree Level: Master’s (Postgraduate Studies)
- Funding Type: Fully funded (monthly stipend + allowances)
- Monthly Stipend: Approximately €992–€1,000
- Duration: 10 to 24 months (depending on programme)
- Fields of Study: Most academic disciplines (some exceptions apply)
- Application Batches: 3 intakes
- Deadline Range: August to November 2026 (varies by batch)
Degree Level
This scholarship supports:
- Master’s degree programs at German universities
- Postgraduate studies in all academic disciplines
- Partial study or exchange components in Germany
Available Subjects
Applicants can apply from most fields, including:
- Engineering and Technology
- Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence
- Data Science and Machine Learning
- Natural Sciences
- Social Sciences
- Economics and Business (selected programmes)
- Environmental and Sustainability Studies
- Humanities and related disciplines
Note: Some fields such as arts, architecture, and music may follow separate DAAD schemes.
Benefits
Selected students receive:
- Monthly stipend of around €992–€1,000
- Health, accident, and personal liability insurance coverage
- Travel allowance (if approved)
- Annual study allowance (€460)
- Optional German language courses
- Reimbursement for language test fees (e.g., TestDaF, DSH)
- Access to German public universities with low or no tuition fees
- Additional support for families or special needs in some cases
Eligible Nationalities
- Open to international students worldwide
- Applicants from nearly all countries can apply
- Selection is competitive and globally ranked
Eligibility Criteria
To apply for the DAAD Master’s Scholarships, applicants must:
- Hold a completed bachelor’s degree or equivalent
- Have strong academic performance
- Apply within six years of completing their last degree (generally preferred)
- Demonstrate a clear academic or career plan
- Show motivation for studying in Germany
- Meet language requirements of the chosen programme (English or German)
Preferred qualifications:
- Relevant internships or research experience
- Strong motivation letter and study plan
- Academic recommendation letters
- Clear long-term career objectives
- Extracurricular or leadership experience
Application Procedure
Required Documents
Applicants typically need:
- CV (academic resume)
- Motivation letter explaining study goals
- Bachelor’s degree certificate and transcripts
- Language proficiency proof (IELTS/TOEFL or German tests if required)
- Recommendation letter from a university professor
- Study plan or programme selection details
- Additional documents depending on university requirements
Application Process
- Select a master’s programme in Germany
- Check eligibility for DAAD funding
- Prepare motivation letter and study plan
- Gather academic transcripts and certificates
- Obtain recommendation letter(s)
- Submit application through DAAD portal or specified channels
- Apply before the relevant batch deadline
- Wait for selection results (usually announced in spring)
