DAAD Hilde Domin Programme 2026

The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) administers the scholarship programme “Hilde Domin Programme” with funds from the Federal Foreign Office (AA). The programme serves to support students and doctoral candidates from across the globe, who are at risk of being formally or de facto denied educational or other rights in their country of origin, and to provide these students and doctoral candidates with an opportunity to begin or complete a study or research degree at a higher education institution in Germany.

Students and doctoral candidates funded under the programme will receive a scholarship for a degree course of personal choice and according to individual qualifications. The scholarship is sufficient to cover the necessary costs incurred during their study or research stay.

The long-term goal of the scholarship programme is to enable students and doctoral candidates to complete their higher education studies / respective research project in a secure environment, to be able to contribute towards meaningful political, economic as well as social development in their countries of origin (respectively in Germany or third countries) upon completion of their studies in Germany. The beneficiaries of the scholarship programme will further be qualified through participation in interdisciplinary trainings.

Table of Content

• Summary
• Benefits
• Requirements
• Application Deadline
• How To Apply

Summary

• Application DeadlineMarch 15, 2026
• ValueFully Funded
• Study LevelMasters , PhD
• SponsorDAAD
• Eligible CountryAll Countries

Benefits

Funding of a scholarship encompasses

• additional financial benefits
• if applicable, participation in a preparatory German language course (of two, four or six months) according to the previously acquired and required language skills for the intended course of study or doctoral project
• a travel allowance based on your country of origin resp. present residence
• a health, accident and personal liability insurance cover
• a monthly scholarship payment of currently 992 EUR for master students or 1,300 EUR for doctoral candidates

As a rule, the duration of funding for a

• master’s degree is: up to 24 months
• doctoral degree is: up to 48 months

Requirements

• Students, aiming for a master's degree, and doctoral candidates from all academic disciplines can be nominated, apart from human medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine, pharmacy, and law

  • Important to note: Nominations for the fields of visual arts, performing arts, design, visual communication, music, film, and architecture can be submitted only by accredited higher education institutions and require a letter by that institution confirming the academic ability of the candidate in the foreseen discipline and that the institution is willing to enrol the candidates in case of the award of a scholarship.

  • who can prove or credibly demonstrate a threat to their personal well-being or safety (e.g. physical violence, arrest, denial of civil and educational rights, etc.) to the nominating institution
    • who are in possession of educational certificates that enable entrance to a higher education institution and warrant the pursuit of a desired higher education qualification according to the anabin database
    • who may not be already residing in Germany or the European Union at the time of nomination

Check also:
Scholarship winning strategies for 2026

Application Deadline

How To Apply

Nominations of suitable candidates by the nominating institutions and organisations can be submitted online at any time.

• The following time periods and deadlines apply for nominations and applications:

Planned start of studies in summer semester 2027

• Nominations: until 15th March 2026
• Application period: 17th March until 15th April 2026

Contact: E-Mail: [email protected]

For more information, kindly visit DAAD portal.