The aim of the scholarship programme is to support the qualification and employability of young academics and future professionals from developing and emerging countries. It offers the opportunity to continue their academic and professional career in innovation-driving STEM fields in Germany with a Master’s degree in mathematics, computer science, natural sciences and engineering.
Table of Content
Summary
- Application DeadlineAugust 31, 2026
- Study LevelMasters
- SponsorDAAD
- School to study
- Course to studyComputer Science , Engineering , Mathematics , Natural sciences , STEM
- Eligible CountryAll Countries
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Benefits
- Monthly scholarship payments of 992 euros
- Payments towards health, accident and personal liability insurance cover
- Travel allowance (upon application only)
- Annual study allowance of 460 euros
Under certain circumstances, you can apply for the following additional benefits after start of funding:
- Monthly rent subsidy
- Monthly allowance for accompanying members of family.
- In case of a disability or chronic illness: on application, a subsidy may be provided for justified additional costs incurred abroad that are necessary to realise the project in Germany and that are not covered by a third party; whether and to what extent a subsidy will be paid will be reviewed and determined on an individual basis
- reimbursement of carbon offset payments for air travel
To allow you to improve your language skills, the DAAD offers the following benefits on application (only for a funding period of more than six months):
- Payment of course fees for an online language course after receipt of the Scholarship Award Letter
- if necessary: German language course in Germany before the start of the research project; the DAAD decides whether to fund participation and for how long depending on German language skills and project.
- Allowance for a personally chosen German language course during the scholarship period
- Reimbursement of the fee for a TestDaF or DSH test, which you can take either in your home country after you have received your Letter of Award or in Germany during your funding period.
Please note that the DAAD does not cover tuition fees
Requirements
Please check if the following criteria are fulfilled:
- As a rule, your most recent university degree should not date back more than 6 years at the time of the application deadline.
- The legal and subject-specific admission requirements for a Master's degree programme in Germany must be fulfilled. Please note that Master's programmes at German universities are generally consecutive. This means that the Master's programme builds on the Bachelor's programme.
- Please note that you yourself are responsible for ensuring your application for admission to the German university for your chosen study programme is submitted by the due date. It is therefore important that you find out about admission requirements, application and enrolment deadlines at your host university and regulations regarding entry into Germany in good time. If you have not yet received notification of admission at the time of application, you must submit this before the funding period begins. A Scholarship from the DAAD is only valid if you have been admitted to study im a Master’s programme in Germany.
- Your application cannot be considered, if you have been resident in Germany for longer than 15 months at the application deadline.
- If you already have a Master’s degree by the application deadline, you cannot apply.
- You must demonstrate above-average academic performance.
Language skills
The language of instruction for study programmes in Germany is German. In international programmes, the language of instruction is English, or German and English. The language requirements are set out in the admission requirements for the Master's programmes of the universities. Please check whether you fulfil the necessary language requirements.
When you apply to the DAAD for a scholarship, you must provide proof of your current level of proficiency in the language of instruction (German, English, or German and English) in your chosen study programme. You must have already reached at least level B1.
- If the language of instruction is German, the following certificates are usually eligible: TestDaF, DSH, Deutsches Sprachdiplom der Kultusministerkonferenz (DSD), Goethe-Zertifikat, Österreichisches Sprachdiplom, telc Deutsch and onSET Deutsch.
- If the language of instruction is English, the following certificates can be submitted, for example: Cambridge English, Cambridge Business, IELTS, ISE, TOEFL iBT, TOEFL Essentials, TOEIC, PTE Academic, onSET English and Duolingo English Test.
In the section 'Application procedure' under 'Application documents' on the DAAD webpage, find out whether specific certification is required for your country of origin.
When applying for admission to a German university, and thus for taking up your scholarship, you will usually also need to submit proof of language proficiency demonstrating your knowledge of the language of instruction. German universities often specify exactly which language certificates are accepted and what level of proficiency is required. These language certificates may incur a fee, and the costs are not reimbursed by DAAD. Please check the websites of the degree programmes for further information.
Selection Process
- A pre-selection will be made based on the submitted application documents which takes particular account of academic achievements and language skills.
- The pre-selected applicants will be invited to an interview with an independent selection committee of university teachers. The interview can take place on site or virtually. The personal interview is a decisive element in assessing the authenticity of the application and the individual qualities of the applicants and evaluating them appropriately.
Application Documents
Upload the application documents listed below to the DAAD portal in the section ‘Attachments’. Application documents may be scanned in non-certified form and uploaded to the DAAD portal. The DAAD reserves the right to request certified copies of the documents.
If you submit documents in your national language, please also include German or English translations.
Documents to be submitted to the DAAD portal:
- Full curriculum vitae in tabular form (max. 3 pages)
- Letter of motivation, 1 - 3 pages: statement about the academic and personal reasons for the planned study project in Germany. Upload the letter of motivation under 'study project/motivation' in the DAAD portal.
- Letter of admission to the study programme at the host university in Germany. If you have not yet received notification of admission at the time of application, you must submit this before the funding period begins.
- Form 'Information about your preferred master programmes', duly completed (you can enter up to 5 Master‘s programmes). Please note that the DAAD does not consider and formally excludes Master's programmes that charge tuition fees. Upload the form under 'course profile' in the DAAD portal.
- Current overview of grades/ transcript of records with individual grades (to be uploaded under 'transcript of records/academic achievements' in the DAAD portal)
- All university degree certificates already obtained, indicating final grade(s) and transcripts with individual grades for all academic years; if you do not yet have your degree certificate, you must submit it prior to the start of the scholarship at the latest. In this case, upload a provisional doc-ument to the portal instead. Please upload your certificate(s) or the preliminary document under 'university degree certificates' in the DAAD portal.
- Certificate of language(s) of instruction of the chosen study programme (should be no older than 3 years), at least level B1. Please refer to 'Application requirements' to find out which certificates can generally be submitted. Depending on the country, specific documents may be required, which are listed below, if applicable. Please submit certificates via the DAAD portal under 'language certificate', even if the university does not require proof of language skills.
- One recent, supporting letter of recommendation (on a DAAD-form) from a university teacher which provides information about your qualifications.
- Passport/national identity card and personal data page of the passport/national identity card and, if applicable, other documents containing information about your identity and your current residence status. For refugees: Refugee ID card and UNHCR registration/official proof of asylum.
Please upload in the portal under ‘Passport / identity card’.
- Proof of English language abilities, if the degree programme is to be completed in English: Not older than 3 years at the time of the application deadline (TOEFL min. 550, TOEFL iBT min. 79 or IELTS min. 6,5). TOEFL home edition or IELTS indicator (online test) are also accepted.
- School leaving certificate with all individual grades (to be uploaded in the portal under "University entrance qualification")
- Valid identification document (passport, ID card, driver licence or student identity card) including your photograph, full name, date of birth and country of origin. Please upload under “Miscellaneous” in the DAAD portal; please note that you would need an official travel document, i.e. passport, upon your visa application at the latest.
Optional:
- Other documents you think might be of relevance to your application (e.g. certificates of employment, proof of extracurricular engagement)
Check also:
2026 Fully Funded Humboldt Research Fellowship
2026 Eutopia PhD Co-tutelle Call
Application Deadline
August 31, 2026How To Apply
- Applications for this scholarship programme are possible between 1 June and the stated application deadline. Click on 'Application portal' on the DAAD webpage. There you will be provided with an online application form to enter your application data.
For more information, kindly visit the DAAD scholarship webpage.
