DLR-DAAD Research Fellowships 2027

The DLR-DAAD Research Fellowship Programme supports highly qualified international graduates, doctoral students, postdoctoral researchers and senior scientists to undertake research at participating German Aerospace Center (DLR) institutes in Germany.

Table of Content

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

Summary

• Application DeadlineNot Specified
• Study LevelPhD
• SponsorDAAD
• Eligible CountryAll Countries

Benefits

Type A

• Target Group - Graduate Student 
• Fellowship Goal - Research in Germany 
• Funding Duration - 9 months 
• Monthly Instalment - 992 Euros 
• Possible Additional Payments - e.g. flat-rate travel allowance, rent subsidy, health insurance family allowances 

Type B

• Target Group - Doctoral Students
• Fellowship Goal - Doctorate in Germany
• Funding Duration - 36 months
• Monthly Instalment - 1,760 Euros
• Possible Additional Payments - e.g. flat-rate travel allowance, rent subsidy, health insurance, family allowances

Type C

• Target Group - Postdoctoral Researchers
• Fellowship Goal - Research in Germany
• Funding Duration - 6 to 24 months
• Monthly Instalment - 2,400 Euros
• Possible Additional Payments - none

Type D

• Target Group - Senior Scientists
• Fellowship Goal - Research in Germany
• Funding Duration - 1 to 3 months
• Monthly Instalment - 2,760 Euros
• Possible Additional Payments - none

Type E

• Target Group - Visiting Researchers PhD/Postdoc Level
• Fellowship Goal - Research in Germany
• Funding Duration - 1 to 6 months
• Monthly Instalment - PhD Level 1,760 Euros / Postdoc Level 2,400 Euros
• Possible Additional Payments - PhD Level health insurance, flat-rate travel allowance

Under certain circumstances, fellowship holders may receive the following additional benefits:

• In the case of a disability or chronic illness: subsidy for additional costs which result from the disability or chronic illness and are not covered by other funding providers: Further information

Requirements

At the time of their application, applicants for a DLR-DAAD Fellowship must

1. not be of German nationality,
2. be able to prove their outstanding study or research achievements in the field of research corresponding to the fellowship offer,
3. Type B: have completed their studies or research with a university degree not more than six years ago,
   Type C: have completed their studies with a doctorate/PhD/Candidate (Russia) not more than two years ago,
   Type D: applicants must be working in higher education or at a research institute; positions are open to outstandingly-qualified academics and scientists who should generally hold a doctorate/Ph.D., additional prerequisites may differ and are stated in the fellowship offers,
   Type E: PhD applicants have completed a first qualifying degree and are currently enrolled in PhD studies; Postdoc applicants must have completed their studies with a doctorate/PhD/Candidate (Russia) not more than two years ago.
4. have an excellent knowledge of English; knowledge of German is advantageous.

What can be funded?

The current offers are published under DLR-DAAD Fellowships - Current offers on the homepages of the DAAD and the DLR in the research fields:

• Aeronautics
• Space
• Energy
• Transportation

Please note that within the DLR-DAAD programme, you can only apply for a DLR institute, not for a university or any other institution.

Application Documents

The application procedure occurs online through the DAAD portal.

Type A: 

The following documents have to be uploaded to the DAAD portal: 

• Online Application form; 
• Cover page; 
• Statement of the reasons for applying for a certain fellowship; Appendix; 
• Complete curriculum vitae; 
• Abstract of the final Bachelor (or equivalent) thesis; 
• Bachelor or similar degree certificate indicating final grade(s): the certificate must be subsequently submitted before the grant-supported research begins if it is not yet available at the time of application; 
• German or English translation of documents submitted in the national language; 
• All university certificates on all annual examinations with individual grade(s), incl. explanation of grading system; 
• Proof of enrollment for Master´s programme 
• Proof of English proficiency 
• One letter of recommendation from a professor of the applicant's home institution 

Type B & C:

The following documents have to be uploaded to the DAAD portal:

• Online application form;
• Cover page;
• Statement of the reasons for applying for a certain fellowship: Appendix;
• Complete curriculum vitae;
• List of publications, if applicable;
• Abstract of the final Master or PhD thesis (max. 3 pages);
• University degree certificate indicating final grade(s): the certificate must be subsequently submitted before the grant-supported research begins if it is not available at the time of application;
• English language certificate (e.g. TOEFL IBT: min. 79; IELTS: min. 6.5);
• German or English translation of documents submitted in the national language;
• All university certificates on all annual examinations with individual grade(s), incl. explanation of grading system.

Applicants are not required to submit any confirmation of academic supervision.

Two letters of recommendation are mandatory, which should be written by senior academics of the applicant's own choice. The form of the letter of recommendation has to be generated in the DAAD portal in the section "Request reference" after registration and downloaded. The letter of recommendation can be submitted digitally by the referees via the reference database, please forward the link accordingly. 

Type D:

The following documents have to be uploaded to the DAAD portal:

• Online application form;
• Cover page;
• Statement of the reasons for applying for a certain fellowship: Appendix;
• Complete curriculum vitae;
• List of publications.

Type E:

The following documents have to be uploaded to the DAAD portal:

• Online application form;
• Cover page
• Statement of the reasons for applying for a certain fellowship; Appendix
• Complete curriculum vitae;
• All university certificates on all annual examinations with individual grade(s), incl. explanation of grading System;
• List of publications.

Check also:
2026 Fully Funded Humboldt Research Fellowship
2026 Eutopia PhD Co-tutelle Call

Application Deadline

Not Specified

How To Apply

Interested and qualified? Go to DAAD on www2.daad.de to apply