Every year the Foundation awards scholarships to committed students and doctoral candidates who have successfully completed a higher education programme in their country of origin, are pursuing post-graduate studies (post-graduate courses/Master's programme) or a doctorate or who are doing at least a 4-semester research project at a higher education institution in Germany. The scholarship programme is primarily aimed at international students and doctoral candidates from non-EU countries. Successful candidates are given the opportunity to complete a German higher education qualification, earn a doctorate or acquire additional knowledge in their academic fields. The Foundation's goal is to help further the education and training of young academics, expecting them to shoulder responsibility for the state and society in their home countries after their return. The sponsorship amount and duration depend on the academic goals of the applicant. In addition, a number of allowances and contributions may be applied for.
Table of Content
Summary
Subscribe for Scholarship Alert!
Benefits
- Graduates receive a monthly grant of 934 EUR.
- PhD students, subject to fulfilment of the requirements for unconditional admission to a doctoral programme at an institution of higher education in Germany, as well as scholarship holders with a degree comparable to a Master's degree from a German higher education institution who are coming to Germany for the purpose of research and can provide evidence of at least 2 years of academic activity upon the start of the scholarship, receive a monthly grant of 1,400 EUR.
- The Foundation grants a number of allowances and contributions, i.e. to health- and long-term care insurance as well as child- and family allowances, if applicable. See here for further information.
Requirements
- Good German language skills (B2 level)
- Proof of excellent academic merit
- Solid set of values
- General and political involvement
- Be proactive
- Character: eligible applicants are driven, open-minded and have a lot of potential to achieve the goals they have set for themselves in their academic studies and life.
Application Documents
- A meaningful CV in tabular form including details about your previous voluntary work or social commitment.
- Motivation letter.
- Copies of your examination certificates in German translation if the originals are not in English.
- Copies of your studies performance records if you have been studying at a University in Germany.
- Proof of German language skills (B 2).
- An informal academic letter of recommendation: This letter should provide information about your academic qualifications and potential; it should not be older than two month. The author has to be a university professor or teacher holding a doctoral degree.
- An informal letter of recommendation concerning the applicant’s personality: This letter should focus on your personality and interests as well as on your understanding of values and your social commitment. The author cannot be the same as the one providing the academic letter of recommendation.
- Certificate of admission or matriculation from your university in Germany.
If you are applying for a PhD-Scholarship, please add the following documents:
- A detailed description of your doctoral thesis: This exposé should be written in German or English (5-10 pages; font size 12; 1.5 line spacing) and should outline the central research question of your proposed project, its scientific relevance, your theoretical approach and the motives behind your choice of the research subject. It should also contain a work and time schedule and a bibliography.
- A second academic letter of recommendation: This second letter should be written by the supervisor of your doctoral thesis, providing you already have one. It replaces the letter of recommendation concerning the applicant’s personality.
- A confirmation of supervision by your doctor-father or -mother
Application Deadline
July 15, 2025How To Apply
There are two ways to apply for our scholarship program:
1) Each year new focus countries or regions are determined for our selection procedures. In 2025 we will focus on Central Asia (Tashkent), Mongolia und Mexico and interviews will be conducted online. If you are living in one of these countries, you may send your written application directly to the responsible KAS office – please check their web-sites for the exact procedure and addressee. Students living in countries that are not listed cannot apply for the international selection procedure in 2025.
2) In case you are already living or studying in Germany, you are welcome to apply for a scholarship via the domestic selection program using our online procedure. Please fill out the application form online and upload all required application documents. Please do not send in any documents by mail as these will not be considered. The application period ends on July 15th (12:00/noon) each year for the domestic procedure.
If you are applying to our domestical selection procedure – and not via our international offices – please apply on the Campus KAS Portal and upload the requested documents there.
Contact [email protected] to make an enquiry.
For more information, kindly visit DAAD scholarship webpage.
