How to Apply for DAAD Scholarships to Study Abroad in Germany

Germany is one of the most attractive study abroad locations for international students. Green landscapes, half-timbered houses, vibrant Bierkellers, and free tuition at top universities make Germany an obvious choice to seek academic development alongside a high quality of life.

Just when you thought it couldn’t get any better, studying in Germany comes with countless opportunities to access scholarships that can maximize your study abroad adventure and make education abroad even more affordable!

Read on to find out how you can apply for DAAD scholarships to study abroad in Germany.

DAAD, or the German Academic Exchange Service, is an organization that funds international studying for students, scholars, researchers, and faculty. Since its foundation in 1925, DAAD scholarships have been awarded to millions of international students.

Although Germany already boasts of free tuition in most cases, a scholarship can help students cover living expenses such as rent, groceries, transportation, studying resources, and more.

Students awarded a DAAD scholarship will usually receive a monthly stipend and a flat-rate travel allowance. You’ll also be pleased to hear that DAAD scholarships don’t have to be paid back and that insurance is covered by scholarships in many cases.

DAAD scholarships are primarily available to graduates, doctoral students, postgraduates, and international students. Before you apply for DAAD scholarships, it's important to understand whether or not you meet the requirements. Here are some of the factors you’ll need to consider:

• Academic levels & fields of study: DAAD supports all academic levels in every field. Undergraduates, interns, researchers, and master’s and doctoral students can benefit from and apply for DAAD scholarships.
• Full-time students: International students who are enrolled for full-time studying are eligible to apply for DAAD funding, except for Gilman-DAAD, where general Gilman application requirements apply. Students taking part in part-time, distance, or online learning courses are ineligible for DAAD funding.
• Age restrictions: There are no upper age limitations for students. However, some graduate programs may require students to have completed their degree or PhD within the last 6 years of applying for a scholarship, for example.
• Language ability: Students can study in German or English to obtain DAAD scholarships. To study in German, you'll need a CEFR level of B2 for the applications, but C1 or C2 for enrollment. In this case, students are recommended to apply with the level they need to enroll. If studying in English, you may need to prove your proficiency with an IELTS certificate (or equivalent) with a band score of 6 if you’re a non-native speaker.
• Citizenship or residency: Students from most countries can apply for a DAAD scholarship, however, some programs may be country-specific. Programs such as the study scholarships for STEM disciplines, for example, are only offered to students from developing countries. You can find your local DAAD office on the official DAAD network which can provide language assistance and local support.

DAAD offers many scholarship opportunities that are available to students of nearly every academic level, background, and field of study. Here are the types of scholarships through DAAD:

Students in undergraduate programs across all disciplines are eligible to apply for summer courses or internships at a German university, including RISE internships. US students demonstrating financial need can also benefit from DAAD scholarships. The Gilman-DAAD Germany Scholarships provides financial support for undergraduates receiving Federal Pell Grants who want to study or intern in Germany.

As the name suggests, the Master Studies for All Academic Disciplines scholarship is open to students from every field of study. To qualify for a DAAD study scholarship to fund a master's degree, students must either be in their final year of undergraduate studies or have graduated within the last six years.

Grants are available for Ph.D. students and researchers interested in conducting research in Germany. DAAD supports short and long-term research in all academic disciplines. Funding can be provided for 2 to 12 months for doctoral students and 2 to 6 months for postdoctoral students.

Undergraduates, graduates, and postgraduates who specialize in scientific fields can receive scholarships for summer internships in Germany through RISE. RISE Germany offers undergraduate summer research internship positions at top German universities and research institutions, whereas RISE Professional offers internships to Master’s and PhD students at companies and non-university research institutions.

Applications for DAAD funding are submitted through the application portal, which opens several weeks ahead of the application deadline. Here’s how you can apply for DAAD scholarships.

• Find scholarship opportunities: Firstly, you’ll need to find scholarships that align with your ambitions. Additionally, you’ll need to ensure that you meet the eligibility requirements. You can use DAAD’s Scholarship Database to see which scholarship opportunities you qualify for.
• Prepare your documents: Give yourself plenty of time to gather and prepare your documents. Ensure that you have completed the online application form and that your resume, study or research proposal, motivation letters, letters of recommendation, and academic transcripts are in order, if applicable.
• Refine your application: Ask for guidance or a second pair of eyes to help refine your application. Academic advisors, professors, or eloquent friends can provide helpful suggestions for the written aspects of your application such as your letter of intention and/or research proposal. You want to be sure to submit your most polished and professional work!
• Submit: Once you’ve attached the necessary documents, proofread your written documents, and made your application bulletproof, you can submit your online application on the scholarship database!

DAAD scholarships are competitive and you are not guaranteed funding even with a perfect GPA. Here are some tips on optimizing your DAAD scholarship application!

• Express your unique goals: Be sure to explain your academic, professional, and personal goals. This will help articulate why you want to study this particular subject, and how your activities in Germany are critical to your academic or professional goals.
• Demonstrate your interest in the location: Studying in Germany is a fantastic opportunity to immerse yourself in a new culture. Explain in your application what exactly intrigues you about Germany.
• Disclose any desire to relocate: DAAD is interested in not only attracting top students to study and conduct research in Germany but also in retaining that talent. If you have hopes of building a new life in Germany, you are encouraged to be open about your plans. Many pathways exist for graduates of German universities to live and work in Germany long-term.
• Talk about German language skills: Although speaking German isn’t a requirement (unless your program is taught in German!), mentioning any language skills you have or even a desire to learn can be beneficial. Learning German shows your enthusiasm and willingness to integrate into society and demonstrates a commitment to making the most of your experience abroad.
• Review your application: No one submits the perfect draft without a review. When drafting your letter of intention or project goal, be sure to ask for someone to proofread your application. Ideally, this would be a professor or academic advisor who can tweak your essay over several drafts.
• Obtain a letter of recommendation: Make sure you ask a professor for a quality, personalized letter of recommendation. This will serve as a testament to your maturity, classroom behavior, willingness to learn, and other aspects that make you a valuable addition to a school or institution.

Studying in Germany can enhance your academic journey and open the door to finding work in one of Europe’s most idyllic and economically robust countries. No matter where your path leads you after graduation, degrees from Germany are recognized internationally, so you can return to your home country, or continue to explore the world.

While obtaining the DAAD scholarship may be down to timing and refining your application - with a dash of luck - your effort will pay dividends toward your study abroad experience! As they say, “You can’t win the lottery if you don’t buy a ticket!”

Read more about studying abroad in Germany:

• How Much Does it Cost to Study Abroad in Germany?
• Top 11 Universities in Germany for International Students
• The 8 Best Cities to Study Abroad in Germany