Call for Applications: 2026 DAAD GROW – Global Research Opportunities for the South (scholarships for early career researchers)

Ednah Carrick April 9, 2026

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Closing Date: 30 April 2026

Call for Applications: 2026 DAAD GROW – Global Research Opportunities for the South (scholarships for early career researchers)

Objective

The GROW – Global Research Opportunities for the South programme is aimed at early career researchers as well as established academics and scientists from countries on the OECD DAC list in Sub Saharan Africa: Latin America and Asia are additionally envisaged as target regions. It funds short research stays in Germany as well as preparatory and cooperation visits to support the implementation of development related research projects and the establishment of international scientific collaborations.

DAAD Scholarship holders will deepen their subject specific, methodological and analytical skills, expand their scientific networks and increase their visibility in the international research context. After completion of the funding period, they will apply the knowledge and contacts gained at their home institutions and contribute there to research, teaching, knowledge transfer and institutional development. The programme is financed by funds from the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).

Who can apply?

Applications are open to doctoral candidates, postdoctoral researchers, university teachers and established academics and scientists from countries on the OECD DAC list—primarily in Sub-Saharan Africa, but also in Latin America and Asia, who are employed at a university or a research institute.
Women, socioeconomically disadvantaged individuals and persons from disadvantaged regions or groups are especially encouraged to apply. You are not eligible to apply if you are already in Germany at the time of application or are conducting your entire doctoral or postdoctoral research at a German higher education institution.

What can be funded?

The GROW – Global Research Opportunities for the South programme is aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which provide an internationally recognised framework for addressing global challenges in areas such as health, education, climate, governance, social inclusion and innovation systems.

Both programme lines support research and cooperation projects that have a clear reference to at least one SDG and are expected to yield concrete development related benefits. The SDG reference serves as a substantive orientation for evaluating proposals and underscores the programme’s aim to support development relevant and transfer oriented research.

The programme includes two programme lines:

Programme Line 1: Preparatory and Cooperation Visits
Funding is provided for stays at a public or state recognised university or non university research institution in Germany, aimed at identifying and developing joint research topics/projects (including the development of joint publication ideas and third party funding proposals) with high development relevance and establishing international cooperation and networks.
Programme Line 2: Research Stays
Funding is provided for research stays to carry out an independent research project (with high development relevance and a clear transfer concept for implementing results in the home region) at a public or state recognised university or non university research institution in Germany, in coordination with the host academic supervisor. These stays may also include preparatory and cooperation elements as needed.

Travel for attending conferences or giving presentations is not funded in either programme line.

Duration of the funding

Programme Line 1:
Preparatory and cooperation visits: 1 to 2 months
Programme Line 2:
Research stays: 2 to 6 months

The funding period in both programme lines cannot be split into multiple segments. Stays conducted in different countries outside Germany are not eligible for funding. Please indicate your desired funding period in the application form. The funding period will be determined by the selection committee during the selection process, taking your work schedule into account.
The period of funding must begin in 2026 (in July/August – depends on the programme region) and be completed by 31 January 2027. Funding or extension beyond 31 January 2027 is not possible.
Scholarships cannot be extended.

Value

monthly scholarship payments of 1.400 euros for doctoral candidates and postdocs, 2.000 euros for assistant professors and lecturers, and 2.150 euros for full professors
(* Definition of postdoctoral researchers: the PhD must have been completed no more than four years before the application deadline)
payments towards health, accident and personal liability insurance cover
travel allowance

Under certain circumstances, you can apply for the following additional benefits after start of funding:

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 (see important information for DAAD scholarship applicants, section F, point 8)

Benefits from third parties are partially credited towards the DAAD scholarship. Information on this can be found in the important scholarship information in section F, point 6.

Selection

An independent selection committee consisting of specialist scientists reviews the applications.

Selection Criteria – Programme Line 1: Preparatory and Cooperation Visits
Academic Qualification

specific academic achievements relevant to the project, to be demonstrated in the CV

Quality and Development Relevance of the Proposal

quality of the proposal and development relevance (To what extent does the project have a clear link to development challenges in the region of origin and to one or more of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)?)
plausibility of the choice of host institutions in Germany
extent of academic coordination and prior contact
consistency, feasibility and appropriateness of the work and time plan

Potential and Sustainability

potential to effectively integrate results into the academic and institutional context of the home country
contribution to establishing or deepening scientific networks and partnerships between the home region and Germany, and likelihood of continuation beyond the funding period
contribution to capacity building and sustainable knowledge transfer in the home region, with expected multiplier effects

Selection Criteria – Programme Line 2: Research Stays

Academic Qualification:

for doctoral candidates and postdocs: academic grades (Master’s and PhD)
scientific achievements (e.g. publications, presentations)

Quality of the research proposal:

quality, originality, currency and development relevance of the research proposal, including the choice of host institution and prior contact
clear, realistic transfer concept outlining concrete measures for implementing results in the home region
feasibility and consistency of the work and time plan
for doctoral students: integration of the research project into the overall doctoral project (in terms of content/time)

Potential of the applicant:

career prospects: significance of the research and stay in Germany for academic and professional development
motivation: academic and personal reasons for the stay, and relevance of the project for institutional capacity building in the home country
extracurricular engagement: additional skills and societal commitment