Call for Applications: DAAD Scholarships for Development-Related Postgraduate Courses 2025 in Germany

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Closing Date: Varying

Call for Applications: DAAD Scholarships for Development-Related Postgraduate Courses 2025 in Germany

With its development-oriented postgraduate study programmes, the DAAD promotes the training of specialists from development and newly industrialised countries for Development-Related Postgraduate Courses. Well-trained local experts, who are networked with international partners, play an important part in the sustainable development of their countries. They are the best guarantee for a better future with less poverty, more education and health for all.

The DAAD scholarships offer foreign graduates from development and newly industrialised countries from all disciplines and with at least two years’ professional experience the chance to take a postgraduate or Master’s degree at a state or state-recognised German university, and in exceptional cases to take a doctoral degree, and to obtain a university qualification (Master’s/PhD) in Germany.

Who can apply for DAAD scholarships?

Graduates with at least two years’ professional experience from the following countries: list of eligible countries

What can be funded?

Individual scholarships exclusively for Development-Related Postgraduate Courses in Germany

Duration of the funding

12 to 42 months (dependent on study programme)

Value

Depending on academic level, monthly payments of 934 euros for graduates or 1,300 euros for doctoral candidates
Payments towards health, accident and personal liability insurance cover
Travel allowance, unless these expenses are covered by the home country or another source of funding

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

Monthly rent subsidy
Monthly allowance for accompanying members of family

Selection

Candidates fulfil the necessary academic requirements and can be expected to successfully complete a study programme in Germany (above-average result for first academic exam – top performance third, language skills)
Candidates have a Bachelor degree (usually a four-year course) in an appropriate subject
Candidates have at least two years’ professional experience

Candidates can prove their motivation is development-related and be expected to take on social responsibility and initiate and support processes of change in their personal and professional environment after their training/scholarship

What requirements must be met?

The Typical Scholarship Holder

works either for a public authority or a state or private company in a developing country and, as such, is engaged in the planning and execution of directives and projects with emphasis on development policies having a bearing on technological, economic or social areas.

holds a Bachelor’s degree (normally four years) in a related subject.
has completed an academic degree with far above average results (upper third) and at least two years of related professional experience after the first degree (bachelor) at the time of application.
His/her academic degrees should normally not be more than six years old.

Applicants who have been resident in Germany for longer than 15 months at the application deadline cannot be considered

Language skills

For study courses in German (scholarship includes a preparatory 6-month German language course in Germany): Successful passing of the language examination DSH 2 or TestDaF 4 before the start of the study course. Therefore, a minimum German language level of B1 at the time of application is a requirement, that needs to be proofed by providing a current certificate.
Note: It is not possible to pass the required German language courses (DSH or TestDaF) without any previous basic knowledge in the German language (at least B1 Level), even with the preceding six-month intensive course in Germany. Passing the language test is a formal prerequisite for matriculation at the respective German university.
For courses in English: Proof of adequate language skills, according to the regulations of the respective course. For detailed information see the relevant course description on the following pages.