Call for Applications for the 2026/27 Hilde Domin Programme: Fully funded DAAD scholarship programme for study in Germany
Closing Date: 15 April 2026
Call for Applications for the 2026/27 Hilde Domin Programme: Fully funded DAAD scholarship programme for study in Germany
Overview
The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) administers the scholarship programme “Hilde Domin Programme” with funds from the Federal Foreign Office (AA). The DAAD scholarship programme serves to support students and doctoral candidates from across the globe, who are at risk of being formally or de facto denied educational or other rights in their country of origin, and to provide these students and doctoral candidates with an opportunity to begin or complete a study or research degree at a higher education institution in Germany.
Students and doctoral candidates funded under the programme will receive a scholarship for a degree course of personal choice and according to individual qualifications. The scholarship is sufficient to cover the necessary costs incurred during their study or research stay.
The long-term goal of the DAAD scholarship programme is to enable students and doctoral candidates to complete their higher education studies / respective research project in a secure environment, to be able to contribute towards meaningful political, economic as well as social development in their countries of origin (respectively in Germany or third countries) upon completion of their studies in Germany. The beneficiaries of the scholarship programme will further be qualified through participation in interdisciplinary trainings.
The nomination and selection procedure
Potential candidates cannot themselves apply for participation in the Hilde Domin Programme but are nominated by the management (presidiums/rectorates) of an institution or organisation which is a legal entity domiciled in Germany and which carries out an activity in the field of science, research and teaching and/or the protection of human rights, the promotion of peace and democracy or the rule of law.
All nominations shall formally be made by respective nominating institutions and organisations who are requested to fill in the nomination form online. As part of the nomination, a questionnaire on the nominee’s risk situation must be submitted. Nominating institutions will receive the link to the nomination form as well as the “Risk description form” upon request.
Thereafter, on the basis of an initial plausibility check, suitable candidates will be contacted by the DAAD and invited to apply via the DAAD online application portal. The application documents submitted by the candidates are then verified by the DAAD for completeness and formal correctness. The final selection of candidates will be carried out by an independent selection committee appointed by the DAAD. Both the status of risk and academic performance are assessed as part of the selection process.
Important to note: Multiple nominations do not bear any advantages. One nomination per candidate is sufficient. Institutions and organisations entitled to nominate may nominate as many candidates as they deem eligible. Nominations submitted through other channels (e.g. via email, post or fax) cannot be considered or accepted.
Also important: The DAAD can only award a limited number of scholarships. Please only nominate candidates for this programme who, in addition to being individually at risk, also demonstrate good academic prospects for studying in Germany. Proposed candidates should have sufficient knowledge of German or English (corresponding to level B2) by the nomination deadline to be able to complete a study degree programme/research project in the respective language.
Target Group
Students, aiming for a master’s degree, and doctoral candidates worldwide* who are at risk of being formally or de facto denied educational rights and/or other rights in their country of origin, due to their ethnic, sexual, gender or religious identity and/or their political or civic engagement. By definition of the scholarship programme, political, civic and similar engagement encompasses either the participation in groups or individual actions based on liberal and democratic principles aspiring to contribute to a positive social change in communities.
Nomination Requirements
Students, aiming for a master’s degree, and doctoral candidates from all academic disciplines can be nominated, apart from human medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine, pharmacy, and law
- who can prove or credibly demonstrate a threat to their personal well-being or safety (e.g. physical violence, arrest, denial of civil and educational rights, etc.) to the nominating institution
- who are in possession of educational certificates that enable entrance to a higher education institution and warrant the pursuit of a desired higher education qualification according to the anabin database
- who may not be already residing in Germany or the European Union at the time of nomination
Important to note: Nominations for the fields of visual arts, performing arts, design, visual communication, music, film, and architecture can be submitted only by accredited higher education institutions and require a letter by that institution confirming the academic ability of the candidate in the foreseen discipline and that the institution is willing to enrol the candidates in case of the award of a scholarship.
Funding Period
As a rule, the duration of funding for a
- master’s degree is: up to 24 months
- doctoral degree is: up to 48 months
What is covered
Funding of a scholarship encompasses
- a monthly scholarship payment of currently 992 EUR for master students or 1,300 EUR for doctoral candidates
- a health, accident and personal liability insurance cover
- a travel allowance based on your country of origin resp. present residence
- if applicable, participation in a preparatory German language course (of two, four or six months) according to the previously acquired and required language skills for the intended course of study or doctoral project
- additional financial benefits
Timeline
Nominations of suitable candidates by the nominating institutions and organisations can be submitted online at any time.
The following time periods and deadlines apply for nominations and applications:
Planned start of studies in summer semester 2027
- Nominations: until 15th March 2026
- Application period: 17th March until 15th April 2026
Click Here To Apply
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