Blog › DAAD Scholarships: What to Know Before You Apply in Germany
Scholarship DeadlinesAugust 4, 2026 · 5 min read
The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) is the world's largest scholarship organization — but unlike a single scholarship with one deadline, DAAD actually runs many separate programmes, each with its own eligibility rules and timeline. Here's how to approach it without getting lost.
Rather than applying to "DAAD" directly, you search the DAAD Scholarship Database (funding-guide.de) to find the specific programme that matches your field, degree level, and country. Requirements and stipends vary by programme, so read each individual call for applications carefully.
Most DAAD calls open around August-September, with deadlines falling between October and December for programmes starting the following autumn. Because this varies by specific programme, treat any single date you see online as indicative, not final, and always confirm on the official page for the programme you're applying to.
Most DAAD-funded places come with a monthly stipend (roughly €934 for Master's students, €1,300 for PhD candidates), a health insurance subsidy, a travel allowance, and in many programmes a contribution toward tuition.
You'll typically need a CV, a letter of motivation, transcripts, language certificates (German or English depending on the programme), and academic references. Some in-country or regional programmes also require nomination by a partner institution — check this early, since it can add months to your timeline.
Register on the DAAD-Portal (meindaad.de) as soon as you've identified a matching programme, and build your document list around that specific programme's stated requirements rather than a generic scholarship checklist.
See our full DAAD Scholarships guide for the complete eligibility and application steps.