DAAD Doctoral Scholarships 2027 in Germany: €1,400 Monthly Funding for Full PhD and Bi-National Cotutelle Programmes
International graduates and doctoral researchers can apply for DAAD doctoral funding programmes in Germany offering monthly grants of €1,400, insurance, and research support. The available tracks include full doctoral programmes and bi-nationally supervised cotutelle degrees.
Overview
The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) provides two distinct doctoral funding tracks designed to support international researchers pursuing advanced academic qualifications. The options include full doctoral programmes completed primarily at a German institution and bi-nationally supervised or cotutelle degrees where candidates retain enrolment at their home university while conducting research in Germany.
Both funding pathways offer a monthly stipend of €1,400, insurance support, research allowances, travel assistance, and potential family or language support.
Benefits
- Monthly scholarship payment of €1,400 during funding periods in Germany.
- Health, accident, and personal liability insurance support.
- Travel allowances for journeys between the home country and Germany.
- Annual research allowances of €460.
- Possible additional support including rent subsidies, family allowances, and disability assistance.
- Language course allowances or preparatory German courses when required.
Eligibility
- Applicants must hold above-average academic qualifications, typically a Master's degree, Diplom, or equivalent qualification.
- Most recent university degree should generally have been completed no more than six years before the application deadline.
- Existing doctoral candidates should normally not have begun their doctorate more than three years prior to the deadline.
- Applicants must not have been resident in Germany for more than 15 months by the application deadline.
- Language proficiency must match the requirements of the proposed research project and host institution.
How to Apply
Candidates must identify a suitable German host institution or supervisor, prepare a detailed research proposal, and register through the official DAAD portal to submit required documents in PDF format. Required materials generally include a curriculum vitae, motivation letter, research proposal, transcripts, degree certificates, and an academic letter of recommendation.
Because DAAD deadlines and submission instructions vary by country of residence, applicants must select their correct country and status in the scholarship database before applying.
Deadline
For the regional configuration associated with the primary application links, applications close on 21 October 2026. Applicants should verify their specific country schedule directly via the DAAD database.