DAAD Doctoral Scholarships 2027 in Germany | Fully Funded

Overview

The DAAD Doctoral Scholarships 2027 in Germany provide international graduates and doctoral researchers with the opportunity to pursue a doctoral degree at a state-recognized German university or research institution. Funded by the German Federal Foreign Office and administered by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), the programme supports international academic exchange and cooperation. Applicants can choose between completing a full PhD programme in Germany or undertaking a bi-nationally supervised cotutelle doctorate.

Benefits

• Monthly stipend of €1,400 for doctoral candidates.
• Comprehensive health, accident, and personal liability insurance coverage.
• Travel allowances, including up to three outward and return journeys for bi-national or cotutelle tracks.
• Annual research allowance of €460.
• Support for academic supervisors’ travel and accommodation under the cotutelle model.
• Potential monthly rent subsidies and family allowances for accompanying dependents.
• Disability and chronic illness support, alongside German language course funding options.

Eligibility

Candidates must meet the following criteria to qualify for the scholarship:

• Hold above-average academic qualifications, typically possessing a Master’s degree, German Diplom, or exceptionally a Bachelor’s degree by the funding start.
• For cotutelle applicants, official admission to a doctoral programme by the funding start is required.
• The most recent university degree must generally have been completed within six years of the application deadline.
• Applicants who have already started their doctorate must have commenced it no more than three years prior to the application deadline.
• Candidates must not have resided in Germany for more than 15 months at the time of the application deadline.
• Language proficiency rules require good knowledge of German for arts, social sciences, and law, while English is accepted for natural sciences and engineering where applicable, verified by a supervisor's written confirmation.

How to Apply

1. Determine whether a full doctoral programme or a bi-national/cotutelle route aligns with your research plans.
2. Identify a suitable host German university, research institute, or academic supervisor and discuss your research proposal and timetable.
3. Register through the official DAAD application portal and complete the online application form.
4. Generate and send the official recommendation form to a university teacher for completion.
5. Prepare, translate (if necessary into German or English), and upload all required PDF attachments, including your CV, motivation letter, research proposal, and transcripts.
6. Review and submit the application online, generate the application summary, and mail a printed copy by post if required by your regional DAAD office.

Deadline

The standard application deadline is 21 October 2026, though specific regional dates may vary (for example, applicants from Pakistan must apply by 31 August 2026).