DAAD-EPOS Germany Scholarships

DAAD-EPOS Germany Scholarships (Development-Related Postgraduate Courses (EPOS)) are offered by the DAAD (Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst). DAAD states that the purpose is to promote development-oriented postgraduate study programmes that train specialists from development and newly industrialised countries for sustainable development, including education and health.

DAAD-EPOS Germany Scholarships are aimed at graduates from eligible countries who have at least two years of professional experience. DAAD states that the programme provides individual scholarships for postgraduate courses in Germany that are listed on the List of all Postgraduate courses with application deadlines/.

DAAD states that candidates must meet academic and application requirements and are expected to successfully complete a study programme in Germany, including language skills. Selection involves a selection committee suggesting potential candidates for a DAAD scholarship; suggested candidates are contacted by DAAD to upload a complete application to the DAAD Portal, and the selection process is then finalized with notification to suggested candidates.

DAAD states that funding lasts 12 to 42 months depending on the study programme. DAAD also states that monthly payments differ by academic level: 992 euros for graduates or 1,300 euros (1,400 euros beginning with February for doctoral candidates. DAAD states that scholarship holders receive payments towards health, accident and personal liability insurance and may receive a travel allowance unless covered by the home country or another source of funding, and under certain circumstances may receive monthly rent subsidy and a monthly allowance for accompanying family members.

• Graduates must have at least two years of professional experience.Applicants must be graduates from the countries listed by DAAD under “Who can apply?” (“list of eligible countries”).Applicants must apply for individual scholarships exclusively for postgraduate courses in Germany that are listed on the List of all Postgraduate courses with application deadlines 2027/2028.Applicants must hold a Bachelor’s degree (normally four years) in an appropriate/related subject.Applicants must have completed an academic degree with far above average results (upper third).Applicants must have at least two years of related professional experience after the first degree (bachelor) at the time of application.Applicants’ 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.Applicants must have a development-related motivation and be expected to take on social responsibility and initiate and support processes of change in their personal and professional environment after training/scholarship.Typical scholarship holders work either for a public authority or a state or private company in a developing country and are engaged in planning and execution of directives and projects with emphasis on development policies related to technological, economic or social areas.Language for German-taught courses: scholarship includes a preparatory 6-month German language course in Germany; applicants must successfully pass DSH 2 or TestDaF 4 before the start of the study course; DAAD requires a minimum German language level of B1 at the time of application with a current certificate; required DSH/TestDaF tests require at least B1 prior knowledge.Language for English-taught courses: applicants must provide proof of adequate language skills according to the regulations of the respective course.Applications must be submitted in English or German to be considered.Incomplete applications cannot be considered.Applicants can apply for up to three courses.Applicants applying to more than one course must list courses in order of priority in the DAAD application forms and must not change priorities in the corresponding application form.Applicants applying for more than one postgraduate course (maximum 3 courses) must submit a uniform letter of motivation explaining reasons for applying for the specific courses and the chosen priority; if this information is ignored, the application cannot be considered or an already awarded scholarship might be withdrawn.Applicants for courses taught in German must meet the language test prerequisites described for DSH 2/TestDaF 4.

• Monthly payment: 992 euros for graduates.Monthly payment: 1,300 euros for doctoral candidates (1,400 euros beginning with February 2026).Payments towards health, accident and personal liability insurance.Travel allowance, unless these expenses are covered by the home country or another source of funding.Under certain circumstances: monthly rent subsidy.Under certain circumstances: monthly allowance for accompanying members of family.

1. Send your complete application(s) directly to the respective postgraduate course.
2. A selection committee suggests potential candidates for a DAAD scholarship.
3. If suggested, DAAD contacts you to upload your complete application to the DAAD Portal.
4. The selection process is finalized and suggested candidates are informed accordingly.
5. Prepare PDF copies of each document of your application because those documents have to be uploaded to the DAAD Portal if you are suggested for a DAAD scholarship.

• Completed and signed checklist.EPOS application form (typed answers or easy to read).Curriculum vitae in reverse chronological order without any unexplained gaps (using the europass template, including exact information about studies and practical experience).One Letter of Motivation with detailed reference to academic, professional and personal reasons for applying.If applying for more than one postgraduate course (maximum 3 courses): detailed reasons for course choice and prioritisation in the letter of motivation, and a uniform letter of motivation submitted to all chosen postgraduate degree programmes.Letter of recommendation from your current employer, including official letterhead, signature and official stamp, dated currently (not in a sealed envelope).Certificate(s) of Employment showing at least two years of relevant work experience after the Bachelor's degree up to the time of application; and if possible, a guarantee of re-employment from your current employer upon returning home (current employer certificate should, if possible, include a guarantee of re-employment after returning to the home country).Recent proof of Language Skills: English—IELTS or TOEFL (institutional TOEFL not accepted); German—required for courses taught in German.Copies of higher education degree certificates (with certified translation if the original is not in German or English; ensure clearly legible).Copy of full set of transcript of records, including an explanation of the grading system if it is not part of the transcript.Applicants from the People’s Republic of China: an APS Certificate with the application documents.Some courses may require additional documents (check the relevant course description in the brochure and on the respective websites).