DAAD Germany Development-Related Postgraduate Courses Scholarship

The DAAD Development-Related Postgraduate Courses (EPOS) scholarship is a development-oriented postgraduate study programme. DAAD states that it promotes the training of specialists from development and newly industrialised countries. The programme provides foreign graduates from these countries with the chance to take a postgraduate or Master’s degree at a state or state-recognised German university and obtain a university qualification (Master’s/PhD) in Germany.

DAAD states that the scholarship is for graduates from eligible countries with at least two years of professional experience. It funds individual scholarships exclusively for postgraduate courses in Germany that are listed on the “List of all Postgraduate courses with application deadlines/.” DAAD notes that an exceptional case allows study leading to a doctoral degree.

Selection is based on candidates fulfilling necessary academic requirements and being expected to successfully complete a study programme in Germany, including “above-average result for first academic exam – top performance third,” and language skills. DAAD also states candidates need a Bachelor degree in an appropriate subject, at least two years of professional experience, and proof that motivation is development-related with an expectation to take on social responsibility and initiate and support processes of change after the training/scholarship.

DAAD states that funding lasts 12 to 42 months depending on the study programme. DAAD lists payment components including monthly payments and payments towards health, accident and personal liability insurance, plus travel allowance unless covered by the home country or another source of funding. Under certain circumstances, additional benefits may include a monthly rent subsidy and a monthly allowance for accompanying family members. DAAD requires submission of re-employment guarantees in certain cases (employment certificate details).

• Applicant has at least two years of professional experience.
• Applicant is a graduate from development and newly industrialised countries from the eligible countries list.
• Typical scholarship holder works for a public authority or a state or private company in a developing country and is engaged in planning and execution of directives and projects emphasizing development policies in technological, economic or social areas.
• Applicant holds a Bachelor’s degree (normally four years) in a related subject.
• Applicant has completed an academic degree with “far above average results (upper third).”
• Applicant has at least two years of related professional experience after the first degree (bachelor) at the time of application.
• Applicant’s academic degrees should normally not be more than six years old.
• Applicant who has been resident in Germany for longer than 15 months at the application deadline cannot be considered.
• Language skills for study courses in German: scholarship includes a preparatory 6-month German language course in Germany; applicant must successfully pass the language examination DSH 2 or TestDaF 4 before the start of the study course; minimum German language level B1 at time of application is required and needs to be proven by a current certificate; passing the required German language courses without prior basic knowledge in German (at least B1) is not possible; passing the language test is a formal prerequisite for matriculation at the respective German university.
• Language skills for courses in English: proof of adequate language skills is required according to the regulations of the respective course.
• Applicants must submit the complete application in English or German to be considered.
• Incomplete applications cannot be considered.
• Applicant may apply for up to three courses.
• If applying to more than one course, applicant must list courses in order of priority in the DAAD application forms and must not change priorities in the corresponding application form.

• Monthly payments of 992 euros for graduates, or 1,300 euros (1,400 euros beginning with February 2026) for doctoral candidates.
• Payments towards health, accident and personal liability insurance cover.
• 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. Check the chosen study programme’s requirements and application procedure (including online application, application deadline, and documents to be submitted) via the programme’s website.
2. Send the complete application(s) directly to the respective postgraduate course (applications sent to DAAD will not be forwarded to the respective course/university).
3. You may apply for up to three courses; if applying to more than one course, list courses in order of priority in the DAAD application forms and do not change the priorities in the according application form.
4. Submit the required application documents in the required order.
5. A selection committee suggests potential candidates for a DAAD scholarship.
6. If suggested, DAAD contacts you to upload your complete application to the DAAD Portal.
7. The selection process is finalized, and suggested candidates are informed accordingly.

• 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 the choice of courses and prioritisation in the letter of motivation, with a uniform letter of motivation submitted to all chosen postgraduate degree programmes.
• Letter of recommendation from current employer, including official letterhead, signature and official stamp, current date, and not in a sealed envelope.
• Certificate(s) of Employment from employer(s) 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 current employer upon returning home; certificate from current employer 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; documents must be clearly legible.
• Copy of full set of transcript of records, with explanation of the grading system if it is not part of the transcript.
• If from People’s Republic of China: APS Certificate.
• Some courses may require additional documents (see the relevant course description in the brochure and on the respective websites).
• Complete applications have to be submitted in English or German.