Hilde Domin Programme Scholarship 2026 , Germany (Fully Funded)

The Hilde Domin Programme, funded by the German Federal Foreign Office and administered by the DAAD, is a prestigious fully funded scholarship designed for at-risk students and doctoral candidates worldwide. This scholarship provides academic refuge in Germany for individuals who face political, civic, or human-rights-related threats in their home countries.

With comprehensive financial support, the programme enables scholars to pursue a master’s degree or PhD in a safe and secure academic environment at any recognized German university.

The Hilde Domin Programme provides extensive financial coverage, including:

Monthly Stipend

• €992 per month for Master’s students
• €1,300 per month for Doctoral candidates

Additional Benefits

• Health, accident, and personal liability insurance coverage
• Travel allowance (based on home country)
• German language course (2–6 months), if needed
• Funding for the full duration of the degree programme
• Participation in interdisciplinary training programmes
• Academic and personal support throughout the stay in Germany

The Hilde Domin Programme supports:

• Master’s Degree (up to 24 months)
• Doctoral Degree / PhD (up to 48 months)

Note: The programme does not support undergraduate studies.

Students from all academic disciplines may be nominated except:

• Human Medicine
• Dentistry
• Veterinary Medicine
• Pharmacy
• Law
• Special rules apply for:
• Visual Arts
• Performing Arts
• Design
• Visual Communication
• Music
• Film
• Architecture

(These require university confirmation of academic ability and willingness to enroll.)

The programme is open to all nationalities worldwide, except:

• EU/EEA/EFTA countries
• Andorra
• Monaco
• San Marino
• United Kingdom

To be nominated, applicants must:

1. Be at personal risk

Candidates must prove or credibly demonstrate that they face:

• Physical danger
• Arrest or persecution
• Denial of civil rights
• Denial of educational rights
• Threats due to ethnic, religious, gender, sexual, or political identity, or civic engagement

2. Hold valid academic qualifications

• Must possess certificates allowing admission to higher education (verified through the anabin database).

3. Be outside Germany/EU

• Candidates must not already reside in Germany or the European Union at the time of nomination.

4. Meet language requirements

• German or English language proficiency at B2 level by the nomination deadline.

5. Meet academic discipline requirements

• Must belong to a permitted field of study (see above).
• Application Process (Important: You Cannot Apply Yourself)
• Unlike most scholarships, the Hilde Domin Programme does not allow direct applications.

Unlike most scholarships, the Hilde Domin Programme does not allow direct applications.

Step-by-Step Application Route

1. Nomination by an eligible institution (mandatory)

The candidate must be nominated by:

• A German university
• A German research institute
• A German-based human rights, democracy, or peace-promotion organization

Multiple nominations do not increase chances - one is enough.

2. DAAD Plausibility Check

• DAAD reviews the nomination and verifies the candidate's risk situation.

3. Invitation to Apply

If the nomination is accepted, DAAD invites the candidate to submit:

• Online application
• Academic documents
• CV
• Motivation letter
• Language certificates
• Risk-description form

4. Final Evaluation

An independent DAAD selection committee assesses:

• Risk level
• Academic potential
• Motivation and suitability

Successful applicants receive the scholarship and proceed with visa and university enrollment.

Nomination & Application Deadlines

For Summer Semester 2027 Start

• Nomination Deadline: 15 March 2026
• Application Period (after DAAD invitation): 17 March – 15 April 2026

Nomination is possible at any time, but only fully submitted nominations before the deadline are considered.