Germany DAAD scholarships for PhD students 

The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) offers a range of scholarships tailored for international PhD students aiming to pursue their doctoral studies in Germany. These scholarships provide financial assistance and open doors to Germany’s vibrant research community. This article delves into the various DAAD scholarships available for PhD candidates, detailing the application processes and providing relevant URLs for each.

1. Research Grants – Doctoral Programmes in Germany

This scholarship supports international doctoral candidates who wish to undertake a full PhD in Germany. It is open to applicants from almost all countries and covers a wide array of disciplines.

Eligibility Criteria:

• Applicants should have completed their Master’s degree no more than six years before the application deadline.
• If already enrolled in a doctoral program, the start of the doctorate should not be more than three years ago.
• Applicants should not have resided in Germany for more than 15 months at the application deadline.

Benefits:

• Monthly stipend of €1,300.
• Travel allowance.
• Health, accident, and personal liability insurance.
• Research allowance.
• If applicable, family benefits.

Application Process:

1. Registration: Begin by registering on the DAAD portal.
2. Documentation: Prepare the following documents:
   • Online application form.
   • Curriculum vitae (max. 3 pages).
   • List of publications, if any (max. 10 pages).
   • Motivation letter (1-2 pages) detailing academic and personal reasons for the planned project in Germany.
   • Research proposal (max. 10 pages) prepared in consultation with an academic adviser.
   • Schedule for planned research work.
   • Letter confirming supervision by a doctoral supervisor or proof of contact with the coordinator of a structured doctoral program.
   • University degree certificates indicating final grades.
   • Recent letter of recommendation from a university teacher.
   • Proof of language proficiency (e.g., TOEFL iBT min. 79, IELTS min. 6.5).
3. Submission: Upload all required documents to the DAAD portal before the application deadline.

Application Deadlines:

• Deadlines are updated annually. For the most current dates, refer to the official DAAD scholarship database.

Application URL:

• Detailed information and application portal: www2.daad.de

ALSO READ: Top Scholarships for PhD Programs in Europe

2. Research Grants – Bi-nationally Supervised Doctoral Degrees

This program is designed for doctoral candidates who plan to conduct research in Germany as part of a bi-national doctoral program. The grant supports stays in Germany for research phases that are part of a doctoral program in the home country.

Eligibility Criteria:

• Applicants must be enrolled in a doctoral program in their home country.
• The research project must be coordinated with both the home and German supervisors.

Benefits:

• Monthly stipend of €1,300.
• Travel allowance.
• Health, accident, and personal liability insurance.
• Research allowance.
• If applicable, family benefits.

Application Process:

1. Registration: Register on the DAAD portal.
2. Documentation: Prepare the following documents:
   • Online application form.
   • Curriculum vitae (max. 3 pages).
   • List of publications, if any (max. 10 pages).
   • Motivation letter (1-2 pages) detailing academic and personal reasons for the planned project in Germany.
   • Research proposal (max. 10 pages) prepared in consultation with both home and German supervisors.
   • Schedule for planned research work.
   • Letters confirming supervision from both home and German supervisors.
   • University degree certificates indicating final grades.
   • Recent letter of recommendation from a university teacher.
   • Proof of language proficiency (e.g., TOEFL iBT min. 79, IELTS min. 6.5).
3. Submission: Upload all required documents to the DAAD portal before the application deadline.

Application Deadlines:

• Deadlines are updated annually. For the most current dates, refer to the official DAAD scholarship database.

Application URL:

• Detailed information and application portal: www2.daad.de

ALSO READ: Postgraduate Scholarships for Nigerian Students in Germany 2025

3. DAAD Scholarship Database

For a comprehensive overview of all DAAD scholarships available for PhD students, the DAAD scholarship database is an invaluable resource. It allows prospective applicants to search for scholarships based on their country of origin, field of study, and other relevant criteria.

How to Use the Database:

1. Access the Database: Visit the DAAD scholarship database.
2. Set Filters: Input your country of origin, desired field of study, and other relevant criteria to narrow down the list of available scholarships.
3. Review Results: Browse through the list of scholarships that match your criteria.

ALSO READ: Fully Funded Scholarships for HND Graduates in Engineering