Research Grants – Doctoral Programmes in Germany • DAAD.
Who can apply?
Applicants with outstanding academic records, who have completed their Master’s or Diplom degree (or, in exceptional cases, a Bachelor’s degree) by the start of the funding period, are invited to apply
Funding Opportunities
This program supports doctoral research in Germany at:
- State-recognized universities
- Non-university research institutes
Funding options include:
- Individual projects under university supervision
- Structured doctoral study programs
Additionally, research stays abroad (up to 25% of the funding period) can be funded if essential for completing your PhD. You must outline these plans in your application documents, including a detailed study plan and timeline.
Duration of Funding
- Funding is available for up to four years. The duration is determined by a selection committee based on the nature of your project and study plan.
- Grants are initially granted for up to one year, with possible extensions contingent upon the selection committee’s evaluation of your performance during the initial award period.
Value
- Monthly stipend of 1,300 euros
- Coverage for health, accident, and personal liability insurance (refer to section F, point 4 of the important information for scholarship applicants)
- Travel allowance
- Annual research allowance of 460 euros.
Additional Benefits
- After funding begins, you may apply for the following additional benefits under certain conditions:
- Monthly rent subsidy (refer to important scholarship information, section F, point 9).
- Monthly allowance for accompanying family members (see important information for scholarship applicants, section F, point 3).
- For individuals with a disability or chronic illness: A subsidy may be available to cover justified additional costs incurred in Germany due to the disability, which are necessary for the project and not covered by a third party. The decision on whether and to what extent the subsidy will be provided is made on a case-by-case basis (refer to section F, point 8 of the important information for scholarship applicants).
Language Support
- To help you enhance your language skills before your stay in Germany, the DAAD offers the following services:
- Coverage of course fees for an online language course upon receipt of the Scholarship Award Letter.
- If needed, a language course (lasting 2, 4, or 6 months) before the start of your research stay in Germany. The DAAD will determine the necessity and duration of this course based on your language skills and project requirements. Participation is mandatory if the course is funded and the working language at the host institute is German.
- Allowance for a self-selected German language course during the grant period.
- Reimbursement of fees for the TestDaF or DSH test, which can be taken either in your home country after receiving the Scholarship Award Letter or in Germany during your funding period.
Selection Process
An independent committee of expert scientists evaluates the applications.
The selection criteria include:
- Qualification
- Academic performance (GPA, grade progression)
- Academic development
- Proficiency in the language(s) of instruction or working language(s)
- If applicable, scholarly achievements post-graduation (e.g., publications, lectures, conference presentations)
- Quality of Research Project
- Quality and preparation of the research proposal (originality, relevance, and importance of the project; selection of host institution and initial contacts)
- Feasibility and coherence of the study plan and timeline
- Integration of the project within the broader doctoral program (in terms of content and timing), if applicable
- Applicant’s Potential
- Career prospects: the significance of the research project and stay in Germany for the applicant’s academic, professional, and personal development
- Motivation: academic and personal reasons for wanting to study in Germany, including German language proficiency (if different from the working language)
- Extracurricular activities: relevant non-academic knowledge, skills, and civic engagement
The selection committee also considers equal opportunities, and applicants may provide relevant information in their application form.
Eligibility Requirements Please ensure that the following criteria are met:
- Generally, applicants should have graduated no more than six years before the application deadline.
- If you have already begun your doctoral studies, they should have started no more than three years prior to the application deadline. For more details, refer to Important Scholarship Information, Section A, point 2.
- Your application will not be considered if you have resided in Germany for more than 15 months by the application deadline.
Note:
For applicants in human medicine, veterinary medicine, and dentistry, different regulations apply. Please consult www.daad.de/extrainfo.
- A Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science degree with at least a 2nd class upper division, and a Master of Arts/Master of Science degree are required;
or - A Licence or Maîtrise degree with a “assez bien” (good) grade, and a DEA/DESS degree or a Master’s degree corresponding to the LMD system are required.
Language Proficiency
- Good German language skills are usually required, especially for students in arts subjects, for study and research projects in Germany. Exceptions may be made if the project is conducted in English.
- A prior language course of 4 to 6 months is typically included in the scholarship.
Application Deadline
- Application deadlines are updated annually in the second quarter and usually fall around the same time as the previous year. Current deadlines can be found here:15.10.2024
Selection likely in January/February, with the scholarship starting in October (the preparatory language course typically beginning in June).
Application Documents Certificates, proof of credits, certifications, and translations can be scanned in non-certified form and uploaded to the DAAD portal. The DAAD reserves the right to request certified copies of these documents.
Documents to upload to the DAAD portal:
- Online application form
- Full curriculum vitae in tabular form (max. 3 pages)
- List of publications (max. 10 pages), if applicable
- A letter of motivation (1-2 pages) explaining the academic and personal reasons for your planned project in Germany. Please address the following question: What do you hope to gain from your project in Germany (personally, professionally, and for your career)? Upload the letter under ‘study project/motivation’ in the DAAD portal.
- A proposal, prepared and written by you, along with a description of previous research work (max. 10 pages in total). The proposal should be a detailed description of the research project, discussed with your academic adviser. Refer to Important Scholarship Information, Section B, point 2, and upload the proposal under ‘research project’ in the DAAD portal.
For Individual Projects Supervised by a University Teacher (Academic Adviser)
- Research Schedule: A schedule for the planned research work, which must be agreed upon with your academic supervisor.
- Supervision Confirmation: A letter confirming supervision by your doctoral supervisor. Refer to Important Scholarship Information, Section C, point 3. Upload the confirmation from your academic host under ‘acceptance of host institution’ in the DAAD portal.
For Planned Participation in a Structured Doctoral Study Programme
- Module Plan: Upload the module plan in the DAAD portal under ‘schedule.’
- Proof of Contacts: Provide proof of existing contacts with the coordinator of the doctoral programme. Upload this under ‘acceptance of host institution’ in the DAAD portal.
- Admission Letter: A letter of admission to the study programme; if unavailable at the time of application, it can be submitted later.
Additional Requirements
- University Degree Certificate: A certificate indicating your final grade(s). If not available at the time of application, it must be submitted before the grant-supported research begins.
- Letter of Recommendation: A recent letter of recommendation from a university teacher that provides information about your qualifications. Follow the instructions on the ‘Submitting an application’ tab.
- Supporting Documents: Any other documents that support your application, such as certificates of employment, proof of practical training/internships, and evidence of voluntary work.
- Proof of Doctoral Programme Admission: Proof of admission to a doctoral programme at your home university, if you plan to pursue a doctoral degree there.
- University Certificates: All university certificates for annual examinations with individual grades, including an explanation of the grading system.
- Translations: German or English translations of documents submitted in your national language. Upload these translations along with the corresponding documents.
Application Process The application procedure is conducted online through the DAAD portal. Note that access to the application portal is only available during the current application period. After the deadline, the portal will not be accessible until the next application period.
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Submit all required documents through the DAAD portal by the deadline.
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Postal submissions: send documents promptly, using the postmark date as proof of timely dispatch.
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Avoid last-minute submissions to account for potential technical issues.
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Ensure completeness, as incomplete applications won’t be considered.
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Note:
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Application documents become DAAD property.
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Personal data is stored and processed in compliance with German and EU data protection regulations, solely for application processing purposes.
DAAD scholarship programmes for international students and researchers.
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