Are you an international student or a researcher looking for some of the most prestigious grants to support your research in Germany? If yes, then search no more! The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) makes available a fully comprehensive research grant for development and newly industrialized countries. In this article, Opportunities Radar will delve into all the relevant details about the DAAD PhD Scholarship Programme 2025-26.
Applicants with a Master’s or Bachelor’s degree (not graduated longer than six years before the application deadline) and doctoral students (Who did not start their doctoral degrees more than 3 years ago) are eligible to apply.
The German Federal Foreign Office funds the scholarships. The funding covers monthly payments of 1,300 euros, health insurance, payments for personal responsibilities, travel allowance, and an annual research allowance of 460 euros for an online language course. DAAD provides a letter of award for the visa application process at the respective German consulate.
The program offers funding for the following activities: An individual project supervised by a university teacher (doctoral supervisor) Participate in a structured doctoral degree program for a duration of 42 months at a German state-recognized higher education institution or a non-university research institution offering development-related courses. Research stays outside Germany, if indispensable for the successful completion of the doctorate (up to 25% total funding period).
You must apply online using the DAAD Online portal before 30th August 2024. Ensure your eligibility and attach all necessary documents.
DAAD’s selection committee gives preference to applicants who have significant research projects, a strong desire to stay in Germany for academic and personal reasons, a strong interest in learning the German language, and exceptional extracurricular activities that demonstrate their knowledge and skills. If you are fit for this, please apply!
DAAD PhD Scholarship Programme 2025-26 – Details
- Location: Germany
- Sponsored By: German Federal Foreign Office
- Ph.D. Scholarship: Research Grants – Doctoral Programmes
- Coverage: Fully Funded
- Deadline: 30th August, 2024.
Also, Check: Leiden University Minerva Scholarship Fund 2025
Duration:
- For the research grants – doctoral programs in Germany, the funding period is 42 months.
Eligibility criteria:
Academic qualificationÂ
- A master’s degree or diploma in a relevant field is required (CGPA requirements vary with the institution you are applying to).
- In exceptional cases, a bachelor’s degree may be considered. Please refer to each university’s academic requirements to identify the required bachelor’s degree for the PhD course.
- International PhD students or researchers who have already started their research in graduate school or elsewhere are welcome.
Age requirements: There is no specific age limit.
Nationality requirement: You can apply if you’re an international student from a developing country (the official website’s requirements section contains a list).
Language skills: evidence of proficiency in German or English (depending on the language of instruction and research) through standardized tests such as the TOEFL, IELS, TestDaF, and DSH.
Research proposal:
A well-structured and defined research proposal,
Including;Â
- Clearly defined objectives and research goals
- Originality, topicality
- Choice of the host institution
- Methodology and Approach
- The research’s significance and relevance
- Impact, expected outcomes
Host institution:
- In Germany, a state recognizes a higher education institution or a non-university research institute.
- Acceptance letter from the host institution
DAAD PhD Scholarship Program Benefits:
- Monthly Scholarship:  € 1,300 for PhD candidates
- The annual research allowance is € 460.
- Insurance: Insurance coverage against sickness, accident, and personal liability
- Travel Allowance: Unless otherwise paid by the home country or other endowments
- The monthly rent subsidy and allowance for accompanying family members are subject to certain conditions.
- Language support by DAAD: DAAD provides language training for a research stay in Germany through;
- Online language course; German language course; stay in Germany before the research stay.
- Allowance for personal language course;
- Refund of the TestDaF/DSH examination fee.
- Language training for a research stay in Germany.
Don’t Miss Out
Courses Offered:
The DAAD Research Grants for Doctoral Programmes in Germany 2025/26 provide funding in many fields of studies, including the following ones:
- Natural Sciences: (Biology Chemistry Earth Science. Mathematics. Physics)
- Engineering: (Aerospace Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Mechanical Engineering)
- Agriculture and Forestry: (Agricultural Sciences Forestry, Horticulture)
- Medicine (Human Medicine, Veterinary Medicine)
- Social Sciences and Humanities (Economics, Law, Social Science, Humanities, Theology)
- Linguistics and Literary Studies (Linguistics, Literary Studies)
- Programs Interdisciplinary in Nature (Environmental Sciences Nanotechnology Biotechnology)
- Computer science
Note: This list is not exhaustive, but other fields of study may be funded.
Documents Required:
- Academic transcripts
- Language proficiency documents
- Recommendation letters
- Statement of Purpose / Motivation Letter
- Comprehensive CV / Resume
- Work experience documents
- Research Proposal – In case it’s a research-based program
DAAD PhD Scholarship Application Process:
- Ensure you meet the eligibility criteria.
- Select a host institution in Germany and get an acceptance letter from there.
- Upload all the required documents.
- Submit your application.
- An independent selection committee reviews applications.
- DAAD notifies applicants of the selection outcome within 6–8 months after the application deadline.
- If selected, DAAD awards scholarships for genetics research.
DAAD RESEARCH GRANTS – DOCTORAL PROGRAM IN GERMANY OFFICIAL LINK
Note: For visa applications, DAAD provides the acceptance letter of award. In some cases, it may also reimburse the visa application fee of € 75.Â
Application Deadline:
The deadline for applying for DAAD research grants and doctoral programs in Germany in 2025/26 is August 30, 2024.
