DAAD Scholarships in Germany for Development-Related Postgraduate Courses

The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) offers the Development-Related Postgraduate Courses (EPOS) scholarships for the 2025/2026 academic year, aimed at fostering sustainable development by supporting professionals from developing and newly industrialized countries. These fully funded scholarships enable young graduates and professionals to pursue postgraduate or Master’s degrees, and in exceptional cases, doctoral degrees, at state or state-recognized German universities. The program targets individuals committed to addressing global challenges such as poverty reduction, climate change, and sustainable governance.

Overview

The EPOS program, funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), supports academically trained professionals who are networked with international partners and poised to drive progress in their home countries. Since its inception in 1987, over 7,000 scholarships have been awarded, with a focus on fields critical to development. The scholarships cover a range of disciplines, including:

• Economic Sciences, Business Administration, and Political Economics
• Development Cooperation
• Engineering and Related Sciences
• Mathematics
• Regional and Urban Planning
• Agricultural and Forest Sciences
• Natural and Environmental Sciences
• Medicine and Public Health
• Social Sciences, Education, and Law
• Media Studies

The program duration ranges from 12 to 24 months for Master’s degrees and up to 42 months for PhD programs, depending on the chosen course.

Benefits

The DAAD EPOS Scholarship provides comprehensive financial support, including:

• Monthly Stipend: €992 for Master’s students and €1,300 for doctoral candidates (as of February 2026, €1,400 for doctoral candidates).
• Insurance: Coverage for health, accident, and personal liability insurance.
• Travel Allowance: Provided unless covered by the home country or another funding source.
• Additional Benefits (under certain circumstances):
• Monthly rent subsidy.
• Monthly allowance for accompanying family members.
• Language Courses: For programs taught in German, a preparatory 6-month German language course in Germany is included, requiring a minimum B1 level proficiency at the time of application. For English-taught programs, proof of adequate language skills (e.g., IELTS Band 6 or TOEFL: 550 paper-based, 213 computer-based, 80 internet-based) is required.

Note: DAAD does not cover tuition fees, though most German universities do not charge them. However, some institutions, particularly in Baden-Württemberg (€1,500 per semester for non-EU/EEA students) or private universities, may require tuition fees. Applicants should verify with their chosen university.

Eligibility Criteria

To qualify for the DAAD EPOS Scholarship, applicants must meet the following requirements:

• Origin: Be from a developing or newly industrialized country (check the DAAD website for the list of eligible countries).
• Academic Background: Hold a Bachelor’s degree (typically a four-year course) in a relevant field, completed no more than six years prior to the application.
• Professional Experience: Have at least two years of professional experience in a relevant field, typically working for a public authority, state, or private company engaged in development-related projects.
• Academic Performance: Demonstrate above-average academic results (upper third) and the potential to successfully complete a study program in Germany.
• Motivation: Show a commitment to development-related goals and a willingness to take on social responsibility and initiate change in their professional and personal environments post-scholarship.
• Residency: Not have resided in Germany for more than 15 months at the time of the application deadline.
• Language Proficiency:
• For German-taught programs: Minimum B1 German proficiency, with the ability to pass DSH 2 or TestDaF 4 after the preparatory course.
• For English-taught programs: Meet the specific language requirements of the chosen course.

Application Process

Applications for the DAAD EPOS Scholarship 2025/2026 are submitted directly to the respective university, not to DAAD. The process involves the following steps:

1. Research Programs: Identify eligible postgraduate courses from the EPOS Brochure 2025/2026 or the DAAD scholarship database (www.funding-guide.de). A list of programs with application deadlines is available at: https://static.daad.de/media/daad_de/pdfs_nicht_barrierefrei/in-deutschland-studieren-forschen-lehren/daad_epos_deadlines_2026_27.pdf.
2. Check Deadlines: Application deadlines vary by university and program, typically falling between August and October 2025 for the 2026/2027 academic year. Confirm specific deadlines on the respective course websites.
3. Prepare Documents: Required documents include:
• Completed DAAD application form.
• Hand-signed CV (using the Europass template).
• Hand-signed letter of motivation (maximum 2 pages) outlining development-related commitments.
• Previous degree certificates and transcripts.
• Proof of language proficiency (German or English, as applicable).
• Professional letters of recommendation from an employer.
• Confirmation of employment from the employer.
• All documents must be in English or German and submitted as PDF files.
4. Submit Application: Apply directly to the chosen university’s application portal. Applicants can apply for up to three courses, listing them in order of priority in the DAAD application form. Do not change priorities across application forms.
5. Selection Process: An independent selection committee reviews applications based on academic qualifications, project quality, preparation, and the applicant’s potential for impact. Shortlisted candidates will be contacted by DAAD to upload their documents to the DAAD Portal.
6. Final Steps: Selected applicants will be notified and may need to provide additional documents or participate in an interview.

Key Deadlines

Deadlines vary by program and university. Examples for the 2026/2027 intake include:

• Master Program for International and Development Economics: August 31, 2025.
• Small Enterprise Promotion and Training (SEPT) MBA: October 1, 2025.
• Doctoral Program at University of Bonn: August 31, 2025. For a complete list, refer to the DAAD EPOS Brochure or the scholarship database.

Additional Notes

• Self-Financing Option: If not selected for the scholarship, applicants can apply for the EPOS program on a self-financed basis.
• Post-Study Opportunities: Upon completion, scholars can apply for a Germany Job Seeker Visa or Opportunity Card to seek employment in Germany.
• Impact: Over 70% of EPOS graduates return to their home countries, applying their expertise to development-related roles, with many working in international organizations like the World Bank or GIZ.