DAAD Scholarship for Indian Students: Eligibility, Process, & Benefits

DAAD Scholarship Germany offers funding opportunities for international students, graduates, doctoral candidates, and researchers who want to study or conduct research in Germany. According to the official DAAD scholarship information, selected Master's scholarship programmes list a monthly stipend of €992.

DAAD stands for Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst, or the German Academic Exchange Service. It was founded on January 13, 1925, in Heidelberg, Germany, on the initiative of student Carl Joachim Friedrich. It supports international academic exchange and provides information about funding opportunities for study and research. Indian students can explore DAAD scholarships for eligible Master's, doctoral, research, and other academic programmes.

Depending on the programme, a DAAD scholarship may provide a monthly stipend, insurance support, a travel allowance, and other benefits. Some programmes may also offer additional allowances. The exact benefits, eligibility criteria, and funding period vary by scholarship.

Students planning to study in Germany should compare scholarship eligibility with their academic background, chosen course, language skills, and professional experience. Explore universities in Germany and available courses before selecting a scholarship. You can also read about the cost of living in Germany to plan your budget.

DAAD Scholarship Germany: Key Facts

The stipend and eligibility details in this article refer to the individual DAAD programme listings linked in the relevant sections. Applicants should check those listings again before applying.

What Does DAAD Germany Help With?

The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) supports international academic exchange and provides information about scholarships, study opportunities, and research in Germany. Students can use its official resources to find funding programmes that match their academic background and study plans.

DAAD resources can help students:

• Find scholarships: Search for funding opportunities by country, academic status, subject, and programme.
• Explore study options: Find information about higher education and research opportunities in Germany.
• Understand eligibility: Review the requirements for a particular scholarship before applying.
• Check funding benefits: Find the stipend, duration, insurance support, and other benefits listed for a programme.
• Prepare an application: Review the documents and submission steps required by the selected scholarship.

DAAD also provides information and events that help students and researchers learn about academic opportunities and international exchange.

DAAD Scholarship Latest Deadline 2026-2027

There is no single application deadline for all DAAD scholarships. Each programme has its own application period, eligibility requirements, and funding dates. Applicants should use the official DAAD scholarship database to check the deadline for their chosen programme.

For the programmes listed below, the deadline or funding period must be checked individually. Do not use a general university admission deadline as the deadline for a DAAD scholarship.

Selected DAAD Scholarship Deadlines

Official sources: KOSPIE with Indian IITs, EPOS, and the DAAD scholarship database.

DAAD Scholarship for Medicine and Health-Related Fields

DAAD funding opportunities depend on the course, qualification, and purpose of study. Students interested in medicine or health-related fields should search the official scholarship database and check the eligibility requirements of each programme. Do not assume that every DAAD scholarship supports a full medical degree.

One relevant programme for eligible graduates is the Development-Related Postgraduate Courses (EPOS) scheme. It supports selected postgraduate courses in Germany and requires applicants to meet the professional experience and other eligibility criteria listed for the programme.

Applicants should confirm that their intended course is included in the official EPOS list before preparing an application. The course-specific entry is the final reference for eligibility and deadlines.

DAAD Scholarships for Engineering, Agriculture, and Forestry

DAAD lists different scholarships for graduates and students in engineering, natural sciences, agriculture, forestry, and related areas. Eligibility depends on the programme. Some scholarships support postgraduate courses, while others fund research or a specific study period in Germany.

Important: KOSPIE is not open to every engineering student in India. The current DAAD listing specifies eligible IIT students and particular stages of their Master's or integrated/dual-degree programmes.

KOSPIE Scholarship Eligibility for Indian Students

The DAAD KOSPIE programme with Indian IITs offers an opportunity to complete project work related to a Master's thesis under the guidance of a professor at a participating German technical university.

According to the DAAD programme listing, applicants must meet the following requirements:

• Be enrolled at an eligible Indian Institute of Technology (IIT).
• Be in the second semester of a two-year Master's programme, the fourth semester of a three-year Master's programme, or the eighth semester of an integrated or dual-degree programme, as specified by DAAD.
• Have a minimum CGPA of 8.5.
• Have an above-average GATE score.
• Submit confirmation of supervision from a university teacher in Germany.
• Have a valid passport at the time of application.
• Meet the programme's English-language expectations. German is not required at the time of application, but successful participation in the German course at the host university is required for continued funding.

The listing also states that applicants cannot receive funding from another German scholarship-awarding organisation or German public authority at the same time as the DAAD scholarship.

Application deadline: The published 2026 application period was February 20 to April 1, 2026. Currently, the application period has passed. The next deadline should be confirmed through the official KOSPIE listing.

DAAD Scholarships for Art, Music, and Design

DAAD provides scholarship opportunities for some postgraduate study and research programmes in creative fields. Applicants should search the scholarship database for the relevant discipline and check whether their intended course and qualification are covered.

Applicants should use the official DAAD database rather than assume that all art, music, or design courses follow the same eligibility rules.

DAAD Scholarships for Mathematics and Natural Sciences

Students and graduates in mathematics and natural sciences can search DAAD for study scholarships and research funding. The eligible qualification, academic level, duration, and application deadline depend on the programme selected.

Students should confirm whether the funding supports a full degree, a research stay, or a shorter academic visit before applying.

DAAD Scholarships for Law, Economics, and Social Sciences

Students interested in law, economics, social sciences, public policy, and governance can search the DAAD database for relevant postgraduate funding. The programme's own eligibility criteria determine whether an applicant's previous degree, work experience, and intended course are suitable.

Do not assume that a general degree in law, economics, or social sciences automatically qualifies an applicant for these scholarships. Check the programme's academic and professional requirements first.

DAAD Scholarships for Language and Cultural Studies

Applicants interested in language studies, cultural studies, humanities, and related fields should search the DAAD database for programmes that match their academic background and study plans. The funding level, duration, required language skills, and deadline depend on the individual scholarship.

Before applying, check whether the scholarship supports a full degree, research, or another type of academic stay. Also confirm the required language certificate and the accepted language of instruction for the selected programme.

DAAD Scholarships and Funding Amounts

The amount of funding offered by DAAD depends on the scholarship programme and the applicant's academic level. A scholarship may include a monthly stipend and additional benefits such as insurance support, travel assistance, or a study allowance. Not every programme offers the same benefits.

The following table lists amounts published in selected official DAAD programme descriptions. These are programme-specific figures, not a universal DAAD scholarship amount.

Note: The €992 monthly stipend is for the selected Master's scholarship and KOSPIE programme listings that specify this amount. EPOS lists a different amount for doctoral candidates. Applicants should check the live listing for the exact funding level, additional benefits, and eligibility conditions applicable to them.

DAAD Scholarship Eligibility for Indian Students

DAAD scholarship eligibility depends on the programme. Some scholarships are open to graduates from eligible countries, while others are restricted to specific institutions, subjects, qualifications, or academic stages. Applicants must meet the criteria stated in the official scholarship description.

For example, the DAAD EPOS programme requires applicants to have at least two years of professional experience and to apply to an eligible postgraduate course. The KOSPIE programme with Indian IITs has specific IIT enrolment, academic-stage, CGPA, GATE, and supervision requirements.

There is no universal DAAD rule that all applicants must have at least 60% marks. Academic requirements differ by scholarship and may use a specific grade, CGPA, qualification, or other assessment criteria.

Academic Qualifications

Check the required degree, subject, grades, and academic stage in the selected scholarship listing. Some programmes are designed for graduates, while others target current students, doctoral candidates, or researchers. Meeting the minimum academic requirements does not guarantee selection.

Work Experience

Work experience is required for some programmes but not all. For example, EPOS requires at least two years of professional experience. Applicants should check the specific programme's definition of acceptable experience and any other conditions.

Language Requirements

Language requirements depend on the scholarship and the course. Applicants may need to show proficiency in English or German, depending on the language of instruction and programme rules. Accepted tests, minimum scores, and exemptions must be checked in the relevant scholarship or university listing.

Do not assume that IELTS or TOEFL is mandatory for every DAAD scholarship, or that the same minimum score applies to all programmes. Review the exact requirements before booking a language test.

Documents Required

The required documents vary by scholarship. Depending on the programme, applicants may need to submit:

• Academic certificates and transcripts
• Curriculum vitae (CV)
• Statement of Purpose or motivation letter
• Letters of recommendation, if required
• Proof of language proficiency, where required
• Proof of professional experience, where required
• Research proposal or project description, if required
• Admission or supervisor confirmation, if required by the programme
• Passport and other documents specified in the application instructions

Use the official scholarship listing as the final checklist. Do not submit documents that are not requested unless the programme specifically allows them.

How to Apply for a DAAD Scholarship?

The application process depends on the selected scholarship. Many DAAD scholarships use the online DAAD portal, while some programmes may have additional course-specific steps. Follow the instructions in the official listing rather than assuming that every scholarship follows the same process.

1. Open the DAAD scholarship database. Visit the official DAAD scholarship page.
2. Search for a suitable programme. Filter by country, academic status, subject, and intended study or research activity.
3. Read the eligibility criteria. Check the required degree, grades, work experience, language skills, and other conditions.
4. Check the deadline. Confirm the application period and funding start date shown in the selected programme listing.
5. Prepare the documents. Use the official list to collect transcripts, CV, motivation letter, language proof, and any other required documents.
6. Complete the application. Follow the portal and programme instructions carefully.
7. Submit before the deadline. Check that all required fields and attachments are complete before submitting.
8. Monitor the application. Follow the programme's instructions for updates, selection results, and any further steps.

Start preparing well before the deadline, especially if you need academic references, proof of work experience, language test results, or confirmation from a German university. The time required will depend on the programme and the documents you already have.

How to Check DAAD Scholarship Eligibility

Use this checklist before applying for a DAAD scholarship:

• Does the programme accept applicants from India?
• Does your academic qualification match the programme requirements?
• Is your subject or intended course eligible?
• Do you meet any minimum grade, CGPA, or academic-stage requirements?
• Do you have the required professional experience, if applicable?
• Can you meet the language requirements?
• Can you prepare the required documents before the deadline?
• Have you checked the current funding amount, duration, and benefits?

If you are unsure which programme fits your profile, compare the official DAAD requirements with your qualifications and intended course before starting the application. You can also explore universities in Germany and contact Shiksha Study Abroad counsellors for guidance on course options and admission planning.

Other Ways DAAD Supports International Students

Along with scholarship information, DAAD provides resources about studying, research, and academic exchange in Germany. The benefits available to a scholarship holder depend on the individual programme.

• Information about eligible study and research opportunities
• Details of scholarship funding, duration, and application requirements
• Information about programme-specific insurance and travel benefits
• Guidance on application procedures and required documents
• Links to participating universities and academic programmes

Students should read the programme description carefully to understand which benefits are included and which costs they may need to pay themselves.

You can also explore the broader list of scholarships in Germany to compare funding opportunities.

DAAD Scholarship Germany FAQs