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

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

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Raushan
Raushan Kumar
Assistant Manager Content
Updated on Apr 10, 2026 10:46 IST
Planning to study in Germany? Confused about what is DAAD and what it does? Read on to understand the programs and scholarships offered by DAAD for students planning to study in Germany. The Deutscher Akademischer Austausch Deinst or the German Academic Exchange Service is essentially an international funding organization.
Planning to study in Germany you must have heard about DAAD. The Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst of the German Academic Exchange Service. Set in 1925 by a single student, it has grown into an international organization that promotes German Education to international students as well as provides effective exchange program.
daad germany

DAAD Scholarship for Indian Students is a big chance for students in India who want to study in Germany without too much financial stress. DAAD means German Academic Exchange Service, and it gives many scholarships for Master's, PhD, and research programs in top German universities. Many Indian students like this scholarship because Germany has good education, safe environment, and strong career options after studies.

The DAAD Scholarship helps students by giving a monthly stipend, health insurance, travel allowance, and sometimes it even covers tuition fees if needed. This support makes living and studying in Germany easier. This is very important for students who worry about high German living costs. The scholarship also gives students a chance to meet new people, learn about German culture, and build a strong academic profile.

To apply for the DAAD Scholarship for Indian Students, you need good academic marks, a simple but clear study plan, and documents like SOP, LORs, and language certificates. The process can feel a bit long, but if you start early and follow the steps properly, it becomes easy to manage. Overall, the DAAD Scholarship is a great option for Indian students who dream of studying in Germany.

Table of contents
  • What Does DAAD Germany Help With?
  • DAAD Scholarship Latest Deadline
  • DAAD Scholarships and Funding
  • Can Indian Students Apply for DAAD Germany Scholarships?
  • How to Apply for a DAAD Scholarship?
  • Other Things DAAD Can Help With

What Does DAAD Germany Help With?

You can treat it as your first point of contact. DAAD is like a first step if you are planning higher education in Germany. It has strong connections with German universities and helps students with:

  • Giving DAAD scholarships for international students
  • Funding your education in Germany by means of scholarships
  • Helping with admissions in Germany (UG/PG/PhD)
  • Finding international courses in Germany
  • Getting health insurance while studying in Germany

It also runs DAAD iDA (International DAAD Academy), which hosts events in over 70 countries. Indian students can attend these to meet German university reps and ask questions.

DAAD Scholarship Latest Deadline

The DAAD scholarship deadline varies depending on the course and program. Most DAAD scholarships for international students open between August and October and close between November and January. Applicants should always check the official DAAD scholarship database for the latest deadlines and specific program requirements before applying.

DAAD Scholarship for Medicine 

Scholarship Name Who Can Apply Application Deadline
EPOS – Development-Related Postgraduate Courses Graduates with at least 2 years of professional experience from eligible developing countries Varies by university/course (check individual program)

DAAD Scholarship for Engineering, Agriculture, Forestry

Scholarship Name Who Can Apply Application Deadline
EPOS – Development-Related Postgraduate Courses Graduates with at least 2 years of professional experience from eligible developing countries Varies by university/course
Architecture and Related Fields Graduates with a first degree in Architecture, Urban Planning, Civil Engineering, or related fields Typically in spring/summer
KOSPIE (Koh Samui Programme for Indian Engineers) Indian students from IITs pursuing engineering degrees Rolling applications
EPOS – Development-Related Postgraduate Courses (Engineering) Graduates with at least 2 years of professional experience from eligible developing countries Varies by university/course

DAAD Scholarship for Art, Music, Design

Scholarship Name Who Can Apply Application Deadline
Art, Music and Design Graduates with a degree in art, music, or design fields Typically varies by institution
DAAD Scholarship for Study at German Universities of Applied Sciences Graduates with relevant professional degrees Varies
Art and Design Graduates with degrees in art, design, or related creative fields Varies

DAAD Scholarship for Mathematics, Natural Sciences







Scholarship Name Who Can Apply Application Deadline
Natural Sciences and Mathematics Graduates with degrees in natural sciences, mathematics, or related fields Varies by program
Study Scholarships for Graduates in Natural Sciences Graduates with a first degree in natural sciences fields Typically spring/summer

DAAD Scholarship for Law, Economics, Social Sciences

Scholarship Name Who Can Apply Application Deadline
Helmut-Schmidt Programme (Master's Scholarships for Public Policy and Good Governance) Future leaders from developing countries with a bachelor's degree Typically around October
Law, Economics, and Social Sciences Graduates with degrees in law, economics, or social sciences Varies

DAAD Scholarship for Language Studies, Cultural Studies

Scholarship Name Who Can Apply Application Deadline
Language and Cultural Studies Graduates with degrees in language, cultural studies, or humanities Varies by program
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DAAD Scholarship for Veterinary Medicine, Agriculture, Forestry

Scholarship Name Who Can Apply Application Deadline
Veterinary Medicine and Agriculture Graduates with degrees in veterinary medicine, agriculture, or forestry Varies

DAAD Scholarships and Funding

DAAD offers around 184 scholarships for international students. These scholarships range from funding a semester/ internship in Germany to funding your entire degree program. A few of the top scholarship programs for Indian students facilitated by DAAD Germany are:

Funding Name

Amount

Duration of Funding

Development-Related Postgraduate Courses (EPOS)

934 euros for graduates, 1,200 euros for doctoral candidates

12-42 months (depending on the program)

Study Scholarships - Postgraduate Studies in the Field of Architecture

  • 934 euros a month
    Travel Allowance
  • Off-Study Allowance
  • Health, Accident, Personal Liability Insurance Cover, etc

10-24 months

Study Scholarships - Postgraduate Studies in the Field of Music

  • 934 euros a month
    *health, accident and liability insurance cover
  • Travel Allowance
  • Off-Study Allowance

10-24 months

Study Scholarships - Postgraduate Studies in the Field of the Performing Arts

  • 934 euros a month
  • Health, accident and liability insurance cover
  • Travel Allowance
  • Off-Study Allowance

10-24 months

Combined Study and Practice Stays for Engineers from Developing Countries (KOSPIE) with Indian IITs

  • 861 euros a month
  • Health, accident and liability insurance cover
  • Off-research allowance of 266 euros
  • Travel and Rent Subsidy

7 months

Can Indian Students Apply for DAAD Germany Scholarships?

Yes, Indian students can apply for DAAD Germany scholarships for various courses, mainly at the postgraduate (Master’s) and doctoral (PhD) level. These scholarships are offered by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) to support international students who want to study in Germany.

To be eligible, students must have a good academic record, usually with at least 60% or above in their previous degree. Some DAAD scholarships for Indian students also require work experience, especially for professional courses. Applicants must meet language requirements, which can be IELTS/TOEFL for English-taught programs or German language tests for German-taught courses.

The application process is online and varies by program. Students need to submit documents such as academic transcripts, Statement of Purpose (SOP), Letters of Recommendation (LOR), CV, and language test scores.

It is important to check the official DAAD scholarship eligibility and deadlines for each program. With proper planning and strong documents, Indian students have a good chance to secure funding and study in Germany.

How to Apply for a DAAD Scholarship?

To apply for a DAAD scholarship, first choose a suitable program from the official DAAD database. Check the DAAD eligibility criteria and deadlines carefully. Prepare required documents like SOP, LOR, CV, academic transcripts, and language scores (IELTS/TOEFL). Submit your DAAD application online through the official portal or university website.

  1. Go to the official DAAD India website
  2. Search for scholarships by course or study level
  3. Read the eligibility and documents needed
  4. Fill the online application form
  5. Upload all documents and submit before the deadline

Note: It is advised to apply at least 6–9 months before your course starts.

Other Things DAAD Can Help With

Apart from funding, DAAD scholarships also support students with travel costs, health insurance, and monthly living expenses. DAAD can help you find universities, courses, and research opportunities in Germany. It also offers guidance on visa, accommodation, and student life, making it easier for international students to study in Germany.

  • Finding internships in Germany for Indian students
  • Checking admission steps for German universities
  • Applying for health insurance in Germany
  • Attending DAAD webinars and events to meet German university teams

Exceptional students with spectacular achievements in German language and literature, overseas academic exchange, German Studies, etc., are frequently awarded by the DAAD. You can also go through a more comprehensive list of Scholarships in Germany here.







Q&A Icon
Commonly asked questions
Q:   What is DAAD Scholarship?
A: 

When you think about studying in Germany, the German Academic Exchange Service which people call DAAD has got scholarships available. These DAAD scholarships are specially meant for international students who's really good at their studies and also for researchers. If your planning to pursue studies in Germany or maybe do some research work there, this could be perfect option for you.

Q:   Are Indians eligibile for DAAD Scholarship?
A: 

Yes, Indian students are eligible for DAAD scholarships. However, there is a fixed number of scholarships for Indians and to get them eligible students have to apply early. Make sure, you fulfill the eligibility criteria at the time of apply for scholarship.

Q:   Can I get a DAAD scholarship for undergrad?
A: 

Mostly no. DAAD scholarships are for postgraduate (masters), PhD, and research programs.

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Raushan Kumar
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Raushan Kumar is a skilled writer and a Study Abroad Expert in the Editorial Team at Shiksha. He oversees various aspects of studying abroad, including educational opportunities, entrance exams, colleges, latest new Read Full Bio
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Comments

(4)

How can I apply for DAAD please tell me

Reply to Anurag Kumar Jha

R

Rahul Singha

5 years ago

Hello Anurag. You are requested to visit the official website of DAAD and follow the instructions mentioned on the page.

R

Rana Singh

5 years ago

2) What is proven work Experience for applying in Daad , does it should be from Sociological or academic background or any type of work Experience of 2 years i.e. no relevance from academics ??

Reply to Rana Singh

R

Rahul Singha

5 years ago

Hello Rana. Work experience has to be related to your field of study.

R

Rana Singh

5 years ago

1) Is my 3 year graduation from BHU is valid for DAAD and do the German Public Universities accept any such kinda students of 3 year grad from India for Masters in Sociology. As i m looking take admission only in Public Universities.

Reply to Rana Singh

R

Rahul Singha

5 years ago

Hello Rana. Thank you for writing in. you can check out all about public universities in Germany here: https://studyabroad.shiksha.com/list-of-public-universities-in-germany-articlepage-1995. Check out the eligibility criteria and admission requirements by following the link.

8 years ago

I did BSc in Chemical Engineering in the year 2000.l did a job in petrochemical plant from 2001 to 2008, then I went to technical college in 2009 and I have been teaching petroleum technology subjects since 2009 . Now I want to get scholarship in Master program in Germany. Plz guide me how to apply

Reply to