by Quick answer: There is no single DAAD scholarship deadline for 2027. The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) sets dates per programme, and often per country or per course. Study Scholarships and Research Grants deadlines are updated each year in the second quarter and usually fall in the same period as the year before, while EPOS courses each set their own date. Find yours in the DAAD scholarship database.
If you plan to start a master’s, PhD or research stay in Germany in 2027/28, this guide shows how DAAD deadlines work, compares three main programmes for international students, and explains what the scholarship pays.
Last verified: 28 September 2026 against DAAD.
How the DAAD scholarship deadline works
DAAD publishes each call in its scholarship database. For Study Scholarships and Research Grants, the programme pages say deadlines are updated annually in the second quarter and in most cases fall in the same period as the previous year.
So the 2027/28 dates may not be visible when you first look. Last year’s window is a fair planning guide, but not your confirmed date.
Watch the closing time too. The DAAD portal closes at 24.00 (CET or CEST) on the last application day. Convert that to your local time and submit a few days early.
DAAD scholarships for international students: main programmes compared
| Programme | Who it is for | Funding period | How the deadline is set |
|---|---|---|---|
| Study Scholarships – Master Studies for All Academic Disciplines | Graduates with a first degree, such as a bachelor’s, by the time funding starts | 10 to 24 months | Updated annually in the second quarter; apply through the DAAD portal |
| Development-Related Postgraduate Courses (EPOS) | Graduates from eligible countries with at least two years’ professional experience | 12 to 42 months | Set by each course; check the course website or brochure |
| Research Grants in Germany | Doctoral candidates and postdocs based outside Germany | Doctoral: 2 to 12 months; postdocs: 2 to 6 months | Updated annually in the second quarter; apply through the DAAD portal |
DAAD master’s scholarship deadline and rules
Study Scholarships fund a full master’s degree in Germany. Your first degree should usually be no more than 6 years old at the deadline, and you cannot apply if you have lived in Germany for more than 15 months by that date.
DAAD EPOS deadline: different for every course
With EPOS, you apply to the course directly, not to DAAD first. You can apply to up to three courses with one motivation letter. If a course selects you, you then get DAAD portal access to upload your full application. That is why each EPOS course has its own deadline.
DAAD PhD and research grant deadline
Doctoral candidates should have started their doctorate no more than 3 years before the deadline. Postdocs should have finished their doctorate no more than 4 years before it.
How to find your exact DAAD application deadline
- Open the DAAD scholarship database and use “Refine your selection” to filter by your country of origin and level.
- Open the programme entry, such as Study Scholarships or Research Grants.
- Read the application deadline section for your country.
- For EPOS, open the course’s own website instead.
- Note the 24.00 CET or CEST cut-off and plan to submit early.
- If the 2027/28 dates are not published yet, check again after the second-quarter update.
What a DAAD scholarship pays
DAAD scholarships do not have to be paid back. According to DAAD’s overview page, they usually include a monthly payment, currently for example €992 (nine hundred and ninety-two euros) for students and €1,300 (one thousand three hundred euros) for doctoral candidates, plus a flat-rate travel allowance. DAAD often also provides health, accident and personal liability insurance.
The EPOS database entry lists €934 (nine hundred and thirty-four euros) a month for graduates and €1,300 for doctoral candidates, with possible rent and family allowances. Because the two pages differ, confirm the rate in your award letter. The Study Scholarships entry states that DAAD does not cover tuition fees.
Worked example: at the €1,300 doctoral rate, a 6-month research stay adds up to €7,800 (seven thousand eight hundred euros) in monthly payments, before the travel allowance and other benefits.
Common mistakes
- Assuming one DAAD deadline covers every programme and country.
- Sending an EPOS application to DAAD instead of the course.
- Missing the 24.00 CET or CEST cut-off because of the time difference.
- Applying after living in Germany for more than 15 months.
Frequently asked questions
When is the DAAD scholarship deadline for 2027?
It depends on the programme and your country. Many Study Scholarships and Research Grants deadlines repeat the previous year’s window and are confirmed in the second quarter. EPOS courses set their own dates.
Is the DAAD scholarship fully funded?
It covers a monthly payment, a travel allowance and often insurance, and does not have to be repaid. The Study Scholarships programme does not pay tuition fees.
Where do I apply for a DAAD scholarship?
Study Scholarships and Research Grants go through the DAAD portal. EPOS applications go to the course first.
Can I apply to more than one EPOS course?
Yes, up to three courses with one motivation letter.
Related scholarships
Browse more scholarships in the UK, USA, Europe and Canada, see studying in Europe, or read our guide to the Erasmus Mundus Journalism scholarship.
Official sources
- DAAD scholarship database
- DAAD: Study Scholarships – Master Studies for All Academic Disciplines
- DAAD: Development-Related Postgraduate Courses (EPOS)
- DAAD: Research Grants in Germany
- DAAD Scholarships – An Overview
This is general information. Check the DAAD database for your programme before you apply.
