DAAD Scholarships Germany Master & PhD 2026
Complete guide to DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service) scholarships for Indian Master's and PhD students in 2026. Covers EPOS, Helmut-Schmidt, WISE, and Study Scholarships — €934–€1,300/mo stipend, free airfare, and health insurance.
Last verified February 2026, against the official DAAD Scholarship Database at daad.de/en/study-and-research-in-germany/scholarships.DAAD funding is merit-based and 100% free to apply for directly — no agent or consultant fee is required or should ever be charged.
What Does a DAAD Scholarship Cover?
A full DAAD Scholarship covers 100% of your child's financial needs, eliminating the requirement for a self-funded Blocked Account. The benefits package for Master's-level DAAD awards includes:
- €992/month stipend (~₹89,000/month) for living expenses
- Round-trip airfare (India ⇄ Germany) fully covered
- Health insurance — 100% covered under German public health plan
- €460 annual research/study allowance
- 2–4 months free German language course before semester start
DAAD Study Scholarships (Master's — All Disciplines)
- Who can apply: High-performing Indian graduates across STEM, Business, and Arts applying for Master's degrees in Germany
- Monthly stipend: €992/month for up to 24 months
- Application deadline: October to November annually (for the following intake)
- Application portal: daad.de DAAD-Portal
DAAD EPOS (Development-Related Postgraduate Courses)
- Who can apply: Indian engineers, environmental scientists, economists, and public health professionals with at least 2 years of full-time work experience after graduation
- Monthly stipend: €992/month (Master's) | €1,300/month (PhD)
- Covered programs: Select development-focused programs at TU Dresden, University of Stuttgart, University of Bonn
- Note: Applications go directly to the university program, not through DAAD-Portal
DAAD Helmut-Schmidt-Programme (Public Policy & Good Governance)
- Who can apply: Indian graduates in Law, Economics, Political Science, and Public Policy targeting leadership careers
- Monthly stipend: €992/month + health insurance + rent subsidy + free 4-month German language course
- Application window: June 1 to July 31 annually
DAAD WISE (Working Internships in Science & Engineering)
- Who can apply: Indian 3rd-year B.Tech / B.E. or B.Sc. students at IITs, NITs, IISERs, BITS Pilani, and top state universities
- Benefits: 2–3 month summer research internship under a German university professor
- Monthly stipend: €750/month + €1,200 round-trip travel grant + health insurance
- Application deadline: November 1 annually
Eligibility Requirements
All DAAD Master's scholarships require:
- An undergraduate degree from a recognized Indian university (3-year or 4-year, APS-verified)
- Strong academic record — typically 8.0 CGPA or above (7.5+ minimum for some schemes)
- Statement of Purpose demonstrating clear academic motivation
- 2 academic Letters of Recommendation from Indian university professors
- English proficiency: IELTS 6.5+ or TOEFL iBT 90+ (some programs accept German B2)
- APS India certificate (mandatory for all programs at public German universities)
Application Checklist
- Online application through DAAD-Portal or university portal
- Statement of Purpose (research proposal for PhD / academic motivation for Master's)
- 2 Letters of Recommendation (LOR) from Indian academic supervisors
- Transcripts (all semesters, attested copies)
- Degree certificate (attested)
- APS India certificate (or proof of APS appointment)
- Language proficiency certificate (IELTS/TOEFL or German B2)
- Updated CV / academic resume
- Proof of enrolment or degree (for current students)
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I apply for DAAD before receiving a university offer letter?
Yes — DAAD Study Scholarships and EPOS applications are submitted in October/November, well before German universities issue admission letters (typically March–May). You shortlist target programs in your application but do not need a confirmed offer.
Is the DAAD stipend enough to cover living costs without a Blocked Account?
Yes. The €992/month DAAD stipend exceeds the German embassy's Blocked Account release threshold (€934/month as of 2026) and is accepted as proof of financial means for the National Visa. You do not need a Blocked Account if you hold a DAAD award.
Can Indian students with a 3-year bachelor's degree apply?
DAAD evaluates 3-year Indian bachelor's degrees on a case-by-case basis via the APS Certificate. You will also need to check if your target university accepts 3-year degrees — see [DE-CHOOSE-04: 3-Year Bachelor Acceptance Guide](/study-in/germany/germany-3yr-bachelor-acceptance).
What is the DAAD selection rate for Indian applicants?
The overall DAAD scholarship selection rate is approximately 3–5% of applicants. Acceptance is highly competitive and merit-based. Strong candidates typically have a CGPA of 8.5+, a focused research statement, and at least one publication or strong internship record.
Do I need to speak German to receive a DAAD scholarship?
No. Most DAAD-funded Master's programs are taught entirely in English. However, DAAD provides a free 2–4 month German language course before your semester begins, and basic German (A1/A2) is strongly encouraged for daily life.
Applicable Universities for DAAD Scholarships Germany Master & PhD 2026
6 ListedLMU Munich: €0 Tuition Elite Data Science & Quantum Master's Guide 2026
LMU Munich guide for top-tier Indian applicants. 43 Nobel Laureates, 100% tuition-free (€0), Elite Data Science MS, and Munich tech cluster.
Chemnitz University of Technology
Complete 2026 guide to Chemnitz University of Technology for Indian students and parents.
FAU Erlangen-Nürnberg (Friedrich-Alexander-Universität)
Complete 2026 guide to FAU Erlangen-Nürnberg (Friedrich-Alexander-Universität) for Indian students and parents.
Heidelberg University (Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg)
Complete 2026 guide to Heidelberg University (Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg) for Indian students and parents.
Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT)
Complete 2026 guide to Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) for Indian students and parents.
KIT (Karlsruhe Institute of Technology)
Complete 2026 guide to KIT (Karlsruhe Institute of Technology) for Indian students and parents.
Ready to Apply for DAAD Scholarships Germany Master & PhD 2026?
Access official portal guidelines and application steps. Zero gating, no mandatory signups required.