The DAAD Research Grants programme offers international researchers the opportunity to carry out a research project in Germany. It is the Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst, which translates to the German Academic Exchange Service. The programme specifically supports research stays during a doctorate or in the early postdoctoral phase. Through this funding, doctoral candidates and early-career researchers gain access to German universities and research institutions, advance their academic work, and build international networks.
In this guide, readers will discover the DAAD Research Grants in Germany 2027, including eligibility requirements, funding benefits, eligible research areas, application deadlines, required documents, and how to apply. It will help doctoral candidates and postdoctoral researchers understand the program and prepare a strong application.
DAAD Research Grants in Germany – Quick Matrix
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Programme Name | Research Grants in Germany |
| Target Group | Doctoral candidates (outside Germany) & early postdocs (up to 4 years after PhD) |
| What is Funded | Research project at a German university or research institute |
| Duration | Doctoral students: 2–12 months Postdocs: 2–6 months |
| Monthly Stipend | €1,400 |
| Other Benefits | Health/accident/liability insurance, travel allowance, research allowance (€460 for stays >6 months) |
| Additional Support | Rent subsidy, family allowance, disability support, language courses, Green Mobility Top Up (conditions apply) |
| Key Requirement | Confirmed academic supervisor + workplace in Germany |
| Cannot Apply If | Doing entire doctorate at a German university or resident in Germany >15 months |
| Application Deadlines | 24 September 2026 (funding from May 2027) 17 March 2027 (funding from September 2027) |
| Application Portal | DAAD Portal (opens ~6 weeks before deadline) |
Programme Objective
The research grant enables you to realise a clearly defined research project in Germany. It supports research stays while you pursue a doctorate outside Germany or during the early postdoc phase (up to four years after completing your doctorate).
Who Can Apply?
You can apply if you meet one of the following conditions:
- You are currently doing your doctorate at a university or research institution outside Germany, or
- You have already completed your doctorate and are in the early postdoc phase (up to 4 years after completing your doctorate).
Important restriction: You cannot apply if you are completing your entire doctorate at a German university.
What Can Be Funded?
The grant supports a research project at a state or state-recognised university or a non-university research institute in Germany. You must carry out the project in agreement with a scientific supervisor based in Germany.
DAAD Research Grants Duration of Funding
Funding covers the following periods:
- Doctoral students: 2 to 12 months
- Postdocs: 2 to 6 months
You cannot divide the funding into multiple separate stays. Research work conducted in different countries outside Germany is not eligible.
Indicate your preferred funding period in the application form. The funding must begin in 2027. The selection committee determines the final funding period based on your work schedule. The scholarship cannot be extended.
DAAD Research Grants & Scholarship Value and Benefits
Successful applicants receive the following support:
- Monthly scholarship payment of €1,400
- Contributions towards health, accident, and personal liability insurance
- Travel allowance (an application is required if the funding period exceeds 6 months)
- Research allowance of €460 for funding periods longer than six months
Additional Benefits (Available Under Certain Conditions)
After the start of funding, you may apply for:
- Monthly rent subsidy (only for funding periods longer than six months)
- Monthly allowance for accompanying family members (only for funding periods longer than six months)
- Subsidy for justified additional costs related to a disability or chronic illness
- Green Mobility Top Up (subsidy for climate-friendly travel) or reimbursement of carbon offset payments for air travel
Language Support (for Funding Periods Longer Than Six Months)
The DAAD also offers language preparation benefits:
- Payment of course fees for an online language course after you receive the Scholarship Award Letter
- German language course in Germany before the start of the research project (subject to DAAD decision)
- Allowance for a personally chosen German language course during the scholarship period
- Reimbursement of the fee for a TestDaF or DSH test
Note that benefits from third parties may be partially credited towards the DAAD scholarship.
Selection Process
An independent selection committee of specialist scientists reviews all applications.
The main selection criteria include:
Academic Qualification
- Academic achievements (grade point average and grade development)
- Academic progress
- Knowledge of the language(s) of instruction or working language(s)
- Scholarly achievements after graduation (publications, lectures, conference papers), if applicable
Quality of the Research Project
- Quality of the research proposal and preparation (originality, topicality, relevance, choice of host institution, and initial contacts)
- Feasibility and consistency of the study plan and schedule
- Integration of the project within the overall doctorate (in terms of content and time), if relevant
Potential of the Applicant
- Career prospects and the significance of the research project and stay in Germany for further academic, professional, and personal development
- Motivation (academic and personal reasons for wanting to visit Germany)
- Non-study-related knowledge, skills, and civic engagement
The selection committee also considers equal opportunities. You can provide relevant information in the application form.
Eligibility Requirements
Before applying, confirm that you meet these criteria:
- Doctoral students: The start of your doctorate should not be more than 3 years before the application deadline.
- Postdocs: You should not have completed your doctorate more than 4 years before the application deadline.
- Special regulations apply to applicants from human medicine, veterinary medicine, and dentistry.
- Your application cannot be considered if you have been resident in Germany for longer than 15 months at the application deadline.
Special Information for Applicants from Medical Fields
DAAD funds research visits for young academics in medical fields, but only certain types of projects qualify:
What is funded
- Research projects in the natural sciences (e.g., Dr. rer. nat., Dr. rer. medic., Dr. rer. med.)
What is not funded
- Further clinical training
- Specialist medical training in Germany
- Any project that requires the scholarship holder to work as a doctor (with state licence or temporary permission to practise medicine)
Recommended programmes depending on your goal
- For a research project in Germany → Research Grants in Germany
- For a full doctoral degree in a natural science subject in Germany → Research Grants – Doctoral Programmes in Germany
- For a doctorate started in your home country with a research phase in Germany → Research Grants – Bi-nationally Supervised Doctoral Degrees (Cotutelle)
Application Deadlines for DAAD Research Grants in Germany
Application deadlines are updated annually. Current deadlines for funding starting in 2027 are:
- 24 September 2026
Selection expected in February 2027 · Funding starts from May 2027 - 17 March 2027
Selection expected in July 2027 · Funding starts from September 2027
Required Application Documents
After registering on the DAAD portal, complete the online application and upload the following documents in the “Attachments” section.
Mandatory documents
- Full curriculum vitae in tabular form (maximum 3 pages)
- List of published publications (maximum 10 pages; mandatory for postdocs)
- Letter of motivation (1–2 pages) explaining academic and personal reasons for the research project in Germany
- Research proposal (maximum 10 pages), prepared by you and discussed with your academic adviser in Germany
- Time schedule of the planned research work
- Proof of admission to doctoral studies / enrolment (for doctoral students)
- Confirmation from the academic host in Germany (must refer to your project and guarantee a workplace)
- Declaration from the scientific supervisor in Germany on safety-relevant and ethical aspects of the research project
- All university degree certificates already obtained (Bachelor’s, Master’s, doctorate), stating final grades
- Transcripts of Records showing individual grades
- One recent letter of recommendation on a DAAD form from a university teacher (for doctoral students, preferably from the thesis supervisor)
Optional documents
- Certificates of employment
- Proof of extracurricular engagement
- Any other documents you consider relevant
You may upload scanned (non-certified) copies. The DAAD reserves the right to request certified copies later. Documents in other languages must include German or English translations.
How to Submit Your Application
The application process takes place entirely online through the DAAD Portal. Access to the portal opens at least six weeks before the application deadline.
Steps to follow
- Register in the DAAD portal.
- Generate and request the recommendation form (available only during the application period).
- Prepare and scan all documents in PDF format.
- Complete the online application form and upload all required documents.
- Submit the application online before the deadline.
Important notes
- Your application is valid only if you submit all required documents by the deadline.
- The portal closes at 24:00 hrs (CET/CEST) on the final application day.
- Incomplete applications cannot be considered.
- Submit early to avoid technical problems.
Contact and Further Support
GERMANY: DAAD Headquarters Address:
Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst e.V. (DAAD)
Kennedyallee 50
53175 Bonn
Germany
SOUTH AFRICA: DAAD Information Centre Johannesburg Address:
Jorissen Street, SM3151, Third Floor
Solomon Mahlangu House
University of the Witwatersrand
Johannesburg, South Africa
Postal Address:
PO Box 269
Wits 2050
Johannesburg
South Africa
- Telephone: +27 (0) 11 717 9334
- Email: daad@wits.ac.za
GHANA DAAD Regional Office Accra
20 Osu La Crescent, Nyaniba Estates
Accra, Ghana
Tel.: +233 261 09 09 39
Email: info@daad-ghana.org
Website: https://www.daad-ghana.org
The West Africa Regional Office (Responsible for Nigeria) Manages academic funding, queries, and student advisories for Nigeria, Ghana, and Cameroon through the DAAD Ghana Official Website. There’s no physical DAAD office in Nigeria.
Useful Resources
- DAAD Important Information for Scholarship Applicants
- DAAD section “Doing a PhD and Research in Germany”
- Research in Germany website
- GERiT – German Research Institutions database
- Overview of DAAD lecturers worldwide
There is no application fee. Late or incomplete applications are not accepted. You can take a look at How to Verify Scholarships, Fellowships, Grants, and Financial Aid Funding. You can also learn How to Avoid Scholarship Scams. Finally, you can Apply for Research Grants in Germany 2027.
Closing Remarks
The DAAD Research Grants in Germany provide an excellent opportunity for doctoral candidates and early postdocs to advance their research in a high-quality academic environment. Success depends on a strong research proposal, confirmed supervision in Germany, and a complete, well-prepared application.
Start your preparations early, secure a host supervisor, and submit a carefully organised application before the relevant 2026 or 2027 deadline.