DAAD Cotutelle PhD Opportunities in Germany 2026/2027: Eligibility and How to Apply for Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst (German Academic Exchange Service). The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) offers the Bi-nationally Supervised Doctoral Degrees / Cotutelle programme for outstanding doctoral candidates who wish to pursue a doctoral degree under joint supervision between their home university and a university or research institution in Germany.
This programme provides flexible funding for research stays in Germany while allowing candidates to maintain strong academic ties with their home institution. It is among the Top 10 Travel Abroad Scholarship Programs in Germany. Funding is available for periods between 7 and 24 months, and successful applicants begin their funded research stay in 2027.
Programme Objective
The main goal of this scholarship is to support high-quality doctoral research that benefits from academic supervision in two countries. It strengthens international research collaboration and allows doctoral candidates to gain valuable experience in the German academic system while completing their degree.
There are two distinct pathways under this programme:
Option A: Doctorate with Bi-national Supervision (Sandwich Model)
In this model, your doctoral project is supervised by academic advisers at both your home university and a host institution in Germany.
Typical structure:
- You begin your doctoral studies at your home university.
- You undertake one or more research stays in Germany under the guidance of a German supervisor.
- You return to your home university to complete and defend your thesis.
- Your home university awards the doctoral degree.
This option is ideal for candidates who want international research exposure while remaining formally enrolled at their home institution.
Option B: Doctorate following the Cotutelle Procedure
In the Cotutelle model, the doctoral project is carried out jointly at both universities under a formal cooperation agreement signed specifically for your project.
Key features:
- You are enrolled at both the home university and the German university.
- Supervision takes place at both institutions.
- Upon successful completion, both universities jointly award the doctoral degree (or each awards its own degree based on the same thesis, depending on the agreement).
This model is particularly attractive for candidates seeking a dual or joint doctoral qualification recognised in both countries.
Who Can Apply?
Eligibility depends on the option you choose:
For the Sandwich Model (Option A):
- You must hold a Master’s degree or Diplom (in exceptional cases, a Bachelor’s degree may be accepted) by the start of the funding period.
For the Cotutelle Model (Option B):
- You must already be admitted to a doctoral programme by the start of the funding period.
Additional requirements apply. Applicants should carefully review the full application requirements on the official DAAD page, including rules on previous stays in Germany and the recency of their highest degree.
Countries That Can Apply for DAAD Bi-nationally Supervised Doctoral Degrees / Cotutelle
The Bi-nationally Supervised Doctoral Degrees / Cotutelle programme is not open to applicants from every country. DAAD restricts this scholarship to specific countries. Eligibility depends on your country of origin (the country from which you are applying).
Key Points:
- The programme is available to doctoral candidates from a wide range of countries in Africa, Asia, Latin America, Eastern Europe, and other regions.
- It is not open to applicants who are already long-term residents of Germany (more than 15 months at the time of application).
- Citizens of Germany and most Western European / high-income countries are generally not eligible under this specific programme.
How to Check If Your Country Is Eligible
The only reliable way to confirm is to:
- Go to the official DAAD Scholarship Database:
- Select your country of origin in the filter.
- Check whether the programme appears and whether applications are open for your country.
Eligible Regions (based on current and recent calls)
Applicants from many countries in the following regions can usually apply:
- Sub-Saharan Africa
- North Africa
- Latin America (e.g. Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Venezuela, and others)
- Asia (including South Asia, Southeast Asia, and Central Asia)
- Eastern Europe and some countries in the Middle East
Exact eligibility and deadlines can differ slightly by country or regional DAAD office.
What Can Be Funded?
- Sandwich Model: Research stays at a state or state-recognised higher education institution or non-university research institute in Germany as part of a doctoral programme based in your home country.
- Cotutelle Model: Research stays at a state or state-recognised higher education institution in Germany within the framework of a formal Cotutelle agreement.
Duration of Funding
- Funding is available for a minimum of 7 months and a maximum of 24 months.
- The scholarship can be used flexibly for one longer stay or several shorter research visits.
- Academic progress is reviewed annually. Continued funding depends on satisfactory progress toward completion of the doctorate.
- The exact length of funding is decided by the selection committee based on your research plan and study schedule.
- Visits to third countries (for example, for data collection) may be funded only if they are closely linked to the German research stay and do not exceed one quarter of the total funding period.
- Funding must begin in 2027.
Scholarship Benefits (Value)
During research stays in Germany, scholarship holders receive:
- Monthly stipend of €1,400
- Contributions toward health, accident, and personal liability insurance
- Travel allowances (upon application) for up to three outward and return journeys
- A research allowance of €460
- Travel and accommodation costs for supervising professors (up to 10 days) for monitoring progress or attending the final examination
Additional benefits (available for uninterrupted stays of more than 6 months):
- Monthly rent subsidy (subject to conditions)
- Monthly allowance for accompanying family members
- Possible subsidy for additional costs related to disability or chronic illness
German language support includes:
- Free online German language course after receiving the award letter
- Possibility of a preparatory language course (2, 4, or 6 months) before the research stay
- Allowance for a self-chosen German course during the funding period
- Reimbursement of TestDaF or DSH examination fees
Note: No monthly payments are made while you are at your home university. Benefits received from other sources may be partially offset against the DAAD scholarship.
Selection Process and Criteria
Applications are reviewed by an independent selection committee of academic experts.
Main selection criteria:
Qualification
- Academic performance and grade development
- Academic progress to date
- Language skills (German and/or English, depending on the working language)
- Relevant scholarly achievements (publications, conference presentations, etc.)
Quality of the Research Project
- Originality, relevance, and topicality of the proposal
- Quality of preparation and choice of host institution
- Feasibility and clarity of the study plan and timeline
- How well the German research stay fits into the overall doctoral project
Potential of the Applicant
- Career prospects and the importance of the research stay for future academic or professional development
- Academic and personal motivation for conducting research in Germany
- Non-academic skills, civic engagement, and personal strengths
The selection committee also considers equal opportunities. Applicants may provide relevant information in the application form.
Application Deadline and Timeline
- Applications are currently open.
- Deadline: 21 October 2026 (please confirm the exact date for your country of origin, as regional deadlines may vary slightly).
- Selection results are expected around February 2027.
- Funding begins in October 2027.
How to Apply for DAAD Bi-nationally Supervised Doctoral Degrees
Applications must be submitted online through the official DAAD portal. The portal becomes available during the application window (generally from 1 June until the deadline).
You will need to prepare a complete set of documents, including:
- Online application form
- Research proposal
- Detailed study plan and time schedule showing how time will be divided between Germany and the home university
- Curriculum vitae
- Academic transcripts and certificates
- Letters of recommendation / confirmation from both supervisors
- Proof of admission or enrolment (especially important for Cotutelle)
- Language certificates (if required)
Always consult the official DAAD scholarship database for the most up-to-date list of required documents and country-specific instructions.
Current Status (as of August 2026)
Applications are currently being accepted. The official DAAD scholarship database website is open till:
- Application deadline: 21 October 2026
- Selection decision: Approximately February 2027
- Start of funding: October 2027
Notes
- The application portal is open between 1 June and the stated deadline.
- Deadlines can vary slightly by country or region. Some countries or regional DAAD offices may have earlier closing dates (for example, end of August or early September 2026).
- Always check the exact deadline that applies to your country of origin on the official DAAD page.
Official Application Link
You can find the full details and apply here:
DAAD Scholarship Database – Bi-nationally Supervised Doctoral Degrees / Cotutelle
Other DAAD Application Courses
- DAAD Study Scholarships for STEM Disciplines
- Financial Aids for DAAD Research via Grants in Germany
- In-Region DAAD Third Country Programme Central America
- EPOS: DAAD Development-Related Postgraduate Courses
- DAAD In-Country/In-Region Programme Sub-Saharan Africa
- DAAD In-Country/In-Region Scholarship Programme – Europe
- Winning Strategy to Apply for DAAD Scholarship in Germany
- DAAD RISE Worldwide: Project Proposal for Research Groups
Concluding Remarks
Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst was founded 1925 in Heidelberg, Germany and funded by the Federal Foreign Office. It role is to funds study and research visits in Germany, promotes internationalization of German universities, and supports German studies abroad. The members are made up of German institutions of higher education and student bodies.
This programme is highly competitive. Strong academic performance, a well-structured research proposal, clear cooperation with both supervisors, and a realistic timeline significantly improve your chances. In case you’re applying late, always verify eligibility directly on the official DAAD page using your country of origin.
Start early: contact potential German supervisors, prepare a solid research proposal, and gather all required documents well before the deadline.