The DAAD Doctoral Scholarship 2026 is a fully funded scholarship offered by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) for outstanding international graduates who wish to complete a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) at a state or state-recognised university in Germany, including the Technical University of Munich (TUM). The scholarship supports either an individual doctoral project supervised by a professor or participation in a structured doctoral programme. Funding includes a monthly stipend of €1,400, health insurance, travel allowance, research allowance, and additional benefits. Initial funding is granted for up to three years, with the possibility of a one-year extension following satisfactory academic progress.
About the DAAD Doctoral Scholarship
The DAAD Doctoral Scholarship enables highly qualified international graduates to pursue doctoral research at leading German universities and research institutions. Applicants may undertake an individual research project under the supervision of a university professor or enrol in a structured doctoral programme at a recognised German institution such as the Technical University of Munich (TUM).
The scholarship is available across all academic disciplines and supports research that contributes to scientific advancement and international academic cooperation. Depending on the research project, recipients may also conduct essential research stays outside Germany for up to one-quarter of the total funding period, provided these visits are included in the approved research plan.
Why Choose The DAAD Doctoral Scholarship?
This scholarship enables international researchers to complete a fully funded doctorate at one of Germany’s leading research universities.
You benefit from:
- Fully funded PhD support
- Monthly living stipend
- Health, accident, and personal liability insurance
- Travel allowance
- Annual research allowance
- Optional German language course
- Family and rent allowances, where applicable
- Opportunity to study at internationally recognised institutions such as the Technical University of Munich
- Access to Germany’s world-class research environment
Graduates pursue careers in:
- Academic Research
- Higher Education
- Government Research Institutes
- Industry Research and Development
- International Organisations
- Technology and Innovation
- Public Policy
- Scientific Leadership
DAAD Doctoral Scholarship Summary
- Host Country: Germany
- Host University: Technical University of Munich (or another state/state-recognised German university)
- Scholarship Name: DAAD Doctoral Scholarship (Doctoral Programmes in Germany)
- Study Level: PhD / Doctorate
- Scholarship Type: Fully Funded
- Study Mode: Full-Time
- Funding Duration: Up to 3 years, with a possible extension to 4 years
- Monthly Stipend: €1,400
- Eligible Applicants: International graduates from all countries
- Research Fields: All academic disciplines
- Application Mode: Online through the DAAD Portal
- DAAD Deadline: 24 September 2026
- Selection Basis: Academic excellence, quality of the research proposal, and research potential
Scholarship Benefits
The scholarship provides:
- €1,400 monthly stipend
- Health, accident, and personal liability insurance
- Travel allowance
- Annual study and research allowance
- Possible rent subsidy
- Possible family allowance
- German language course before the start of the programme (if applicable)
- Funding for essential research stays outside Germany (up to one-quarter of the funding period)
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must:
- Hold a Master’s degree, a diploma, or an equivalent qualification by the time the funding begins.
- In exceptional cases, applicants with an outstanding Bachelor’s degree may also be considered.
- Demonstrate above-average academic achievement.
- Have a well-developed doctoral research proposal.
- Obtain either:
- Confirmation of supervision from a German university professor (for an individual doctorate), or
- Admission to a structured doctoral programme in Germany.
- Meet the language requirements of the research project or doctoral programme.
Applicants should normally have completed their most recent academic degree within the last six years, and applicants who have already started a doctorate should generally not have been enrolled for more than three years at the application deadline.
Required Documents
Applicants typically need to submit:
- DAAD online application form
- Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- Letter of motivation
- Detailed research proposal and research timetable
- Academic transcripts
- Degree certificates
- Letter of supervision or admission to a structured doctoral programme
- Two academic letters of recommendation
- Language proficiency certificate (if required)
- List of publications (if applicable)
- Other supporting documents requested by DAAD
Application Process & Timeline
Follow these steps:
- Identify a suitable doctoral research topic.
- Secure a supervisor at the Technical University of Munich or another recognised German university, or obtain admission to a structured doctoral programme.
- Prepare your research proposal and supporting documents.
- Complete the online DAAD scholarship application through the DAAD Portal.
- Submit all required documents before the application deadline.
- Await the selection process and scholarship decision.
- If selected, begin your doctoral research in Germany.
