DAAD Research Grants in Germany 2026 for Doctoral and Postdoctoral Researchers

About Organization

The German Academic Exchange Service, known as DAAD, provides scholarship and funding opportunities for international students, doctoral candidates and researchers. Its scholarship database offers information on programmes supporting academic study and research in Germany.

About Post

The DAAD Research Grants in Germany programme supports researchers who wish to conduct a research project at a state or state-recognised university or a non-university research institute in Germany.

The research project must be carried out in agreement with a scientific supervisor in Germany. Doctoral students may receive funding for 2 to 12 months, while postdoctoral researchers may receive funding for 2 to 6 months.

Selected scholars receive a monthly scholarship payment of €1,400. The programme may also provide insurance contributions, travel allowance and other eligible benefits. For funding periods exceeding six months, a research allowance of €460 is available.

Eligibility Criteria

Doctoral candidates must be pursuing their doctorate at a university or research institution outside Germany. The start of the doctorate should generally not be more than three years before the application deadline.

Postdoctoral researchers can apply up to four years after completing their doctorate.

Applicants cannot apply if they are completing their entire doctorate at a German university. Applications may also not be considered if the applicant has been resident in Germany for more than 15 months at the application deadline.

Special regulations apply to applicants from human medicine, veterinary medicine and dentistry.

Who Can Apply

Doctoral candidates enrolled at a university or research institution outside Germany can apply for this programme.

Researchers who have already completed their doctorate and are in the early postdoctoral phase may also apply, provided the doctorate was completed no more than four years before the application deadline.

Applicants must plan an eligible research project in Germany in cooperation with a scientific supervisor at a German host institution.

Why Apply

The DAAD Research Grants programme provides international researchers with an opportunity to conduct an academic research project in Germany.

Selected applicants can receive €1,400 per month along with eligible insurance contributions and travel support. Depending on the funding duration and individual circumstances, additional benefits such as rent subsidy, family allowance, German language support and research allowance may also be available.

The programme can help doctoral and postdoctoral researchers strengthen their academic profile, develop international research experience and collaborate with German research institutions.

How to Apply

Applicants must complete the application online through the DAAD Portal. The application portal normally becomes accessible at least six weeks before the relevant application deadline.

Candidates must register on the DAAD Portal, complete the online application form and upload the required documents in PDF format.

Required documents include a curriculum vitae, motivation letter, research proposal, research schedule, relevant degree certificates, academic transcripts, confirmation from the academic host in Germany and a recent letter of recommendation. Postdoctoral applicants must also provide a publication list.

Applicants should ensure that all required documents are submitted before the applicable deadline. Incomplete applications cannot be considered.

Important Dates

Application Deadline: Depends on the applicant's country of origin and applicable DAAD deadline
Funding Start: Funding must begin in 2027
Application Portal Opening: At least 6 weeks before the applicable deadline

Applicants should select their status and country on the official DAAD scholarship page to check the exact applicable application deadline.

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