DAAD Research Grants for Doctoral Candidates

Eligibility Criteria & Income Limit

Mandatory Documents Checklist

• ✓Full curriculum vitae in tabular form (max. 3 pages)
• ✓List of published publications (max. 10 pages; mandatory for postdocs, highly recommended for doctoral candidates)
• ✓Letter of motivation (1-2 pages, stating academic and personal reasons for the planned research project in Germany)
• ✓Detailed research proposal (outlining objectives, methodology, significance, and a time schedule of planned research work)
• ✓Transcripts of Records (undergraduate and postgraduate programmes, showing individual grades)
• ✓All university degree certificates obtained (e.g., Bachelor's, Master's, doctorate). (If the most recent degree certificate is not available at the time of application, a provisional document must be uploaded, and the official certificate submitted before the funding start date)
• ✓One recent supporting letter of recommendation (on a DAAD-form, from a university teacher, or doctoral supervisor for PhD students)
• ✓Confirmation from the academic host in Germany (must refer to the applicant's project and guarantee a workplace)
• ✓Proof of admission to doctoral studies/enrolment for doctoral studies (can be submitted at a later date if not available at the time of application)
• ✓Proof of language proficiency (German or English, depending on the working language of the project; e.g., TOEFL, IELTS, TestDaF; not older than 2 years at the application deadline)
• ✓Declaration from the scientific supervisor in Germany on safety-relevant and ethical aspects of the research project (if applicable)
• ✓Module plan (for planned participation in a structured doctoral study programme)
• ✓Proof of existing contacts to the coordinator of the doctoral programme (for structured doctoral programmes)
• ✓German or English translations of documents submitted in a national language

Selection Process

Renewal Policy

How to Apply Online

Applications are submitted online via the official portal. Complete eKYC, upload scanned documents, and submit before the closing date.

• 1

  Identify the Right Programme

  Visit the DAAD Scholarship Database (www.daad.in or www.funding-guide.de). Filter by your nationality (Indian), academic level (PhD/Doctoral Candidates), and field of study. Carefully read the specific 'Call for Applications' for the program you are interested in, as eligibility and deadlines vary.

• 2

  Secure a German Supervisor

  For research and PhD tracks, it is mandatory to contact a professor at a German university or research institute and obtain a formal letter of admission or a confirmation of supervision for your doctoral project. Start this process early, typically 6-8 months before the application deadline.

• 3

  Prepare Application Documents

  Gather all necessary documents well in advance. These generally include: * The completed DAAD online application form. * A Curriculum Vitae (CV), preferably in Europass format. * A compelling Motivation Letter (1-3 pages) explaining your academic background, reasons for choosing Germany, your career goals, and how this specific program aligns with them. * A detailed Research Proposal (maximum 10 pages) outlining your research question, methodology, timeline, and the relevance of your project. This must be agreed upon with your German supervisor. * Certified copies of academic transcripts and degree certificates (Master's or equivalent), with an explanation of the grading system, translated into English or German if necessary. * Proof of language proficiency (e.g., IELTS/TOEFL for English-taught programs; TestDaF/DSH for German-taught programs), depending on the language of your chosen doctoral program. * Two letters of recommendation from university professors or academic references, ideally on official letterhead, and often using a specific DAAD reference form. * A copy of your passport. * An APS certificate, which is mandatory for Indian students applying to Germany.

• 4

  Submit Application Online

  Create an account on the DAAD Portal. Complete the online application form, upload all required documents in PDF format, and submit before the specific deadline for your program. It is highly recommended not to wait until the last day to avoid potential technical issues.

• 5

  Track Application Status

  After submission, scholarship decisions typically arrive 3-6 months after the application deadline. Be prepared to respond promptly to any requests for additional documents. If selected, your award letter will be crucial for your German student visa application.