DAAD Research Grants for Doctoral Candidates
German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) · All India
Amount
₹15.4 Lakh+
Deadline
6 Aug
Status
Closed
Provider Type
Study Abroad
Last Verified
2026-27
Status check
The previous application cycle (2025–26) closed on 6 August 2026. The upcoming 2026–27 cycle is expected to open soon. We will update the links here as soon as the official notification is released.
View active scholarships you can apply for today →About the Program
Comprehensive guide for DAAD Research Grants for Doctoral Candidates. Get eligibility details, stipend amounts, and registration instructions here.
Benefits & Financial Support
₹15.4 Lakh+
The scholarship provides a monthly stipend of 1,400 EUR for doctoral candidates. Additionally, it includes an annual research allowance of 460 EUR. Payments towards health, accident, and personal liability insurance coverage are also included. A travel allowance is available upon application, and under certain circumstances, additional benefits like monthly rent subsidies and family allowances for accompanying dependents may be granted. Funding for German language courses (online or prior to the research stay) and reimbursement of TestDaF or DSH examination fees may also be available. Most German public universities generally do not charge tuition fees. The estimated annual amount in INR is calculated based on 1,400 EUR/month stipend (16,800 EUR/year) + 460 EUR/year research allowance, converted at an approximate rate of 1 EUR = 89.5 INR.
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Academic Qualification:Applicants must have above-average qualifications and have completed a Master's degree, Diplom, or in exceptional cases, a Bachelor's degree, by the time the funding period begins.
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Time Since Last Degree:As a rule, applicants should not have graduated longer than six years before the application deadline.
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Doctoral Status (if applicable):If already working on a doctoral degree, the doctorate should not have started more than three years prior to the application deadline.
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Residency in Germany:Applicants cannot have been resident in Germany for longer than 15 months at the application deadline.
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Doctoral Project:The doctoral project must be hosted by a state or state-recognized German university or a non-university research institute.
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Supervision/Admission:Applicants must have a confirmed German supervisor or admission to a structured doctoral program.
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Nationality:International students from any country are eligible to apply, provided they meet specific country requirements.
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Language Proficiency:Proficiency in the working language (German or English) of the doctoral project is required.
Eligibility Criteria & Income Limit
- Education level: PhD
- Course / stream: PhD
- Income limit: No income bar
- Category: General, OBC, SC, ST
- Domicile: All India
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
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Applications are reviewed by an independent selection committee of specialist academics. The key selection criteria include:
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Qualification:Academic achievements, grade development, academic progress, language skills, and scholarly achievements such as publications or conference papers.
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Research Project Quality:Originality, topicality, relevance, choice of host institution, preparation, feasibility, and consistency of the work schedule.
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Applicant Potential:Career prospects, motivation for conducting research in Germany, relevant German language skills, and non-academic engagement.
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Shortlisted candidates may be invited for an interview.
Renewal Policy
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Funding is initially awarded for a maximum of three years
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Academic achievements are assessed annually, and if satisfactory progress towards successful completion of the doctorate is demonstrated, the scholarship will continue as planned
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An extension of the scholarship for a possible fourth year of funding can be applied for, allowing for a maximum funding period of four years.
How to Apply Online
Applications are submitted online via the official portal. Complete eKYC, upload scanned documents, and submit before the closing date.
- 1Check Eligibility
Verify that you meet all the specified nationality, academic, and language requirements.
- 2Find a Supervisor/Program
Identify a suitable doctoral program or an academic supervisor at a state or state-recognized German university or non-university research institute and secure their confirmation/acceptance.
- 3Prepare Documents
Gather all mandatory application documents, including your detailed research proposal, curriculum vitae, motivation letter, academic transcripts, degree certificates, and proof of language proficiency.
- 4Request Recommendation
During the application period, generate the recommendation form from the DAAD portal and send it to your university teacher/doctoral supervisor for completion.
- 5Submit Online Application
Access the online application form via the 'Application portal' link on the official program page (available only during the application period). Upload all required documents and submit your complete application by the deadline.
- 6Interview (if shortlisted)
If your application is shortlisted, you may be invited for an interview, which could be conducted online.
- 7Receive Decision
Scholarship decisions are typically communicated 3-6 months after the application deadline.
- 8Submit Certified Copies
Successful candidates may be required to submit certified copies of their documents.
Apply Links
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Official Last Date & Timelines
6 August 2026
Applications for funding starting in May 2027 close on August 6, 2026. A second application deadline for funding starting in September 2027 is March 11, 2027.
Dates are subject to change per the provider's official notification. Apply well before the closing date.
Common Questions (FAQs)
What is the duration of the DAAD Research Grant for Doctoral Candidates?
The funding is initially provided for up to three years and can be extended to a maximum of four years, subject to satisfactory academic progress reviews conducted annually.
Does the scholarship cover tuition fees for doctoral studies in Germany?
DAAD scholarships typically do not cover tuition fees, as most public universities in Germany generally do not charge tuition fees for doctoral programs.
Are there any age limits or restrictions on how long ago I completed my previous degree?
Applicants should generally not have graduated from their last degree more than six years before the application deadline. If you have already started your doctorate, it should not have begun more than three years prior to the application deadline.
What are the most important factors for a successful application?
Key factors for selection include above-average academic qualifications, a convincing and well-planned research proposal, strong motivation for studying in Germany, and the quality of your academic achievements and potential. Securing a confirmed German supervisor or admission to a structured doctoral program is also crucial.
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Legal Disclaimer
IndiaScholarships.in attempts to provide accurate information manually curated from official sources. Scholarship details, timelines, and eligibility can change without notice as per the provider's discretion. Applying for a scholarship does not guarantee selection. Always verify all information on the official German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) website before final submission.