German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) - Scholarships for Artists: Study Scholarships (DAAD)

DAAD Study Scholarship for Artists

You will receive 992 EUR per month for a Master’s or postgraduate programme in Germany in the fields of fine art, design, visual communication or film. The funding runs from 10 to 24 months for a degree programme or an academic year (usually 12 months) for a supplementary course not leading to a qualification. In addition to the monthly allowance, you will receive a one-off study grant, a lump-sum travel allowance upon application, and contributions towards health, accident and third-party liability insurance. You will also receive free support with learning German: an online course and a paid language course before the start of your studies, provided that the course is taught in German. Depending on your circumstances, you may be eligible for a rent allowance, a grant for accompanying family members and a subsidy for climate-friendly travel. The DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service) does not cover tuition fees.

Who can apply

• Field: Your field of study is Fine Art, Design, Visual Communication or Film. Art History, Art Studies and Conservation are not included here (there is a separate DAAD programme for these subjects).
• Degree: You hold a first degree in a subject within the humanities, or will have obtained one by the start of the scholarship.
• Recent graduate: Your degree must not have been awarded more than 6 years ago at the time of the application deadline.
• Where you study: You are studying full-time and on-campus at a state or state-recognised higher education institution in Germany. Part-time, evening or predominantly online degree programmes are not permitted.
• Nationality: Applicants of all nationalities are welcome to apply. The programme is aimed at people coming to Germany from abroad.
• Time in Germany: As at the reference date, you had not been living in Germany for more than 15 months.
• Not a continuation: You cannot use this grant to continue funding a Master’s degree that you have already started in Germany.
• Language: You must be able to demonstrate that you have a command of the language in which your degree programme is taught at the time the scholarship begins. The certificate must not be more than 3 years old.

How to apply

You must apply online via the DAAD portal by 15 October. Following a formal review, you will upload your artistic portfolio to the DAAD media database. A panel of professors from German art, design and film schools will then make a decision based on your application documents and your portfolio. There will be no interview, and you will receive a response in around April.

How realistic are your chances?

This funding is limited to a few artistic disciplines and to graduates coming to Germany; consequently, the range of subjects is narrower than for open scholarships. As this is a well-known DAAD programme, competition is fierce. Your portfolio is key, not just your grades; therefore, a compelling, well-presented body of work is the foundation for your success. If you have recently graduated, your field of study is a good fit and your portfolio is compelling, your prospects are good.