German Academic Exchange Service - Research Grants for Doctoral Candidates and Young Academics and Scientists (DAAD)

DAAD Research Grants in Germany

You will receive 1,400 EUR per month to carry out a research project in Germany. PhD students may receive funding for 2 to 12 months, whilst postdoctoral researchers may receive funding for 2 to 6 months. It is not possible to extend your stay. In addition to the monthly stipend, the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) will cover part of your health, accident and third-party liability insurance. If your stay lasts longer than six months, you will also receive a one-off research allowance of 460 EUR and, upon application, a flat-rate travel allowance. For longer stays, you can also apply for a rent allowance, family allowance if dependants are moving with you, and funding for a language course. A ‘green’ allowance is available for climate-friendly travel. If you have a disability or a chronic illness, you can apply for a grant to cover additional costs whilst abroad; applications are assessed on a case-by-case basis.

Who can apply

• Your career stage: You are currently studying for a PhD or completed your PhD no more than 4 years ago (early postdoctoral stage).
• Where you study now: If you are a PhD student, your PhD must be undertaken at an institution outside Germany and you must not have started it more than 3 years before the application deadline. You cannot apply if you are completing your entire PhD at a German university.
• Your host in Germany: You have agreed the details of your project with an academic supervisor at a German university or research institute. The research must be carried out in Germany.
• Time in Germany: As at the reference date, you had not been living in Germany for more than 15 months.
• Language: In humanities, social sciences and law you normally need at least good German. In natural sciences and engineering, good English can be enough if your host institute works in English.
• Field of study: Open to all disciplines. Special regulations apply to human medicine, veterinary medicine and dentistry.
• Nationality: Applicants of all nationalities are welcome to apply. The programme is aimed at international researchers based outside Germany.

How to apply

Applications must be submitted online via the DAAD portal, which will be activated at least six weeks before the application deadline. You must submit a CV, a personal statement, your own research proposal (agreed with your German supervisor), confirmation from your host institution, and your degree certificates and academic transcripts. An independent panel of academics selects candidates on the basis of their academic achievements, the quality of their project and their personal potential. Funding for the current round begins in 2027. Application deadlines are published in the second quarter of each year.