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

What You Get

This DAAD grant gives you €1,400 per month to carry out a research project at a German university or research institute. Doctoral researchers can receive funding for 2 to 12 months; postdoctoral researchers for 2 to 6 months. The grant also covers health, accident and personal liability insurance, and a travel allowance.

If your stay lasts longer than six months, you also receive a one-off research allowance of €460. You can apply after your stay begins for an additional monthly rent subsidy and a monthly family allowance if close family members come with you.

Other possible extras include support for language courses (online and in Germany), reimbursement of TestDaF or DSH exam fees, a top-up for eco-friendly travel, and — if you have a disability or chronic illness — a contribution towards extra costs abroad.

What the Grant Is For

The grant funds a single, self-designed research project at a state or state-recognised German university or non-university research institute. You must plan and carry out the project together with a scientific supervisor based in Germany. The research must take place in Germany; research in other countries is not covered. Funding is planned to begin in 2027.

Who Can Apply

• Doctoral researchers: You are doing your doctorate at a university or research institution outside Germany, and your doctorate started no more than 3 years before the application deadline.
• Postdoctoral researchers: You completed your doctorate no more than 4 years before the application deadline.
• Residence: You have been living in Germany for no more than 15 months by the application deadline.
• Not eligible: You are doing your entire doctorate at a German university.
• Subject area: All fields are welcome. Special rules apply for human medicine, veterinary medicine and dentistry.
• Nationality: Open to applicants from all countries.
• Time limits: If your studies were delayed by pregnancy, childcare, caring for relatives, illness or disability, this can be taken into account — you can note it in the application form.

You can receive this grant once during your doctorate and once during your postdoc phase. It cannot be extended or split across separate stays.

How to Apply

1. Register in the DAAD online portal (opens at least six weeks before the deadline).
2. Request a recommendation letter by generating a form in the portal and sending it to your supervising academic.
3. Complete the online application and upload all required documents.
4. An independent selection committee of subject experts reviews all applications and sets the final funding period based on your work schedule.

Documents You Need

• CV (max. 3 pages, tabular format)
• Motivation letter (1–2 pages) explaining your academic and personal reasons for the project
• Research proposal (max. 10 pages), written by you, describing the project in detail
• Work schedule for the planned research
• Proof of doctoral enrolment (doctoral researchers only)
• Host confirmation from your German academic host, including confirmation of a workspace
• Supervisor's statement on safety and ethical aspects (DAAD form)
• All university degree certificates (Bachelor, Master, doctorate if completed) with grades
• Transcripts of records for Bachelor and Master studies with individual grades
• One recommendation letter on the DAAD form from an academic (doctoral researchers: from your doctoral supervisor)
• Publication list (max. 10 pages; required for postdocs)
• Optional: Evidence of employment or extracurricular activities

Documents in languages other than German or English must be submitted with a German or English translation.

Selection Criteria

• Academic record: Grades, academic progress, language skills, and any publications or conference contributions
• Research project quality: Originality, relevance, feasibility, choice of host institution, and fit with your overall doctorate (if applicable)
• Your potential: How the stay will benefit your career and personal development, your motivation, and extracurricular engagement
• Equal opportunities: The committee considers individual circumstances that may have affected your academic timeline