The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) offers research grants for German and international candidates who wish to pursue research in Germany. These grants support doctoral candidates and early-stage postdocs with generous funding for research stays in Germany’s top universities and institutes.
*Monthly Scholarship Amount: €1,400
*Additional Support: Funding for family, travel, housing, and other allowances.
About the DAAD Research Grants
This program provides an opportunity to carry out a research project in Germany during your doctorate or in the early postdoc phase.
* Open to research in life sciences, engineering, social sciences, humanities, and more.
* Connect with Germany’s cutting-edge research ecosystem while shaping your academic career.
Eligibility Criteria
Doctoral Students
* Must have started a doctorate no more than 3 years ago at the application deadline.
Postdocs
* Must have completed a doctorate no more than 4 years ago at the application deadline.
Other Requirements
* Special regulations apply for human medicine, veterinary medicine, and dentistry (check the DAAD website).
* Applicants must not have been resident in Germany for longer than 15 months at the application deadline.
What Can Be Funded
* Research project at a state/state-recognized university or non-university research institute in Germany.
* The project must be carried out in agreement with a scientific supervisor in Germany.
Benefits
* Monthly scholarship payments: €1,400
* Payments towards health, accident, and personal liability insurance
* Travel allowance
* Research allowance: €460 (for funding periods over 6 months)
Additional Benefits (for periods over 6 months):
* Monthly rent subsidy
* Monthly allowance for accompanying family members
Required Documents
1. Full CV in tabular form (max. 3 pages)
2. List of published works (max. 10 pages; mandatory for postdocs)
3. Letter of motivation (1–2 pages) explaining academic and personal reasons for the research project in Germany
4. Proposal (max. 10 pages)
5. Time schedule of planned research work
6. Proof of admission/enrolment for doctoral studies (for doctoral students)
7. Confirmation from academic host in Germany
8. Declaration from the supervisor in Germany on safety-relevant and ethical aspects
9. University degree certificates (Bachelor’s, Master’s, Doctorate) with final grades
10. One recent letter of recommendation (DAAD form) from a university teacher (doctoral thesis supervisor for doctoral students)
11. School leaving certificate with all grades
12. Proof of English language proficiency (if doctorate is in English)
13. All university certificates for annual examinations with grades
14. Valid ID (passport, ID card, driver’s license, or student ID)
15. Explanation of the grading system
Deadline: August 29, 2025
How to Apply for the DAAD Research Grants in Germany 2026
1. Visit the DAAD Funding Webpage
2. Register on the DAAD Portal and create an account to begin your application process.
3. After registering on the portal, complete the Online Application by filling out the application form in full
4. Upload Required Documents in the ‘Attachments’ section of the DAAD portal.
5. Wait for Selection Outcome
- Selection Date: February 2026
- Earliest Funding Start: May 2026