1. Is there an age limit for DAAD scholarships?
No, there is usually no fixed age limit. There are individual exceptions in programs in which this is explicitly requested by an international partner. Some scholarship programs stipulate that only a certain amount of time should have elapsed since the last degree was taken (see also question 2). For details, please refer to the respective Call for Applications at www.funding-guide.de under the heading “Application requirements.”
2. I finished my university degree or started my doctorate longer ago than the application requirements specify. Am I still eligible to apply?
Yes, an application may be permissible under the following circ*mstances which may have a delaying effect on studies or doctoral projects:
- pregnancy and childbirth
- care of children up to the age of 12 (maximum of three years per child)
- care of care-dependent relatives
- disability or chronic illness
- prolonged, serious illness
- compulsory military service
- if applicable, other circ*mstances.
The dates of birth of children and periods of childcare or care of relatives or longer periods of absence due to illness or disability should be indicated in the application form; the last free text field “Other comments / Information” is available for this purpose. DAAD reserves the right to ask you to submit appropriate supporting documents.
Proof of disabilities or illnesses can be provided in the form of a disability card or medical certificate. If possible, the medical certificate should indicate the periods of absence.
Information about studying abroad with a disability or chronic illness is provided in the following:Mobility with a Disability.
Other circ*mstances must also be justified and substantiated with supporting documents.
3. I have not completed my university degree at the time of application. Am I still eligible to apply for a scholarship?
Yes, in programs which require a first university degree, you can apply in your last year of study. You must then meet all the academic requirements set out in the Call for Applications by the time your funding period begins. Also, you can hand in your degree later; it must be submitted before the start of the funding period.
4. I’m already in Germany. Am I still eligible to apply?
Yes, if you have been in Germany for a maximum of 15 months by the time of the application and if the call for applications does not stipulate any other conditions.
5. I am not currently living in my country of origin. Am I still eligible to apply for a scholarship?
An application from your current country of residence is possible under certain circ*mstances:
- If you wish to apply for a short-term scholarship (up to 6 months), you must have lived and have been normal resident in your country of residence for at least one year at the time of application.
- If you would like to come to Germany for more than 6 months, you must also have obtained your last degree (e.g. Bachelor or Master) in your country of residence or obtain this degree by the time the scholarship period begins.
In any case, you can apply from your country of origin, even if you currently live in another countryand meet the above requirements. Your country of origin is usually the country in which you have spent most of your life and may differ from your nationality.
We strongly recommend that you seek information and advice to find out which scholarship programs are available to you. If you are unsure about your eligibility, please contact us at daad.newyork [at] daad.de.
6. I have dual citizenship. From which country should I apply?
Dual nationals must apply from their country of origin (usually the country where you have spent most of your life). If the requirements are met, an application from the current country of residence is also possible, as described above (A.5). Nationality alone does not entitle you to apply from a country you have never lived in and are not currently living in.
7. I am enrolled in a study program at a German university and aim to complete this degree in Germany, or I am completing a doctoral degree at a German university. Can I apply for a DAAD scholarship abroad?
Under certain conditions, foreign nationals may also apply for funding programs abroad
- You are enrolled in a study program at a German university with the aim of obtaining a degree from the German university, or
- You are doing your doctorate at a German university
and want do go abroad during this time. This regulation does not apply to international students/doctoral candidates who are already being funded with an “Incoming DAAD scholarship” in Germany.
In addition, persons of equal status to Germans according to § 8 Para. 1 Number 2ff. Paragraph 2, Paragraph 2a, and Paragraph 3 BAföG can apply. In this context, the wording of the law applies, which can be foundhere.
Furthermore, it is checked to what extent there is a connection to Germany and whether there is a justified expectation that you will return to Germany after the end of the temporary stay abroad.
A funding in your home country is usually excluded.
Programs for funding abroad for students in Germany are listed in our scholarship databasewww.auslands-stipendien.de.
8. Can I apply for a scholarship whatever subject I am studying?
Principally yes: DAAD offers many scholarship programs that are open to almost all subjects, although restrictions apply to some subjects (e.g. medicine). There are also subject-specific programs that are aimed at very specific subject areas, such as architecture, music or computer science. In the scholarship database, you can select the scholarships programs that are offered for your subject group.
9. What language skills do I need to apply for a scholarship?
Not all programs require a general minimum language level for funding applications. Depending on country of origin and scholarship program, however, certain language skills may be expected. You can find out which requirements these are in the “Application requirements” section of the Call for Applications. Please read these requirements thoroughly to find out what applies to your program.
For scholarships in Germany, however, the following generally applies: when you submit your application, you must provide proof of your current proficiency in the language of instruction (German, English, or German and English) in your chosen study program.
Students from the United States and Canada are not required to demonstrate English language proficiency.
If you would like to assess your German language skills yourself, you can take the free placement tests of e.g.Deutsche Welle or theGoethe-Institut.
10. My German language skills are not yet sufficient. Are there e-learning language courses that I can take in my home country to improve my skills?
Yes, you can learn German in online courses. For example, theGoethe-Institutas well asDeutsche-Uni Online (DUO) offer special online courses in German. For scholarship holders whose funding lasts longer than six months, DAAD will pay the costs of one DUO module.
Furthermore, you can find a wide range of free online content for learning German on Deutsche Welle at https://learngerman.dw.com/en/learn-german/s-9528
11. I am considering online/distance/part-time studies in Germany. Am I eligible for a DAAD scholarship?
No, DAAD scholarships are awarded to applicants wishing to complete a full-time course of study with compulsory attendance in Germany. This is why applicants wishing to take a blended learning or distance/e-learning program or part-time program (e.g. dual course of study) are not eligible for DAAD funding.
12. I already have a scholarship from the European Union, the DAAD, or another organization in Germany. Can I still receive a DAAD scholarship?
If you are already funded by DAAD, another German funding organization or another state agency in Germany, you cannot receive a scholarship from DAAD.
An Erasmus scholarship is not compatible with a full DAAD scholarship. Scholarship holders in the “University Summer Courses in Germany” and “University Winter Courses in Germany” programs as well as those who receive a partial scholarship from DAAD can also take advantage of ERASMUS funding.
