DAAD Scholarships in Germany for Development-Related Postgraduate Courses 2027
DAAD Scholarships in Germany for postgraduate studies in development-related courses in 2027/2028. The DAAD Scholarship offers competent graduates from developing and emerging industrialising countries the chance to pursue postgraduate courses at German universities.
This initiative, funded by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), helps international professionals who desire to learn specialist knowledge and skills to contribute to the economic, social, and technical growth of their home countries.
The award is open to students enrolled in master’s and, in exceptional situations, PhD programmes in development-related fields. Eligible fields for the award include economics, engineering, development studies, agriculture, environmental sciences, public health, social sciences, education, law, and media studies.
About the DAAD Development-Related Postgraduate Scholarships
The DAAD Development-Related Postgraduate Courses (EPOS) scholarship scheme is open to competent professionals from qualifying developing and newly industrialised countries who wish to pursue a postgraduate qualification in Germany.
The programme is based on the premise that higher education and professional development can contribute to sustainable development.
Success can lead to a high level of expertise in the selected profession and to returning home with skills that can be used in development projects, public institutions, corporations, research organisations, and other sectors.
Who Is Eligible for the DAAD EPOS Scholarship?
1. Applicants Must Be From an Eligible Country
- Country-specific exclusions and requirements for the project apply. Applicants are typically expected to be nationals of a country on the appropriate OECD-DAC list of developing nations.
2. Bachelor’s degree
- Applicants usually possess at least a bachelor’s degree or equivalent, which involves at least four years of university study.
3. Excellent Academic Record
- Applicants should have demonstrated achievement well above average, normally in the top third of the graduating class.
4. Minimum of Two Years of Work Experience
- One of the most important elements of the DAAD EPOS scholarship is the previous work experience.
Applicants should have at least two years of relevant professional experience in the field after the first university degree.
Candidates may work in:
- Government
- Public administration
- Private companies
- Development organisations
- Engineering
- Healthcare
- Education
- Agriculture
- Environmental management
- Economics
- Social development
5. Career related to development
- Infrastructure development
- Public health projects
- Environmental programmes
- Agricultural development
- Education policy
- Economic development
- Urban planning
- Social policy
- Technology projects
6. Age of Academic Qualification
Eligibility Criteria for DAAD Development-Related Postgraduate Courses Scholarship
1. Economic Sciences and Business Administration
- Economics
- Business Administration
- International Business
- Development Economics
- Political Economics
- Finance and related fields
2. Development Cooperation
- International development
- Development policy
- Development cooperation
- Sustainable development
- International relations
3. Engineering and Related Sciences
- Civil engineering
- Mechanical engineering
- Electrical engineering
- Environmental engineering
- Infrastructure
- Water management
- Energy
- Technology
4. Regional and Urban Planning
- Urban planning
- Regional planning
- City development
- Sustainable infrastructure
- Spatial planning
6. Agricultural and Forest Sciences
- Agricultural sciences
- Forestry
- Food security
- Natural resource management
- Rural development
- Agricultural economics
7. Natural and Environmental Sciences
- Environmental management
- Climate change
- Natural resource management
- Environmental science
- Water resources
- Sustainability
- Renewable energy
8. Medicine and Public Health
- Public health
- Health policy
- Epidemiology
- Healthcare management
- Global health
9. Social Sciences, Education, and Law
- Sociology
- Political science
- Social development
- Education
- Public policy
- Law
- Governance
Benefits of DAAD Scholarships in Germany for Development-Related Postgraduate Courses
Monthly Scholarship Payment for Master’s Students
Master’s scholarship winners are offered:
- €992.00 per month
This grant is meant to cover everyday living expenditures while studying in Germany.
Monthly Payment for Doctoral Candidates
Eligible doctoral scholarship recipients are granted the following:
- 1,300 euros a month.
Health Insurance
- The scholarship includes donations to health insurance. This can help safeguard recipients from healthcare costs while they are in Germany.
Personal Accident & Liability Insurance
In addition, the scholarship holders can be supported in the following:
- Accident insurance
- Personal liability coverage
Travel Allowance
The scholarship may contain a condition of travel allowance.
Successful applicants will get a monthly scholarship payment, support for health and insurance, and a travel allowance. Depending on individual circumstances, there can also be additional financial assistance for accommodation and accompanying family members.
How to Apply for DAAD Scholarships in Germany for Development-Related Postgraduate Courses
Search for an Eligible Course
First, find a postgraduate programme in a development-related field that DAAD supports.
- Your academic background
- Your professional experience
- Your career objectives
- The programme’s development focus
- Language requirements
- Admission requirements
- Application deadline
Check the Course Requirements
- Academic qualifications
- Work experience
- Language proficiency
- Academic transcripts
- CV requirements
- Motivation letter requirements
- Recommendation letters
- Research proposal, where applicable
Prepare Your Documents
- University degree certificate
- Academic transcripts
- Curriculum vitae
- Motivation letter
- Proof of professional experience
- Letters of recommendation
- Language certificate
- Passport or identification documents
Explain Your Development Experience
Professional expertise in the area of development is of great importance to the DAAD EPOS programme.
In your application you should clearly state:
- Where you work
- Your current responsibilities
- Development challenges you have encountered
- Projects you have contributed to
- Skills you have developed
Relate Your Studies to Your Home Country
- Your organisation
- Your industry
- Your community
- Public policy
- Economic development
- Social development
- Environmental sustainability
Submit your application directly to the university or course.
- Submit your complete application according to the selected course’s instructions.
Meet the Course Deadline
The application deadline varies by programme.
For the 2027/2028 academic year, many deadlines fall around August to October 2026, while particular courses may have different dates.
Applicants should always adhere to the deadlines set by their chosen programmes.
DAAD Scholarship Application 2026 Deadline
The application deadline is for August and October 2026.
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